The Simpsons Outshines Barbie: A Must-See Movie You Won't Believe!

Highlights

Greta Gerwig's Barbie movie received critical and commercial success, but The Simpsons episode "Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy" tackled the same themes more effectively.

The harmful effects of Barbie dolls and patriarchal power are examined by Barbie, whereas The Simpsons episode highlights the impact of dolls and advocates for feminist values. The Barbie movie attempts to tackle gender inequality on a wider scale but fails to effectively convey a message of female empowerment. In contrast, "Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy" strikes a chord with its concluding moments, providing a hopeful outlook for transformation.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Barbie.

Greta Gerwig's Barbie film has enjoyed tremendous success, both critically and commercially. However, The Simpsons has already tackled its satirical message in a superior manner. The Barbie movie has been lauded for its bizarre humor, visually captivating pink tones, the stellar performances of its star-studded cast, and the boundless creativity of Gerwig and Noah Baumbach's screenplay. Yet, it falters in its exploration of themes and messages, using a world dominated by Barbies as a lens to examine sexism and the patriarchy. These same themes were handled with much greater clarity and impact in the iconic Simpsons episode "Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy" (season 5, episode 14).

Barbie, a stereotypical doll, embarks on a journey to the real world to meet the girl who has been playing with her. She aims to change her negative outlook by addressing issues like cellulite, anxiety, and mortality. Along the way, Barbie discovers that her representation in the real world has been harmful to women, setting unrealistic beauty standards and promoting narrow-minded stereotypes. Simultaneously, Ken realizes the power imbalance created by the patriarchy in the real world and brings this system back to Barbieland. Barbie must find a way to dismantle this new patriarchy and restore the authority of the Barbies.

In "Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy," Lisa's excitement soars when her favorite doll collection introduces a talking version of Malibu Stacy, the equivalent of Barbie in their universe. However, her spirits plummet when she discovers that the doll's dialogue lacks substance and empowerment. In fact, it perpetuates negative messages such as "let's buy makeup to please boys," "thinking too much causes wrinkles," and "I'm just a girl, don't ask me." Concerned about the potential brainwashing of young girls, Lisa seeks out Stacy Lovell, the creator of Malibu Stacy and voiced by guest star Kathleen Turner. Lisa persuades her to develop a new line of dolls that embody feminist values, named Lisa Lionheart.

"Lisa Vs. Malibu Stacy" Tackles The Same Themes As Barbie

Both Barbie and "Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy" aim to satirize the negative impact of Barbie dolls on the feminist movement. However, due to the backing of Mattel, the corporation that thrives on the objectification of women through Barbie, Barbie lacks the same biting critique as the Simpson's episode, written by an exceptionally talented group of satirists in television history. The episode was produced in response to Mattel's launch of the "Teen Talk Barbie" doll, which also spewed empty phrases such as, "Will we ever have enough clothes?" and "Let's plan our dream wedding!"

Barbie and "Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy" both emphasize the significance of providing young girls with strong role models. However, while The Simpsons acknowledges the fundamental flaws of the Barbie franchise and invents a new doll from scratch, Barbie is adamant about transforming herself into that role model. Both narratives address issues of body image, sexual harassment, and the challenges faced by women who aspire to be heard in society. Yet, The Simpsons succeeds in providing more concise solutions.

Why The Simpsons Version Is Better

Barbie is a fantastic movie, one of the most hilarious big-budget studio comedies in recent memory. However, it tries to tackle too much with its satirical messaging. It sets out to address gender inequality but ends up focusing mainly on the societal impact of the dolls themselves instead of the broader issue of sexism. The movie concludes with a clever punchline where Barbie's visit to the gynecologist's office showcases her excitement about being a real human being. However, it falls short of delivering a strong message of female empowerment. On the other hand, "Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy" effectively delivers its message.

In the final scene of "Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy," Lisa experiences the familiar sting of unchecked capitalism when the launch of Lisa Lionheart is overshadowed by a reissued Malibu Stacy doll that perpetuates stereotypical ideals, albeit with a new hat. Despite the disappointment, there is a glimmer of hope as one little girl chooses to buy a Lisa Lionheart doll instead of the new Malibu Stacy doll with a hat. Stacy Lovell remains cynical about her financial losses, but Lisa, filled with optimism, believes that reaching just one girl makes it all worthwhile.