When it comes to motion picture releases in 2023, one film stood above the rest. Smart, funny, and way more emotional than I thought it would be, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie was one of the most moving pieces of cinema I have seen in years. And it was done wrapped in a pretty pink bow.
Narrated by the legendary Helen Miren, the titular role of Barbie, the world’s most iconic doll, was played by Margot Robbie. An icon in her own right, Robbie approached the role with such earnestness and humility, that you couldn’t help but fall in love with her. I went into the film thinking at best the film would be nothing more than a 114-minute toy commercial with a paper-thin plot that did nothing for the IP. At worst, a repeat of the 2015 disaster Jem and the Holograms. However, Barbie knew its audience and with Gerwig at the helm, it was pure magic.
After an existential crisis, Barbie leaves Barbie Land to find out what’s troubling the little girl who’s playing with her in such a way that is causing her to malfunction. Unknowingly joined on her journey by a dimwitted Ken with a dark side (played by Hollywood hunk Ryan Gosling), the two journey to the real world and get a rude awakening about how things actually are. While Barbie searches for inner purpose, Ken searches for the patriarchy.
The film also stars the incredibly talented America Ferrera, the hysterical Kate McKinnon, the incomparable Issa Rae, and the gorgeous Simu Liu (as a rival Ken).
While a Blu-ray of the series was announced to drop early next year, Warner Brothers released it early (after many of us, like myself, purchased through digital platforms), and so I got it for myself as a Christmas present.
Artwork: Your basic slipcover, the artwork is nice, but since I didn’t splurge on a super special collectors edition, it’s pretty basic (which is fine).
Specs: Presented in glorious 1080p with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, visually Barbie is crystal clear with a perfect (and catchy) soundtrack. Special features include six behind-the-scenes shorts, but sadly missing Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night” music video, so I’ve included it below.
More film reviews soon so…
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Life In Cartoon Motion 