Skip to main content

Barbie (2023)

 



Barbie is a live-action comedy about the titular doll from the United States. 

Greta Gerwig is a well-known Oscar-nominated female director. She directed and wrote Barbie, Lady Bird, and Little Women. There is nothing wrong with the direction of the film, the writing on the other hand has a few issues. Let's get the big issues out of the way because don't get me wrong I really enjoyed the film. There is a lot of post-civil rights feminism in the writing. As the writer she blames the patriarchy but really the rant she wrote was really just pointing out social expectations. There certainly were moments where my eyes had to roll. Especially when the tween in the film spoke like an early twenties diversity major. 

Margot Robbie plays stereotypical Barbie and not the original Barbie. She is great and the film oddly has a lot of emotion for her to work with. The scenes Greta wrote for her were generally great. She has stellar comedic timing as well. Look forward to the next Ocean's Eleven film starring Robbie.

Ryan Gosling has plenty of Travolta moments. He sings, he dances, he cracks a joke, and plays a very dumb and emotional Ken. Ken doesn't have a place in Barbie Land and sort of plays the villain for a while. Some of the best scenes were at his expense. He also has the best musical number that I would love to see performed live at the Oscars this year.

There are other actors in the film but none of them really bring too much to the film other than Kate McKinnon and Will Ferrell. I left the film having enjoyed the experience. Sure there are some cringe moments but the comedy outweighs the preachy moments. It's not for everyone but I'll recommend it. Result: B+

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Wuthering Heights (2026)

Wuthering Heights is directed by Emerald Fennell , known for Promising Young Woman and Saltburn , and opens with a striking image that immediately signals this will not be a conventional adaptation of the classic novel. The film remains faithful to several of the book's narrative choices, particularly in how it lingers on the characters' early years before fully embracing the central tragedy. While this approach accurately reflects the source material, the pacing occasionally suffers, with several montages and extended childhood sequences lasting longer than necessary. One element that works especially well is the portrayal of Catherine and Heathcliff's adoptive father, whose volatile temper contrasts sharply with the affection he shows the two children, echoing one of the novel's stronger character dynamics. Margot Robbie , known for Barbie and I, Tonya , delivers one of the strongest performances of her career as Catherine. She captures the character's passio...

Supergirl (2026)

Supergirl is directed by Craig Gillespie , known for I, Tonya and Cruella , and written by Ana Nogueira . The film attempts to launch a new corner of the DC universe while simultaneously giving Supergirl her own coming of age journey. While the movie does succeed in giving its protagonist a genuine character arc and lays some groundwork for future stories, the script often struggles with dialogue and plot points. Several lines land awkwardly, pulling scenes out of their emotional moments rather than enhancing them. In many cases, the performances feel less at fault than the direction, as stronger takes or rewrites could have improved several key exchanges. Milly Alcock , known for House of the Dragon , carries the film and easily emerges as its greatest strength. She brings vulnerability, confidence, and determination to Supergirl, making the character feel relatable even when the material around her falters. Alcock does everything she can with the dialogue she is given, and her per...

Citizen Vigilante (2026)

Citizen Vigilante is written and directed by Uwe Boll , a filmmaker whose work has always been divisive, and this film continues that trend. The movie tackles issues surrounding immigration, social tensions, and public frustration, themes that have been prominent throughout the decade. Surprisingly, the film often approaches these subjects from a perspective that many viewers may not expect from a major studio release. While the political themes are front and center, the larger issue is that the writing struggles to make the world and its characters feel believable. Conversations often lack the natural reactions people would have in real life, particularly younger characters who accept lectures and speeches with very little resistance or personality. Armie Hammer , known for The Social Network and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. , plays the vigilante and spends much of the film using a gravelly, Batman-inspired voice. He commits fully to the role, and his physical presence works well for th...