Barbie Movie Review

From The Lego Movie to Transformers, there are very few IPs that haven’t been converted into feature films. The latest product to hit the silver screen is Barbie, arguably one of the most popular toys to ever hit the market. Far from a soulless corporate husk, Greta Gerwig’s film adaptation is an enjoyable flick with great self-awareness and clever writing.

In the idealised world of Barbieland, the dolls lead the way in every respect. Like a child’s imagination come to life, they can be anything they want to be with every day falling into the same perfect routine. Meanwhile the Kens stand on the side-lines, their roles firmly established in this land of pink hills and fancy houses. When our leading doll (Margot Robbie) starts to lose her flawless features, she ventures into the real world and back again, trying to fix herself and coming across both corporate and personal perspectives. Meanwhile Ken (Ryan Gosling) is exposed to more questionable views and starts to shape the world to his own misguided liking. With plenty of jokes and character interactions, Barbie lays on a meta-narrative seamlessly. Our lead characters have plenty of humorous reactions while also learning a lot about themselves and their place in both worlds. Some comments have been made about the film’s overt political undertones with feminism and patriarchy clashing throughout. While the story is heavily focused on the former, it ensures that the Kens of the world aren’t left behind. At both the start and the midway point, the film shows how domination of one gender over another can only lead to people feeling bitter and isolated. Everything is tied off at the end with two very honest and frank conversations that go beyond the imaginary realm at the centre. One downside is how Mattell, the corporation behind Barbie is featured. Allowing this company to be parodied through Will Ferrell’s CEO character is a good choice, but Mattell does feel like an afterthought by the conclusion.

The casting for Barbie is brilliant from top to bottom; Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are both perfect picks for Barbie and Ken. They are both so animated and energetic in their performances, driving the comedic elements at every turn. On top of that, their music and dance numbers are superb; they both commit wholeheartedly to the whimsical, idealistic tone. Even when we swap to other Barbies and Kens (played by likes of Kate McKinnon, Alexandra Shipp, Simu Liu and John Cena to name a few), they all exude the same infectious energy. Will Ferrell and his cohort offer more laughs in their real world scenes and Michael Cera is good but underused as Allan. He’s mostly there to offer some amusing commentary on the two main characters and nothing more. Also from the real world are Gloria (America Ferrera) and her daughter Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt) who add in a bond between mother and daughter alongside a guiding force for Barbie. Every member of the cast goes all in on the fun factor.

Barbie is easily the most vibrant and colourful release you’ll see this summer. When we’re placed into Barbieland, the bright scenery and dazzling lights will immediately make an impression. The sets, costume designs and the way Barbie transitions between worlds are all spellbinding. This land of toys is constantly emphasised with the protagonist walking on tip-toes, pretending to drink and shower and bumping into fake waves on the beach. By contrast, our own world is often drained of colour, especially in the cramped office cubicles of Mattell. The presentation is made even better with the flashier moments. Barbie gets a disco scene and Ken gets a power ballad; both look and sound fantastic with the choreography and camerawork being executed flawlessly. Some of the pop culture references include 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Matrix and other classic films with some satirical nods to both the real life toy and corporate advertising. All told, the presentation is stunning.

I went into Barbie feeling quite sceptical, wondering what kind of story they would get out of the popular toy. I’m happy to report that the meta-narrative, energetic performances and vibrant colours come together to make an incredibly entertaining film. The corporate suits and Michael Cera are fairly insignificant but everything else is well worth the price of admission.

Rating: 4/5 Stars (Great)