The highly anticipated Barbie movie, directed by Greta Gerwig, hit theaters worldwide on July 21st, boasting an impressive cast including Margot Robbie as Barbie, Ryan Gosling as Ken, and a lineup of other A-list stars. The animated adventure has received praise from both reviewers and audiences for its delightful and empowering portrayal of the beloved dolls.
However, not everyone was enamored with the movie, particularly conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro. In a peculiar 43-minute-long YouTube rant, the 39-year-old attempted to incite protests against the PG-13-rated film. Shapiro claimed that he was “dragged” to see the movie by producers and found it to be “one of the most woke movies” he has ever seen.
He expressed his dissatisfaction with Ken’s portrayal, which he deemed “annoying and ridiculous,” and criticized the inclusion of a trans woman character in the film. Shapiro accused Gerwig’s direction of intentionally dividing men and women, labeling it as “angry feminist claptrap that alienates men from women.”
To add theatrics to his review, Shapiro featured a bizarre segment in which he set a Barbie and Ken doll on fire in protest. Social media users promptly responded, roasting Shapiro’s actions and questioning the amount of money he spent on his Barbie-burning protest.
Despite Shapiro’s disapproval, Barbie is expected to make an impressive $300 million internationally, making it the most successful opening for an original non-superhero film ever. Margot Robbie, who predicted the movie’s massive success, likened its potential to the prosperity of Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, drawing inspiration from successful pairings of big ideas with visionary directors.
In her pitch to Mattel and Warner Bros., Robbie highlighted the studios’ triumphs when taking bold steps with projects like dinosaurs and Spielberg. She saw Barbie as another promising venture with the collaboration of Greta Gerwig, confidently stating, “And now you’ve got Barbie and Greta Gerwig.”
As the controversy surrounding the film and Shapiro’s protest continue, Barbie’s box office success remains undeniable, captivating audiences with its imaginative storytelling and star-studded cast.
