** Caution. Spoilers Ahead **
Many across the country wait with bated breath for the release of Warner Bros. Pictures’ highly-anticipated Barbie movie this Friday, July 21, and it is well worth the wait.
As a viewer and Barbie fan, I didn’t know what to expect from a film based on my favorite childhood toy or how that would play out as a storyline. But even though I didn’t know what to expect, the film was not what I expected (if that makes sense) and in a delightful way. It’s a story that walks a “fun” line between a make-believe world and the real world, with its characters jumping from one to the other with relative ease. All the main characters embark on journeys to deal with some form of existential crisis or insecurity, but each goes about it in their own way. Although the film has a few serious moments sprinkled in, it is very much a comedy. More specifically, it is a satirical comedy, and it’s very well done. Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach wrote the script, with Gerwig also directing.
As for the characters, Margot Robbie is the true embodiment of Barbie in and out of the film. We have seen her really step into the character even outside of filming, donning many Barbie-doll looks at several events leading up to the film’s release. Her performance in the film is fun and fresh, and her comedic chops shine through. Her co-star Ryan Gosling also embodies his character, Ken, fantastically. The “Kenergy” (as it is now known) he brings to the movie is off the charts. Gosling makes great use of his musical theater talents for this role, putting on some of the film’s best musical and dance numbers. His character arc is one of the more fun ones to watch (his encounter with the patriarchy is hilarious).
There are many other Barbies and Kens in the film who also deliver great and unique performances with loads of fun Barbie- and Ken-energy. Issa Rae, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, and Kingsley Ben-Adir are some actors who play Barbie and Ken roles in the film. Other standout performances in non-Barbie and -Ken roles are Michael Cera as Allan, Ariana Greenblatt as Sasha with America Ferrara as her mom Gloria, Will Ferrell as Mattel’s CEO, and Helen Mirren as the story’s narrator is the cherry on top!
The Barbie world Gerwig creates in this film is truly a magical pink paradise. The details that went into creating Barbieland, everything from the large sets down to the small props, are impressive. Both the costumes and sets are beautiful.
As a whole, Barbie brings lots of good energy and vibes, which makes it the perfect summer movie to enjoy with friends and family.
You can catch Barbie in theaters.
