I liked the comic-fantasy “Barbie” and I had fun. But to me it’s just forgettable fodder. Parents should be warned, it’s a stringent PG-13. There are double entendres. I’d recommend it for kids 13 and older, as the rating states.
Margot Robbie had fun in the role of Stereotypical Barbie. It’s a change of pace for her and far removed from Robbie’s gutter-mouth performances as Harley Quinn in both versions of “The Suicide Squad” in 2016 and 2021.
We have Ryan Gosling playing eye-candy Ken. I don’t mind him as an actor at all, he’s good. In fact, Gosling was Oscar-nominated for his performance in the musical “La La Land” (2016) and was awesome as the getaway driver in “Drive” (2011).
America Ferrera, who visited the Richland campus in 2018 as part of the Get Out the Vote rally, portrays Gloria, a real-world mom who enjoyed playing with Barbie dolls with her daughter Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt of “Awake”). Michael Cera (“Juno”) is entertaining as Allan, a side character who wants to be more involved with the story. Will Ferrell chews the scenery wildly as the Barbie CEO. He was much better in “Elf” (2003) and “Stranger Than Fiction” (2006).
“Barbie” is just a fun movie to watch. You can leave your brain at the door. It’s involving for those who let it, however.
It is amusing to note that Ken wants to be more involved with all the goings on in Barbieland and with the title doll herself.
Everything looks like it takes place on a soundstage, sort of like “Princess Bride.” I hate to say it, but I think “Barbie” will be nominated for a set design Oscar. And it looks like a Best Actress Academy Award nomination for Robbie as well.
I liked “Barbie,” but I didn’t love it. It’s not a deep movie at all, just fun to watch.
Grade: B-
