Edgy, daring, witty and hysterically humorous, Barbie is the comedic blast this summer time actually wanted.
Directed by Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the stinging script with companion Noah Baumbach, the movie is the right visible interpretation of the Barbie world, all the way down to its main emphasis on pink and an absence of stairs within the Barbie Dreamhouses.
Gerwig doesnt serve up a two-hour business for Mattels flagship toy. Nope, it is a barbed satire that takes purpose at stereotypes, patriarchy, perceived gender roles and society generally. There may be nothing about this film that performs it secure as a way to not upset some Mattel CEO. In actual fact, the Mattel CEO character within the film is portrayed by Will Ferrell, in full bumbling-fool mode. (Aspect word: When Ferrell appeared onscreen, I heard a bunch of little youngsters within the theater yell, Buddy! in a nod to his character from Elf. Fairly cute.)
The title character is performed by Margot Robbie. By way of the numerous incarnations of this venture through the years, the likes of Amy Schumer, Gal Gadot and Anne Hathaway had been lined as much as play the half. Its a superb factor they exited, as a result of Robbie is cinematic gold because the doll that modified all of it. This isnt a surface-type efficiency; its by no means one-dimensional or doll-like. Its totally nuanced, multidimensional work thats humorous at each flipand it may, and may, get her Oscar buzz on the finish of the yr.
Barbies Ken isn’t any slouch both, personified by Ryan Gosling, who confesses to borrowing from him Mickey Mouse Membership days to signify Barbies most outstanding accent. Gosling is gonzo greatness right here, giving Ken a vacuous but earnest coronary heart, earlier than shifting into one thing altogether totally different because the screenplay steers into shocking territory. There are additionally a couple of musical Ken moments, together with the character showcase Im Simply Ken, and Goslings very humorous, very becoming Matchbox Twenty cowl.
There are a lot of different incarnations of Barbie and Ken within the film, portrayed by a forged that features Kate McKinnon (she performs a broken, bizarre Barbie), Issa Rae, Dua Lipa, Simu Lu, Scott Evans and others. Michael Cera will get his finest function in years as Allan (Kens pal!), whereas America Ferrera and Ariana Greenblatt are terrific as a mother-daughter group who wind up in Barbies orbit.
The film begins sturdy; the jokes come quick; and so they by no means let up till the very candy Billie Eilish music performs over the credit.
Laughing arduous is the mark of a superb comedy. Frequently having your thoughts blown by cleverness whereas having your heartstrings tugged greater than as soon as & these are the marks of a fantastic comedy. Barbie is, most positively, a fantastic comedy. Its additionally one of many summer times finest movies.
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Originally posted 2023-07-24 17:08:44.