Barbie
There was a tweet that went viral over the opening weekend that said "Barbie is the most anti-men thing ever made". And I feel that this type of take comes from the same fragile, confused people that don't understand that "American Psycho" is parody.
"Barbie" knocks it out of the park from the opening minutes with some of the best set and costume design seen in a movie in recent memory. The Barbieland sets feature dream houses, Malibu Beaches, and a deliciously drawn background featuring one of the best Mount Rushmore change up jokes in movie history. Regardless of what you actually think of the movie, it's absolutely undeniable that the set and prop departments achieved a magnificent feat of imagination. I will honestly be shocked if this movie doesn't win any technical Oscars.
It drips style throughout its costumes and sets, but also its score. Featuring several original songs, including an absolute hilarious banger sung by none other than Ryan Gosling. Gosling, by the way, is so good as the partner to Margot Robbie's "Barbie". He plays the, let's say "main Ken", as there are literally dozens of other "Kens". He does so with such an oblivious, benign, air headed desire to be seen by Barbie, that when events transpire that I won't describe for spoiler sake happen, his character arc peaks and valleys like an EKG of a heart attack. It's so good.
The titular hero of our film, "Barbie", is played as perfectly as you could imagine by Margot Robbie. She shares the same oblivious nature as Gosling's "Ken" at first, but then goes on a wildly different journey of self discovery. She hits all the comedic beats on cue the way you'd expect a seasoned comedy actor to, but she also has the grit to make the emotional moments carry all the weight of the scene. It's a nuanced and amazing performance that will keep Robbie as a top tier, A list actress for the rest of her career. She's had huge roles before like "Harley Quinn", but this is the role that will make her name known among just about everyone on Earth.
The story is incredibly imaginative, yet simple. It would have been easy to make a "Barbie" movie as just another throwaway "Toy Story" wannabe (or worse). But the direction they take it is so daring and different that it deserves all the praise it's receiving. And although it's a simple premise, the dialogue is so witty and so well executed that it's an enjoyable ride that flies by and has you laughing aloud nearly every minute. There were a few laughs that might be in the "all time" high for me at a movie theatre, honestly. Some people seemed confused about who this movie is for, considering the subject matter, but this is an adult comedy through and through. Sure, kids can enjoy it too, but so much of it is aimed squarely at adults.
Before I close I have to address the elephant in the room: Is “Barbie” anti-man, feminist propaganda? I can say with absolute certainty that it is no more anti-man than “Married With Children”, “Always Sunny In Philadelphia” or “Anchorman” is anti-woman. Get my point? It's COMEDY. It's pure comedy. It points out the hypocrisies that exist in our world undeniably, and if you aren't aware or want to act like these things don't exist you're simply blind. Willingly or not. “Barbie” supports individuality, finding an identity and being the person you desire to be beyond your gender barriers. Honestly, the message is perfect. If you're too mentally weak to take a little bit of lambasting, done hilariously might I add, then why did you even go to a movie draped in pink, about the most famous female toy of all time?
9/10
