Barbie is a 2023 American live-action comedy film directed by Greta Gerwig and written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach. The film stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, alongside America Ferrera, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Alexandra Shipp, Will Ferrell, and Issa Rae. The film follows Barbie as she is kicked out of Barbieland for not being perfect enough, and she sets out on an adventure in the real world.
The film has been met with mixed reviews from critics, with some praising Gerwig’s direction and the performances of Robbie and Gosling, while others criticizing the film’s lack of originality and its reliance on outdated stereotypes.
Strengths:
- The performances: Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are both excellent as Barbie and Ken, respectively. Robbie brings a much-needed layer of depth to the role of Barbie, while Gosling is hilarious as Ken. The supporting cast is also great, with America Ferrera, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Alexandra Shipp, Will Ferrell, and Issa Rae all giving memorable performances.
- The direction: Greta Gerwig directs with her usual wit and charm. She brings a unique perspective to the material, and she manages to make the film both funny and thought-provoking.
- The visuals: The film is visually stunning. The sets are beautifully designed, and the costumes are eye-catching. The film is also full of Easter eggs for fans of the Barbie franchise.
Weaknesses:
- The pacing: The film is a bit slow-paced at times. The first half of the film is particularly slow-paced.
- The script: The script is a bit uneven. Some of the jokes fall flat, and the film’s message about female empowerment is a bit heavy-handed at times.
Overall, Barbie 2023 is a well-made film with some great performances. However, the film is not without its flaws. The pacing is slow at times, and the script is a bit uneven. Still, I would recommend this film to fans of Greta Gerwig’s work or anyone who is looking for a fun and thought-provoking film about female empowerment.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars