Barbie

Going into Barbenheimer weekend, it was always Barbie that I was most worried about. It had a lot going for it with Greta Gerwig directing and co-writing (she tends to track well with me), Margot Robbie in the titular role, Ryan Gosling as Ken, and lots of general goodwill from strong trailers and advertising. 

But there was always the chance it wouldn't come together. For Oppenheimer that would have been downright shocking (and spoiler, it's incredible) but for Barbie it always felt more like a roll of the dice.

Luckily, Barbenheimer ended up being one for the history books, especially if you were able to create a double feature of it. Barbie and Gerwig roll the dice, and hits complete aces, resulting in one of the most genuine and best films of the year. If you're tracking along, between this, Oppenheimer, and Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning, we're in the midst of what may be one of the best streaks in movie-going I've ever seen (and, to be honest, I'd throw in Indiana Jones too).

If you remember The LEGO Movie from several years back, Barbie is similar in a lot of ways, particularly about how smart they are, despite being films about toys. One of the biggest strengths Barbie has is knowing its strengths. Gerwig turns out to be one of them, effortlessly leading a much larger ensemble than she has to date and providing solid direction and vision to a film that needed both to be effective. The story and script are both simultaneously some of the strongest aspects of the film and where it struggles the most. It's smart in how it challenges both men and women, if not a little on-the-nose at times (I've already read several review-bombs from men who apparently missed the message...), but it sometimes stumbles in keeping up the pacing and being a little more...existential. Nothing that threatens to unravel the whole thing, but I couldn't help but think some of its deeper sequences with Barbie (Robbie) coming to terms with being a woman were a tad clumsy. And I hate writing that sentence because there are similar moments that are equally strong, such as Barbie meeting an older woman on a bench, that end up being some of its best. 

There'll be no "beaching off" here!

Small qualms with pacing and writing aside, Barbie is fun as hell. From the moment it starts, introducing its silly, ridiculous Barbie world to the final moments that have significant growth for our main characters, it's firing on all cylinders. Appropriately, it feels like its sub 2-hour run time and that's largely thanks to the laughs that pile up and some of the most pitch-perfect casting I've seen since...well...ever. Robbie is clearly perfect as Barbie, stunningly beautiful, and one of the best actresses we currently have. She's able to nail the comedy and the need for sporadic moments of emotion with ease. Her equal match is Ryan Gosling's Ken that, quite honestly, almost steals the entire show. Gosling has the more significant comedic lift required and he delivers in what is sure to be one of the more memorable performances of his career, which is saying something. He's so comedically endearing and entertaining that I'd argue his performance and Ken's script is the "secret sauce" pushing Barbie even further upward. Outside of our leads, Barbie continues to get it right with casting. America Ferrara, Issa Rae, Will Ferrell, Simu Liu, Michael Cera, Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, and the majority of the cast from Sex Education (much to my delight because that show is just the best), all provide laughs as various Barbies, Kens, humans, and oh yeah...Alan.

The start of an absolute bonkers sequence

Had this world not been convincing, we'd have had a much different film, but as I'm sure the entire world has noticed - it's turning pink. The sets, costumes, and production values are incredible and unique throughout and, yes, all dripped in pink. And - much to my delight - Barbie rocks its soundtrack. The "bespoke original dance numbers" absolutely SLAYYYY (let me have it) and there's more than one. It's not an outright musical by any means, but I'll be damned if I wouldn't watch a Barbie musical with this cast. Outside of that, the soundtrack is frequently a blast and well woven both in comedic moments (Lizzo's "Pink") and emotional ones (Billie Eilish's "What Was I Made For?" hits harder than it has any right to). 

Almost fainted this moment

For many days, if not weeks, Barbie will be thought of as the palette-cleanser to Oppenheimer (or if you're crazy, the precursor to it) and vice versa. Eventually, time will disconnect the gargantuan excitement of these two films and they'll have to find their own paths of aging in cinematic history. And what a delight to know that both will survive, and thrive. On different paths, no doubt, but Barbie will age with grace, consistently being a beacon of hilarious antics, perfect casting, and a strong female message that deserves to get revisited often. 

CONS

• Couple pacing issues throughout
• Good message that could be a bit on-the-nose
• Some of the more existential scenes feel a tad clumsy...

PROS

• ...while others can be some of the film's high points
• Gerwig's direction is confident and the script is something special, balancing a fun tale, LOTS of comedy, and a deeper meaning...all about a plastic toy
• Wow, I'm not sure there's ever been a film cast better. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are something of a revelation together
• Funnier than I expected and one of the funniest of the year. Many whole-hearted belly laughs
• Pink-drenched design and production values, with costumes that deserve Oscar nominations
• Weaves music in to great effect. Has comedic value - including many outrageously fantastic musical numbers - and dramatic heft
• Well-earned character evolution for both men and women, with a message that should hit with both sexes
• Entertaining from start to finish and never overstays its welcome

Rath's Review Score | 9/10