REVIEW: BARBIE

4/5

It's Fantastic. 

114 Mins. Starring: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Simu Liu, Alexandra Shipp, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Dua Lipa, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman & Will Ferrell. Narrated By: Helen Mirren. Directed By: Greta Gerwig. In: Theatres. Out: The Box. 

This 'Barbie' could win an Oscar. Believe it or not. Hate it, or absolutely love it. Margot Robbie called it, back when the 'Once Upon A Time In...Hollywood', 'The Wolf Of Wall Street' and 'Suicide Squad' Harley Quinn star was one of the producers of this toy story, pitching it to Warner Bros. She originally wanted 'Wonder Woman' Gal Gadot to bring this "life in plastic" to the real world. But this week Gadot is spy streaming with Netflix's 'Heart Of Stone'. Robbie said this doll could take a billion...and she's right on the money. Manufacturer Mattel are now even starting their own cinematic universe like Marvel with everyone from Barney to Polly Pocket. The Barbie world is getting bigger thanks to 'The Simpsons'' Malibu Stacey's muse and Cindy's worst nightmare having the accessory of one of the biggest movies of the year, about to jump over Nintendo's 'Super Mario Bros' Illumination. Not to mention the highest grossing movie directed solely by a woman...ever! 

It's even bigger than Christopher Nolan's grand 'Oppenheimer' story, The two trending together as 'Barbenheimer', in the most successful summer of blockbusters since COVID, that's even blowing Tom Cruise's 'Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning (Part 1)' out the water. And that life on the line 'Maverick' ruled last summer as the 'Top Gun'. 'The Wizard of Oz', 'The Matrix', 'Jurassic Park', 'Planet Of The Apes'. This 'Barbie' movie can't be contained in a box like its iconic '2001: A Space Odyssey' opening. It's like so many others, and nothing before. Taking on themes of philosophy, feminity and masculinity for all you Adam and Eves. Not to mention a classic car sight gag for your POV.

But as 'Barbie' finally opens here in Japan it does so shrouded in controversy. Fan-made memes of Oppenheimer and Barbie walking away from a nuclear blast were replied to by 'Barbie's' official American account, remarking on it going to be "a summer to remember". Japanese fans won't forget the disrespect. 'Oppenheimer' obviously still doesn't have a release here yet in the land of the rising sun, but films about the second world war have before. Most notably Clint Eastwood's take on both sides with 'Flags Of Our Fathers' and 'Letters From Iwo Jima' starring Ken Watanabe. Right now it looks like these memes have caused too much damage. Some users have responded with mocked up memes of the 'Barbie' logo over scenes from 9/11, Barbie being held up by Bin Laden instead of Oppenheimer and much, much worse. 

Both sides of this meme war have shared sick, tasteless and thoughtless photos and hopefully now this 'Barbeheimer' trend will stop. Originally, it was a clever idea to welcome reluctant people back to cinemas, and Rolling Stone even experimented with a riff on the classic Pink Floyd 'Wish You Were Here' album cover, but what has alienated and offended people has gone way too far. Especially how some users have treated Margot Robbie in these memes in ways we couldn't even begin to say. Especially as she never had anything to do with the creation of these memes. Neither did she endorse them. She is innocent in this situation, even though her literal image is being more than tarnished. It was the American account of the 'Barbie' Twitter (X) account that should have handled things better. And the rest of us don't have to stoop to that level.

'Barbie' is still big in Japan, pretty powerful in pink. And who else to play this woman than Margot Robbie I wonder? She's the perfect cast like queen and legend Dame Helen Mirren is at narrating this with arguably the best line in the movie. Breaking the fourth wall like Ken himself Ryan Gosling did in 'The Big Short' when he got Margot to explain the complicated financial situation of the movie in a bath to get your attention. Far from the 'Stereotypical Barbie' she plays this perfect cast has just added her most layered and nuanced performance to her Academy roll call of 'I, Tonya', 'Mary Queen Of Scots' and 'Bombshell' pictures. In this epic, existential crisis, real-life fantasy ensemble directed by '20th Century Woman' and 'Lady Bird' and 'Little Women' redefining director Greta Gerwig in all her genius (feeling like fellow director of the moment Olivia Wilde's 'Don't Worry Darling' in the darkness shaded by the safety of suburbia).

Co-written wonderfully by her partner and 'Marriage Story' director Noah Baumbach for all those who think this fantastic feminist movie is man-hating. It's far from that. So Kenough with all that. Even though we can't begin to tell you about Ryan Gosling's grating (already said too much), but brilliantly acted Ken for what may be the 'La La Land' and 'Blue Valentine' actor's best movie move yet, because it would spoil everything. Diluting the meaningful message brought forth to the real world from this American candy coated toy box dream from the real MVP here, the human American Ferrera and the beautiful 'Ugly Betty' stars ugly and beautiful truth in statements that need to get ready for award season speeches.

Who else could play Barbie? How about Aaliyah TV movie, X-Men's Storm, 'Love Simon' and 'tick...tick...BOOM!' star Alexandra Shipp written in (hey, Barbie)? Or singer Dua Lipa in a little bit as a mermaid (hey, Barbie)? A scene-stealing (as always) Kate McKinnon doing the splits as Weird (who else?) Barbie (hey, (weird) Barbie). And Issa Rae as my President (hey, Madam Barbie). As a matter of fact, any girl or woman can be Barbie (Amy Schumer and Anne Hathaway almost were too), and that's the point. Barbie can be anyone and anyone can be Barbie, as she, like all women, can do all things. Doctor, lawyer, mother. But yet, Margot is the one. Even if the amazing Aussie actress forgot briefly on a TV show back home what Barbie meant in her home country. It turns out anyone can bring their rollerblades and be Ken too for the first big-screen adaptation of this power couple since the 'Toy Story' characters you have to see walking into the "sunset" of their short 'Hawaiian Vacation'. Especially in this world of clichéd clones. 

Gosling is great, but you'll also marvel at 'Shang-Chi' himself Simu Liu going dancing toe-to-toe with Gosling like 'Grease'. Or 'Secret Invasion' Super Skrull scene-stealer Kingsley Ben-Adir. But for all the equal empowerment here we can do better than 'Basketball Ken', as much as I love hoops. All that and we still have room for Sugar Daddy Ken and Ken's best friend too, which a 'Superbad' Michael Cera fits into perfectly. The legend Will Ferrell anchoring the head of the suited Mattel men giving chase. And an absolutely moving performance from Rhea Perlman. Cheers to her. Not to mention a classic Mark Ronson curated soundtrack featuring Barbie herself Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice, Dua Lipa, Haim, an absolutely incredible track from, who else but, Billie Eilish ('What Was I Made For?'), and of course, Aqua. Come on. Let's go party and watch 'Barbie'. But let's just not think of death too much. Invest in some Birkenstocks and turn those cold feet flat for the film everyone's standing on their tippy toes to see. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The Wizard of Oz', 'Don't Worry Darling', 'Toy Story'.