It was hard to know what to expect from Greta Gerwig’s curious new film based on Mattel’s best-selling Barbie doll. Having co-written with co-star Noah Baumbach, the two indie mumblecore poster children seemed like an odd choice for this giant studio-led film. The teasers teased a big, bold and colorful bit of escapist fun, and thankfully after watching the film, ‘Barbie’ has emerged as one of the most fun and entertaining films of the year.
Incredibly self-aware yet managing to maintain a genuine sense of wonder and innocence, ‘Barbie’ is a stunning first choice for Mattel to stamp their cinematic future. With the likes of Hasbro, Nintendo and Sega all having successfully ventured into the movie world, Mattel has put a big spin on ‘Barbie’. This movie is not aimed at young children but it is aimed at many generations who love the toy. That’s not to say it’s adulterous – it’s a fun, colorful and vibrant film. Barbie is a film for a more mature audience who can appreciate the subtleties of comedy, but still has that magical innocence at heart.
The plot involves loving Barbie, living in her own perfect world. Along with the other Barbies and the other Kens, the stereotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie) is living the dream. Lately, however, she has been facing some existential challenges that have forced her to reevaluate some things. So after consulting Barbie (Kate McKinnon), who sees it all and gives her sage advice, she makes the choice to go to the ‘real world’ – a place she believes is as magical as her own. But soon Barbie realizes that all the positive vibes she thought she gave the world didn’t make the ‘real world’ a better place.
Margot Robbie is truly the perfect choice to bring this wonderful doll to life. Her performance is sensational, the famous doll gives her real personality and authenticity. She is amazing in all her performances. Her comedic timing is superb, and she handles the bright scene with great energy and a wonderful eye for heart. When she’s having a breakdown, she laughs a lot – there’s a bit in the film where she’s at her worst and the ‘narrator’ (Helen Mirren) drops one of the funniest and most genuine jokes you’ll hear all year! Margot Robbie is the shining light of this film.
Ryan Gosling steals all the scenes as the trailers suggest. His portrayal of Kane is hilarious and Margot Robbie’s performance is mixed with a great deal of hope, desperation and inadequacy. It’s seriously one of Gosling’s best performances to date, and a very balanced take on all the craziness on screen. He nails it – especially in the big, big musical numbers of a Broadway show that has all the pizzazz.
The rest of the supporting cast is brilliant. Will Ferrell, Helen Mirren, Emma Mackie, Nicola Cullen, Ritu Arya, Michael Cera, Simu Liu, Alexandra Shipp, Kate McKinnon, Kingsley Ben-Adr, Ria Perlman, Issa Rae, America Ferrera, John Cena, Nkuti Gatwa, Due Dipatwa, Will Ferrell, Helen Mirren, Emma Mackey, That’s not a fever dream, that’s an actual cast list, which brings all the glitz and glamor to the show. This ‘Barbie’ cast has plenty of that wow factor.
The set pieces are powerful, the music is great, the script is tight and engaging, the visual style of the film is amazing (thanks to Greta Gerwig’s stunning vision for this project) and with Margot Robbie in electrifying form and Ryan Gosling in what is sure to be one of his greatest performances, ‘Barbie’ should easily be one of those movies.
take on Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Helen Mirren, Emma Mackie, Nicola Cullen, Ritu Arya, Michael Cera, Simu Liu, Alexandra Shipp, Kate McKinnon, Kingsley Ben-Adr, Rhea Perlman, Issa Rae, America Ferrera, John Cena, Nkuti Gatwa, Dua Demetri. Director: Greta Gerwig Secretary: Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach Certificate: 12A Duration: 114 min Released by: Warner Bros Official date: 21St July 2023
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