Barbie and Oppenheimer were the most hyped films, released on July 21, 2023, both the movies
releasing on the same date. The viewers were pleasantly surprised by Barbie and its great story line. On
the other hand, they found Oppenheimer jaw-dropping- “Its not just a movie, it’s a spectacle.”
Barbie revolves around the themes of friendship, self- discovery and adventure. The characters learn
important life lessons like the value of team work, believing in yourself and having self-confidence. Barbie
is heavily focused on women empowerment and feminine energy, but it also makes fun of men in the
worst way possible which is not at all fun. In the movie, Barbie and her friends face conflicts that test their
friendship but the best part was that they were getting closer, sticking to each other and believing in each
other while sorting the conflicts. The movie has lessons for the various Barbies and Kens.
In this movie it is shown that the characters suffer from lack of confidence, insecurity and self- doubt. But through difficult and adventurous journeys the characters discover their strengths and learn to have self-
confidence. The characters learn to appreciate and accept each other’s talents and unique qualities. Barbie and her friends showed empathy and kindness towards each other no matter what the situation was, thus teaching the viewers a life lesson- importance of treating others with kindness, politeness and
understanding. The characters also teach the viewers the importance of critical thinking and creative
problem solving. Barbie and her friends show courage in the face of adversity, inspiring viewers to be
brave and confident, stand up for themselves and achieve what they believe in.
Oppenheimer revolves around the work of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who played a critical
role in the evolution of the atomic bomb during World War II. The movie covers the events in
Oppenheimer’s life and his involvement in the Manhattan project, his connection with ethical implications of atomic weapons and the post – war struggle with various consequences. The movie also shows Oppenheimer’s interactions with other scientists, such as Albert Einstein. The movie explores the philosophical and moral dilemmas faced by Oppenheimer. It explores the themes of scientific achievement, the human cost of war and moral responsibility.
The movie emphasizes the importance of scientific and technological advancements. Oppenheimer
faced both benefits and harms with his scientific discoveries. By Oppenheimer’s journey, the viewers
learned about far-reaching consequences of actions and decisions. An atomic bomb made by Oppenheimer underscores the theme of responsibility and power.
Barbie and Oppenheimer are both fantastic movies. Barbie shows entertainment for the audience
through colorful animation, storytelling and sending positive message to the viewers. These kind of
movies share the themes of friendship, having self- confidence, believing in yourself and feminine
energy. Oppenheimer gives us a look into the complexities of science, human nature and ethics, through
nuanced character development in the film. It showcases the themes of scientific innovation and ethical
responsibility.
Barbie topped the race with a difference of 22k likes over Cillian Murphy’s Oppenheimer. The comments
on both of the films on online video sharing platforms were 24,972 and 23,538 respectively, stated the
data. Both these films were released unintentionally on the same date, giving rise to the cultural
phenomenon of ‘Barbenheimer’, encouraging the audiences to see both films as a double feature, though the films differ in themes drastically. Polygon described the two films as “extremely opposites”, and Variety called the phenomenon “the movie event of the year”.
Written by- Mahi Patel | Edited by- Apurv Nayak
