★★★
The highly anticipated fantasy comedy film Barbie is both exactly what audiences expected but also brings unexpected emotions, thought provoking questions, and a whole lot of laughter. Directed by Greta Gerwig (Ladybird) and written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale), Barbie stars Margo Robbie (I, Tonya), Ryan Gosling (La La Land), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), America Ferrera (How to Train Your Dragon), Ariana Greenblatt (65), Connor Swindells (Emma), Will Ferrell (Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga), Helen Mirren (The Queen), Issa Rae (The Lovebirds), Hari Nef (The Idol), and Kate McKinnon (Ghostbusters).
In Barbie, the titular character (Robbie) is living her best life in Barbieland. She is perfect, with flawless friends, and a Ken (Gosling) who longs for her attention every day. That is, until one day she is overcome with feelings of existential dread which stuns her and turns her entire world upside down. To find the answers, she must go into the Real World to find the girl who’s playing with her. Can she find her in time, before Barbieland is thrown into complete chaos? Will she be able to wear heels again? Will Ken ever get to ‘beach’?
Is it wacky? Yes, and in the best way possible. Barbie pushes viewers’ presumptions to the brink without going overboard and utilizing too many childish slapstick gags. There is also a sense of self-awareness in the film, which Baumbach and Gerwig toy with in a fun and whimsical way by breaking the fourth wall. This adds a nuance to the comedy by intertwining silly jokes and more complex and intellectual humor.
The acting is amazing with everyone involved giving hilarious and genuine performances throughout. Leads Robbie and Gosling give it their all. Their sincerity invokes laughter, nostalgia, and—at times—tears. The costume department and set designers should also be commended. Both the costumes and the sets do a fantastic job immersing the audience in Barbieland.
The inspired opening sequence is an homage to both Barbie and 2001: A Space Odessey. It sets the tone as satirical with a smart and sassy narrator (voiced by the talented Helen Mirren) and appeals to the audience’s memories of playing with their favorite childhood toys. It also hints that the rest of the film will be both clever and unpredictable.
But while the movie itself is whimsical and the message is strong, it is explained ad nauseam and comes off as a bit preachy. The themes of toxic masculinity and the dangers of patriarchy are given special importance. However, the caricatures of the Mattel executives—while humorous—fall flat because of the lack of depth and development. Robbie’s Barbie is the only character who uses all of the lessons she’s learned (mainly feminism, idealism, and finding a sense of purpose) to grow. In addition to these are messages about humanity and specifically what it means to be human; that is, taking the good with the bad, and how that can help people gain strength.
It is a fun movie to watch for the nostalgia, for laughs, and for the whimsy that only Barbie can bring. It plays with stereotypes, as well as the audience’s memories and heartstrings. However, if viewers examine the messages closely, they may find that Gerwig tried to put a little too much into a film about an iconic childhood toy. Nonetheless, Barbie is a rowdy time and sends a good message, even if it feels both spoon-fed and a bit watered down.
