I certainly don't have an emotional attachment to the Barbie character or Barbieland by any means. But when news came out that Academy Award nominee Director Greta Gerwig was helming a film about the Barbie brand with Margot Robbie in the title role and Ryan Gosling as Ken it's almost impossible for me to not get a little intrigued or even excited. The marketing team has been on fire with this one which led me to have some sky high expectations when walking in, but even Greta managed to completely subvert them at every single turn. Gerwig takes the iconic IP and completely flips everything we’ve known about Barbie on its own head. The result is simply one of the most subversive, deliriously weird, visually dazzling, funniest, and purely entertaining major studio films I’ve seen in the past few years. For what easily could have been a cynical toy commercial in the wrong hands, Gerwig’s signature stamp and personal voice is able to shine through with flying colors.
Every single technical department across the board in Barbie deserves an A+. Gerwig does a wonderful job in bringing the world of Barbieland to life on the big screen as every single sequence is infused with so many vibrant energy and some of the most striking visuals that will be seen in any film this entire year. The production design is through the roof with this one and while it’s still very early in the year, I’d be shocked as hell if this film still isn’t in contention come Oscar season. I don’t have any prior attachment to the Barbie character nor her world, but hell even this made me want to live inside this world Gerwig creates and the world building is so inventive. The cinematography from Rodrigo Prieto is also some of the best work of the year and I really dug the musical score as well. And then this soundtrack also absolutely rocks and every single song fits so seamlessly with this film that it really just adds to the infectious fun. I will definitely be rooting for Ryan Gosling’s “I’m Just a Ken” all awards season.
As if anyone had any doubt the casting here proved to be absolutely spot on. Margot Robbie was essentially born to play the role as Barbie and this performance is yet another showcase that she has exactly what it takes to be a super star. Her comedic sensibilities prove to be inspired, but also she brings exactly the right amount of vulnerability this role required which makes this Barbie a fully well realized three dimensional character. It’s further proof of Robbie being one of the most versatile actresses we have working today. And as literally perfect Robbie is, it is indeed Ryan Gosling who just totally steals every scene as Ken. Gosling has always been a brilliant actor in any given role, but he especially doesn’t get enough credit for being a terrific comedic performer (see his roles in The Nice Guys and Crazy, Stupid Love etc). Gerwig’s material allows Gosling to fully embrace that comedic side and the result is honestly one of the funniest comedic performances I’ve seen in ages. Robbie & Gosling are also just a match made in heaven duo as the two bounce off one another flawlessly. There’s so many great performers here, but the other two big standouts to me are definitely America Ferrera (kills it with that monologue which will resonate with so many viewers) and Michael Cera. Cera might not get a ton to do, but he totally earned some of the biggest laughs from me as Allan.
As wonderful as the entire ensemble cast are, it really is the combination of Greta Gerwig’s & Noah Baumbach’s writing that brings this film to life in such a meaningful way. This script is unsurprisingly very meta and hilarious, but it is also not afraid to get a little weird and unexpectedly poignant. The film’s social commentary is definitely a bit on the nose, but it’s incredibly timely and even cuts deep. Gerwig embraces the camp factor why still crafting quite the engaging and emotional journey for Robbie’s Barbie that will surely resonate with many. It is such a deconstruction of the established franchise that made me quite amazed that Warner Bros and Mattel let Gerwig get away with this much, but I’m so relieved that she was allowed to embrace her own artistic vision for this world. For every goofy and creative gag to be found, there is also so much heart here.
There are just a few minor drawbacks I would say. There are a wide abundance of characters and famous performers here to the point that some definitely get better utilized than others. I wouldn’t exactly say this film felt too bloated, but there’s so much being thrown at the screen that it can get a bit overwhelming on the first viewing at least. Will Ferrell for instance is I think very funny and entertaining in this role but take out this character and I’m not sure the film changes much. Although his inclusion is surely important for the film's central themes. The fish out of water element with Barbie & Ken in the real world is very funny, but I think I would have liked to spend even a little more time with these two in the real world.
Despite some of these small criticisms, I had an absolute blast living inside Greta Gerwig’s world of Barbie which lives up to its promise. It’s one of the most joyful, heartfelt, and wildly imaginative reinvention of an established IP that we’ve seen in many years. Gerwig takes so many big swings for the fences that pay off to great impact and when this film explodes at the box office the way it will I’m going to really need more major studios in Hollywood taking notes so we can get many more ambitious blockbusters of this scale. This is easily one of the more entertaining films I’ve experienced in recent years and I already know it’s only going to get even better on new viewings. I’m definitely not the target audience necessarily, but even I'm already itching to go back into the world of Barbie again and I can’t wait to during this historical Barbenheimer weekend. I recommend those on the fence to give this movie a chance because you just might be surprised.
Final Grade: A-