Barbie
Release Date: 20th July 2023 - Australia
Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)
Heyday Films
NB/GG Pictures
Mattel Films
Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG
Runtime: 114 minutes
Box Office Gross: $1,202,507,382 (Worldwide - figure subject to change)
Plot Summary
In the colourful and
seemingly perfect world of
Barbie Land, Barbie and Ken
have the time of their lives.
But they soon discover the
joys and dangers of living
among humans when they
world.
Cast
Margot Robbie - Barbie
Issa Rae - Barbie
Kate McKinnon - Barbie
Alexandra Shipp - Barbie
Emma Mackey - Barbie
Hari Nef - Barbie
Sharon Rooney - Barbie
Ana Cruz Kayne - Barbie
Rita Arya - Barbie
Dua Lipa - Barbie
Nicola Coughlan - Barbie
Emerald Fennell - Midge
Ryan Gosling - Ken
Simu Liu - Ken
Kingsley Ben-Adir - Ken
Ncuti Gatwa - Ken
Scott Evans - Ken
John Cena - Ken
Michael Cera - Allan
America Ferrara - Gloria
Ariana Greenblatt - Sasha
Helen Mirren - Narrator
(Voice)
Will Ferrell - Mattel CEO
Connor Swindells - Aaron Dinkins
Jamie Demetriou - Mattel Executive #1
Andrew Leung - Mattel Executive #2
Ray Fearon - Dan at the FBI
Erica Ford - Skipper
Hannah Khalique-Brown -
Growing Up Skipper
Mette Narrative - Barbie
Video Girl
Marisa Abela - Teen Talk Barbie
Lucy Boynton - Proust Barbie
Rob Brydon - Sugar Daddy Ken
Tom Stourton - Earring Magic Ken
Genvieve Toussiant - Young Sasha
Ann Roth - The Woman on the Bench
Annie Mumolo - Anxiety Mom
Lauren Holt - Time Mom
Ryan Piers Williams - El
Esposo De Gloria
Crew
Writer/Executive Producer/
Director - Greta Gerwig
Writer/Executive Producer -
Noah Baumbach
Executive Producers - Cate
Toby Emmerich, Ynon Kreiz
and Courtenay Valenti
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Michael Sharp
Producers - Tom Ackerley,
Robbie Brenner, David Heyman
and Margot Robbie
Co-Producer - Christine Crais
Casting Directors - Lucy Bevan and Allison Jones
Production Designer - Sarah Greenwood
Supervising Art Director - Dean Clegg
Supervising Art Director: Los Angeles Unit -
Andrew Max Cahn
Set Decorator - Katie Spencer
Costume Designer - Jacqueline Durran
Director of Photography - Rodrigo Prieto
First Assistant Director: Second Unit,
Los Angeles - Tom Brewster
Second Unit Director: Los Angeles Unit -
George Cottle
Stunt Coordinator - Roy Taylor
Special Effects Supervisor - Mark Holt
Visual Effects Supervisor - Glen Pratt
Editor - Nick Houy
Re-Recording Mixer/Sound Designer/
Supervising Sound Editor - Ai-Ling Lee
Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor -
Dan Kenyon
Sound Designers - Nia Hansen and
Tobias Poppe
Re-Recording Mixer - Kevin O'Connell
Music - Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt
Music Supervisor - George Drakoulias
Conductor/Music Arranger/Orchestrator -
Matt Dunkley
Score Recordist & Mixer - Peter Cobbin
Review
As a kid, I never liked Barbie anyway, and if my memory serves me correctly, my sister used to have that doll when she was young. However, I did see a few direct-to-video animated features and a parodic version in the Toy Story series. Recently, I watched the movie and sat stunned by the closure. At first, I wasn't thrilled about seeing it, but I never thought it'd be completely different. I would have wanted to see Oppenheimer instead of BARBIE but chose not to.
BARBIE is a fun, sparkling movie with an original concept and self-aware humour. You'd be surprised how it is a comedy for teens and adults, not for young children, as some might suggest it would be. Writer/director Greta Gerwig understands what was wrong with the Barbie franchise and spoofs the titular brand by turning it into a candy-coated satire full of feminism. Though the film can get a little preachy in its anti-patriarchy message, it has a witty script that has heart and pokes fun at the brand itself for its consumerism, gender stereotypes, attempts at reinvention, etc. But BARBIE wouldn't be complete with a star-studded cast.
Margot Robbie is an excellent choice to play the titular doll character. She nails the comical aspects and emotional beats in her role and humanises her, giving an extraordinary performance. She pairs well with Gosling, who does the same for Ken, and his perpetual confusion is instantly relatable. The extensive supporting cast is well-chosen, with Will Ferrell playing a CEO, similar to his previous role in The Lego Movie, Michael Cera as the forgotten and discontinued Allan and America Ferrara as a truthful mum, Gloria. The set design and costumes are gorgeous, especially in pastel pink, which creates a unique and colourful look at Barbie Land. The soundtrack is excellent, ranging from artists like Dua Lupa, Nicki Minaj and Billie Eilish.
Overall, this film is enjoyable and worth watching. It's packed with hilarity, gives you a good laugh and makes you wonder if you want to live in a dream house (or, in this case, a dollhouse) with Ken and Barbie. Those familiar with Barbie shall experience the movie and be tickled pink (no pun intended).
Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie
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