Movie Review # 614: Barbie (2023)

Well, everyone, surprise, surprise, we have yet another session of movie reviewing coming up. This time, we are going to be reviewing one of two films that were released just this past Friday, on the 21st of this month. Oh, but that’s not all. No, no! This time, it is part of a certain Internet meme that has been going around since shortly before they were both released. That’s right! We are talking about the Barbenheimer joke that has been going around due to the fact that both Barbie, and Oppenheimer were both released on Friday, July 21st, 2023. Not to mention that apparently, many people, particularly those who were/are AMC stubs booked tickets to see both films this past weekend. FYI, I did not see both films, but only Barbie. However, Oppenheimer is on the docket for sometime within the next couple weeks, if not sooner. Until then, here is my review for the new Warner Bros. film that stars people like Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling, the one, and only, Barbie.

Plot: In a fictional land called Barbie Land, Barbie (sometimes also known as Stereotypical Barbie) is enjoying the high life with being able to stand on her tiptoes, being able to have enjoyable meals, partying with other Barbie characters, and more. But one day, when her feet go flat, and other things go awry in her life, she seeks help from Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon), a Barbie that was exiled from Barbie Land after going through a similar fate as Barbie. After consulting with the her, Barbie, and Ken (Ryan Gosling) head to Los Angeles, California to find out the source of her change? Will they succeed, and will things go back to normal for Ken, Barbie, and th e rest of Barbie Land?

So, was this a good film overall? Was it worth the hype that this film, along with Oppenheimer, have been getting this past week, and likely will be getting in the weeks to come? Well, it’s a good film, but does have a couple flaws. First of all, there were certain aspects of the beginning that came off as rather cruel, and most likely inaccurate. I’m not sure if those moments were supposed to be a joke, or not. Either way, those moments were probably not the best. Secondly, there was some rather crude humor in this film. Now, yes, I understand that most adult films have crude, and more adult jokes. Still, some of the jokes that were put into this film, well, let’s just say may have felt a little too mature even for a PG-13 rated movie.

Other than those things, Barbie is a surprisingly really good film. After seeing the trailers, you might have found yourself thinking that this film is more for little girls, right? Well, you’d be wrong, as that is not the case at all. Again, hopefully you can tell from some of the flaws that I mentioned for this film. Anyhow, what does make this film good? Well, to begin, the acting was really good. Sure, there were points where Ryan Gosling’s acting, who, of course played the main Ken character in this film, at least could have improved to a degree. Aside from that, everyone did great in their respective roles. It was especially cool to see Will Ferrell even play a character in this film. Considering how funny he’s been in other films like Talladega Knights, or even voicing the MegaMind character in the DreamWorks animated film, Megamind, for instance, he hardly, if ever, disappoints. The visuals for Barbie Land were also really bright, and colorful. As for the cinematography for places like California, need I say more? Oh, and there was also some surprisingly really creative comedy in this film as well. As for a couple of the original songs that were incorporated in this film, though not exactly memorable, still ended up being very fun. The comedy is also really great. Oh, that’s another aspect to love about this film. It is really clever how some of the comedy was incorporated into this film. The storyline was also really creative the way that it was set up, first off. Second, the way situations are handled, and how other certain aspects are handled in this film is very interesting, and even surprising at points, especially around the middle to end. Finally, though the ending could potentially feel bittersweet in some ways, in others, there were some really great lessons to take away from this 2023 Barbie movie. I mean for this film to serve as a reminder, as an example, that different people will view people differently, or that one person’s perspective could be different from another person’s perspective are really great things to take away from this film. Oh, and did I forget to mention that people will most likely be surprised by how things turn out by the end? I won’t say how, but let’s just say you’ll either like those aspects, dislike them, or even feel ambivalent. So there you have it.

And that’s my review for this 2023 Barbie film. Though it was a little too crude at times, and some of the beginning was stupid, it is an overall enjoyable film. It has well developed characters, a very good, a story that is creative, and, at times, very thought-provoking, a few fun original songs, and quite a few other fun elements as well. Not to mention some of the lessons to take away from this film. If you haven’t seen Barbie yet, then I would definitely recommend it. I’m sure that you’ll be pleasantly surprised after seeing it. Yes, people will probably feel mixed about some things that occur near the end. Still, 2023’s Barbie is definitely worth watching once, if not more. So go see it, and see what you think!

Final Grade: A-