When I went to watch “Barbie,” my expectations were high. The marketing for the film alone became its own phenomenon, building hype for the film by placing Barbie anywhere and everywhere. Even when I went to buy tickets for the film a week after its release date, theaters were completely sold out for several showings in a row. It was like “Barbie” had taken over the world.
When I walked into the theater, I couldn’t help but question whether it was possible for this movie to live up to the buzz built around it without there being at least some disappointment. However, “Barbie” did not disappoint in any sense of the word. In fact, it was the funniest movie I had seen in a long time.
I saw this movie in a sold out theater and everyone was laughing so much; you’d think we were watching a live theater production. Comedy is not an easy genre to write, but Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach pulled it off effortlessly with jokes so relatable it almost felt like they stalked the audience before writing the script. It has been a long time before there has been a movie as funny as “Barbie” on the big screen.
Besides the writing, another factor in making “Barbie” the comedy masterpiece it is was Ryan Gosling’s Ken. I’ll admit it, when pictures for the movie first came out last year, I was very skeptical of Gosling’s casting as Ken. Nonetheless, he instantly proved me wrong. His comedic timing and delivery were meticulous and genius, and it was clear he gave everything he had to this role. His performance was the highlight of the film.
Along with Gosling, Hollywood A-lister Margot Robbie also gave a performance that proved she was also perfectly cast. Not only does she physically look as if Barbie came to life, but she gave a very nuanced performance that balanced Barbie’s “bimbo” reputation with the true feminist attitude Barbie embodies.
While everyone in this film gave a great performance, Micheal Cera proved to be a surprising standout. His character, Allan, was hilariously funny and endearing, and he easily connected with viewers making him an instant fan-favorite. Allan is sure to be one of the most talked about characters in the film.
Another standout piece of this film was the nostalgia that went into its craft. As someone who grew up playing with Barbies, this film nailed every detail. It looked as if my childhood toys were brought to life. Throughout the film, I found myself recognizing specific Barbies I owned as a child.
Set design was a big factor in driving the nostalgic elements of the film home. The dream houses were the most realistic sets I’ve seen in a film, which is made even more impressive when realizing they used zero computer graphic imaging. It’s clear the set designers paid close attention to the dimensions and styling, even causing a global shortage of fuschia pink paint.
Lastly but most importantly, the messaging of “Barbie” was a welcome surprise in the film. I went into this film expecting strictly comedy, but I ended up getting a film with a lot of heart. “Barbie” delivers a message about women empowerment and feminism during the film that caught me off guard. The film easily balanced its comedic and dramatic elements, making a movie that’s light on the surface but rich in its quality.
Overall, “Barbie” is a ridiculously funny film with an unexpected dose of empowerment for the girls that grew up playing with the doll. This film is sure to go down as one of Gerwig’s best and is a must-watch for anyone who grew up with Barbie.
