MOVIE REVIEW: BARBIE

 

Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.

Director: Greta Gerwig

Cast: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Will Ferrell

Release Date: July 21, 2023

Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

Rated Rated PG-13 for suggestive references and brief language

Runtime: 1h 54m

Greta Gerwig's Barbie is a pastel painted surreal, meta comedy that's sharply written and perfectly cast.  Gerwig makes its clear early on that the film and story isn't going to be a simple bit of Mattel marketing with a rather wry opening that spoofs Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey.  Once the story starts in earnest and we are introduced to the colorfully constructed Barbieland utopia there’s a clear undercurrent of the kind of subversive storytelling, there's plenty that will go over younger kids heads, at play.  There are bits and piece that echo moments from Toy Story and The Lego movie, especially early on, but once the film finds its footing it reveals its own distinctive voice.  It’s a fanciful journey of self actualization as the film covers a bevy of themes from the nature of womanhood, gender roles, conformity and more along the way.  If this sounds like a lot for a film about a doll, it is but it’s a rather audacious swing from the filmmaker and the brand to go for something more substantial and meaningful than just a bit of brand cross promotion.  There's a lot to appreciate about what's going on behind the scenes in addition to what's onscreen.  Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the central roles are pitch perfect with both delivering fun performances from start to finish.  Robbie fills the titular role with general ease which shouldn't come as much of a surprise, but she does give the character a thoughtful earnestness that's endearing and makes the character easy to like.  Gosling is a real surprise though not because he's a stretch as Ken but because he shows off some real comedic chops throughout.  He proves to be a scene stealer for the majority of the film especially in the back half of the story.  The film's real secret weapon though is America Ferrera who gets a wonderfully rousing monologue which is effectively pointed and meaningful.  It’s got the kind of refreshing edge you wouldn't expect from a film about Barbie but that's what elevates the whole production to unexpected heights. 

B+