There was a time, back in the day, when movie studios would release similar movies within the same year and fight for audiences’ attention. Think of films like “Cop Out’ and “The Other Guy,” or “Friends With Benefits” and “No Strings Attached.” But it is rare to see two wildly different films released not only in the same year, but on the same day – though it has happened before.
Since the announcement of the release of the highly-anticipated movies (whose names have been combined into a portmanteau), various memes about them have popped up, and people are having a blast with them – from poster crossovers to masterfully-edited trailer mashups. But amidst all that free exposure, there’s a lot more nuance that many don’t seem to realise. Yes, put your goggles on and slip into your pinkest pink outfit; we are talking about Barbenheimer and why it’s more than you think it is, and why it might be the biggest cinematic event of the year.
How Did Barbenheimer Come To Be?
Many believe that the release dates for both of these big films are purely coincidental, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It all began with Christopher Nolan, the legendary filmmaker and screenwriter behind Oppenheimer. For the better part of his career, Nolan has worked with Warner Brothers, but broke away as the studio started to focus more on streaming. Eventually, he partnered with Universal in order to create the historical film.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Nolan was able to flex his creative muscles as he was given full creative control, a $100 million budget, and an equal marketing spend. Add to that, a theatrical window of at least 100 days and 20 percent of the film’s first-dollar gross. This is a big deal, as only a few people have such a strong influence in the world to command such a lucrative deal. However, one of those few people is Margot Robbie. Not only is Robbie playing the highly popular doll, she is also the co-founder of LuckyChap Entertainment, the producers of the Barbie film. However, the film is also receiving additional funding and distribution from none other than Warner Brothers.
And though Warner Brothers sent a seven-figure check to Nolan asking for his return, rumour has it that Warner intentionally scheduled Barbie’s release to be on the same day as Oppeheimer’s in order to steal away Nolan’s audience. However, this seems to have backfired, as Barbenheimer was born, and, as a result, both films promoted each other. It was so big that the actors from the respective films went on record about the entire situation on the red carpet.
Coincidences Can Be Scary
As mentioned earlier, there’s a lot of backstory to the two films that many may not be aware of. For starters, Nolan, like any other person in the industry, was the underdog. But when he had skin in the game, he started making his mark. The first of which was co-founding a production company, Syncopy Inc., with his now-wife Emma Thomas.
Robbie was quite the underdog too, but as she became more popular and made a name for herself, she began to leave her mark – the most notable of which was co-founding a production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, with her now-husband Tom Ackerley. Sound familiar? Sure, these things can be written off as coincidences, which is a very valid conclusion to draw, but the stars have aligned for an event that may never happen again. But knowing this allows us to better appreciate these films as a whole.
Watch Them Before You Judge Them
Whether you are a fan of the OG Barbie or a history buff, there is something that you can appreciate in both films. We have talked about Nolan’s work at length, so let’s shift our focus to Barbie’s writer and director, Greta Gerwig. Some sexists may be quick to dismiss Gerwig’s work for the simple reason that she is a woman and is therefore inferior to Nolan, or some other Incel-like reasoning. However, Gerwig is a well-respected figure in her field, and she knows this. If anything, she specifically targeted those who already had a negative mindset about the famous doll. Furthermore, her movie tries to stand out from all the other Barbie flicks before it, proving that it has heart and effort, and isn’t some cheap cash grab for nostalgia.
One of the most popular trailers that came out recently was the Barbie film teaser, which mimics Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Much like Nolan, Kubrick is highly associated with films that specifically cater to a male demographic; knowing this, Gerwig parodied the iconic 1968 film to better highlight the fact that there is something for everyone.
On the other hand, Nolan seems to be sticking to what he does best, which is making fantastic films. With a budget of $100 million, Nolan is known to put those funds to use. The reason his work is highly praised is because of his vision and how he does almost everything without the use of CGI. It should be a treat for the eyes, as the effects team came from groups that worked on Fury Road and Top Gun Maverick, with reports even stating that they replicated the explosion of a nuclear bomb without CGI. But it’s clear that it is not made with female audiences in mind.
What Should You Watch First?
Now for the big question: what should you go see first? It is quite the conundrum when you think about it, as these two masterpieces are sharing the stage and are both vying for your attention. For that question, it’s up to personal preference as to what you are most eager to see. Some have decided to watch Oppenheimer first, as the dark and gritty setting allows for an incredible cinematic experience that can enable a strong catharsis for the viewer unlike any seen before; then they will go for Barbie, as the colourful and comedic, yet grounded, story will be a great palette cleanser to wash away that depression.
However, if you plan to watch a Christopher Nolan film on IMAX, it’s best to reconsider watching that first, as they replicate a nuclear bomb in the film. So, if you want to have your hearing intact to enjoy both films, it’s best to save the depression for last.
Hopefully, after reading this, you will have a better appreciation for Barbenheimer, not just as memes, but as works of art. It is the work of two of the most influential filmmakers at their full potential that proves that creativity and talent can express themselves in two different and equally valid ways, and we get the rare privilege to enjoy both on the same day.
