Email: neill@outloudculture.com
I was invited to the premiere of one of the most highly anticipated films of the year ‘Barbie’, from director and co-writer Greta Gerwig. It is of course a fantasy comedy about the worlds most iconic Mattel doll played by Margot Robbie, set in the infamous Barbieland, a world filled with Barbies and Kens.
‘Barbie’ is narrated by Helen Mirren, and she introduces us to the Stereotypical Barbie who begins to notice imperfections with herself, and travels to the real world with Ken (played by Ryan Gosling) for a journey of self-discovery.
Gerwig’s imaginative world is everything you could ask for in Barbieland, it’s colorful, vibrant and it’s full of joy and magic. Gerwig’s attention to detail is perfect, the characters clothes sparkle, they float through the air, and the sky is an uncanny shade of turquoise.
One of the biggest standout’s for me is the soundtrack, it’s full of catchy pop tracks that’ll easily have it making it’s way into the charts. It’s filled with some incredible artists including Charli XCX, Lizzo, and what I’m claiming to be song of the year, Billie Eilish’s “What Was A Made For?”. This song is absolutely impeccable in every way, from the writing to the production to the vocals, it’s flawless.
Of course then there’s the amazing Margot Robbie, who is perfect as Barbie. Robbie has showcased her comedic talents prior to this film, as we saw in ‘Birds Of Prey’, but in ‘Barbie’, she takes it to a whole new level. Ryan Gosling is an actor we haven’t really seen delve into this genre, but he pretty superb as Ken. The most entertaining character for me was weird Barbie played by Kate McKinnon, who’s been exiled to a house in the hills along with her pooch Tanner. McKinnon was hilarious, and my biggest criticism here would be, I feel she was a little under used.
The final act is a perfect way to end this film, and the point that film maker Greta Gerwig was trying to convey. Barbie is highly entertaining, with a stellar cast and pin point performances, it’s a movie that has made the world want to come and live in Barbie’s Dreamhouse.
‘Barbie’ is in cinemas now.
