We've seen the memes, we've heard the songs and at long last we've seen the movie.

After many months of buildup, Barbie is finally here.

The film stars Margot Robbie as one of many Barbies and Ryan Gosling as one of many

Ken's.

And does the film live up to all the hype?

I'm Linda Holmes. And I'm Stephen Thompson. Today we are talking

about Barbie on Pop Culture Happy Hour from NPR. Joining us today is our fellow co-host, Aisha Harris.

Hey Aisha. Hi, Barbaraisha. Hi, Barbie Stephen,

Hi, Barbie Linda.

Hi, Barbie Aisha.

Also with us is film critic and culture journalist,

Badatry D. Chaudry.

Hey, Badatry.

Hi, Barbie.

Hi, Barbie. Hi Barbie. So the idea for a live-action Barbie movie has been bouncing around for more than a decade now and the dolls themselves have been part of the pop cultural landscape since the late 1950s.

So, Barbie, the movie, has been a long time coming.

But in many ways, it feels like a film that could only exist in 2023.

It's an extremely self-aware vision of Barbie, complete with commentaries on the patriarchy

and the unreasonable expectations placed on women in modern society.

The film features many Barbies and many Ken's, but the central conflict arises when the most

stereotypically blonde and perky Barbie, played by Margarabi, finds herself facing an existential crisis.

She may live in her dream house in Barbiland, but she thinks about death, her heels suddenly

...