There are just SO many films out there! You see two to three wide releases on a weekend with a handful more in limited release. Throw out at least a dozen more on VOD or streaming and now you have an overload of content. But we only have so many hours in the day, and we must be thoughtful towards what we dedicate that precious free time to. That is the point of this series of articles giving you specific reasons why you should run out to your nearest multiplex, drive to search for that limited release, drop some money in the virtual cinema, or to surf those streaming services. Here on The Wasteland Watchlist, you will find some reasons to check out the latest and greatest of films including…Barbie (theaters July 21h)
BarbieLand
What do you need for the perfect Barbie movie? You need a world that is just as bright and exciting as she is. The BarbieLand shown in Barbie is so perfectly realized. The world works as a toy set would (not actual liquids, no mirrors, and things magically just happen. There are so many great little details which will have the big Barbie aficionados eating it up. The production design is incredible with the vibrancy and general construction of it all standing out. This setting is a character and helps deliver some of the best humor in the film as well.
Margot Robbie
How do you bring the most iconic doll of all time to life? You get the especially talented and strikingly beautiful Margot Robbie to portray her. The look. The attitude. The confidence. The presence. It is all there. The most impressive aspect of Robbie’s performance is the (seemingly) effortless movement between the pitch-perfect doll and a real being with complex emotions. Robbie is at times impeccably vibrant and charming. At others, she shows so much pain and vulnerability as she cries for the first time…and the second time…and so on. The steady performance of Robbie allows the audience to connect with this impressive and complex arc we witness of our leading Barbie.
Ryan Gosling
Could anyone have played Ken better than Ryan Gosling? After watching Barbie, I don’t think so. It is all about the quirks and small acting choices. Gosling is a master of the little things. A look. A cheer. An exclamation. A little dance. This performance is peppered with endless little choices that make this performance incredibly unique and just perfectly Gosling. His offbeat and quirky behavior serves the naïve existence of Ken. He is a perfect match physically. His movements are downright hilarious. His music numbers are absolute showstoppers. Gosling damn near runs away with the whole film.
The Ensemble
There are plenty of other performers to enjoy in Barbie, aren’t there? America Ferrera, who is mostly left out of the marketing, delivers a relatable and affecting performance that is the true heart and soul of the film. His part might feel a bit tacked on but Will Ferrell is absolutely hilarious. Michael Cera and Kate McKinnon lean nicely into their acting personas to deliver some fun supporting turns in the lesser-loved members of Barbie society. Then you have a giant cast of talent bringing the other Barbies and Kens to life with Issa Rae and Simu Liu making the most of their spotlight. But every single member of this cast is pitch-perfect.
Themes
This is the part of the film getting an unfortunate amount of undue attention. The crazy shrieking of some that this is “anti-Men” obviously didn’t see the movie, are choosing to spin it their way to spread their own agendas or did not get it. This is a wonderful film that calls for equal respect and treatment amongst all people and that is the way society will thrive. This is a hopeful and surprisingly subversive and poignant ride wrapped in its shiny pink packaging. What is most exciting is that it wants to bring everyone together and the experience is quite wonderful.
Music
Can you believe that the soundtrack is just as star-studded as the cast of the film? There is so much talent flowing in this Mark Ronson-anchored soundtrack. Nicki Minaj even gets to play over the credits. But there are a few songs that really stand out in a big way. Lizzo’s “Pink” brings the audience into the world of Barbie in a clever and surprisingly dark way. Dua Lipa gets us all discoing and having a great time with her banger “Dance The Night”. Charlie XCX brings a fun Mattel-themed chase to life with “Speed Drive”. Billie Eilish will make us all feel deeply with “What Was I Made For?”. But it is Ryan Gosling who tears the house down with “I’m Just Ken” which better get nominated at the Academy Awards.
Humor
Is there a funnier film than Barbie this year? Absolutely not. There is a brilliant mix of humor that provides plenty to get a laugh out of. The screenplay is top-notch as Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach know how to get laughs and lessons out of so many things. The references are so cleverly done that you can help get some hearty laughs out of you. The physical comedy is quite impressive as Ferrell and Gosling can play us all like fiddles. But the absurdist humor is off the charts. There are so many moments that play out so unexpectedly that you cannot help but crack up laughing. This is such a subversive film that knows when to be sly when to joke about being sly, and to make deeply thoughtful commentaries of so many things but wrapped in hilarious packages.
