There is a popular saying that states: “if you feed them, they will come.” And at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur on the evening of the Barbie movie premiere, a literal pink carpet was rolled out to welcome the city’s social scene. Many people were excited about the film due to a multi-million dollar marketing strategy and positive initial reviews. Despite a decline in sales for Mattel’s Barbie doll, the brand’s cultural impact over the past 64 years is undeniable.
The name Barbie still resonates across generations, from trigger-happy social media personalities to star-struck children at the premiere event hosted by Dadi Cinema. The movie, co-written by filmmaker Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, generated a tremendous amount of hype. The audience’s palpable excitement during the first scene confirmed the film’s justified anticipation.
The Barbie movie is not just for children; it feels like a homecoming for those who grew up with the doll. It offers two hours of cinematic fantasy for those seeking refuge from the monotonous daily grind. The film’s production quality is outstanding, recreating the “plastic-perfect” nature associated with dollhouses. Barbie Land is brought to life with attention to detail, from the meticulously painted backdrops to the vinyl decals of the pool, groceries, pavement, and streets.
The film also showcases archival Barbie fashion looks, including a sponsorship by Chanel. The visuals in the movie perfectly capture the Barbiecore aesthetic. However, strip away the pink gloss, and viewers will appreciate the film’s sense of self-awareness and frequent breaking of the fourth wall. The film also offers commentary on the modern-day gender movement, presenting Barbie Land as an idealized feminist fantasy.
Unfortunately, the film falters in its execution of nuanced subject matters. It tackles issues related to the modern woman, including gender anxieties and strained mother-daughter relationships. However, the show-and-tell approach feels on-the-nose and satirical at times. The film’s attempt to include many characters in under two hours leaves some character arcs feeling underdeveloped.
Despite these flaws, the stellar ensemble cast, especially Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, delivers exceptional performances. Robbie brings emotional depth to the iconic plastic face, and Gosling’s campy humor and comedic timing shine. Simu Liu’s dance numbers are also worth mentioning. Overall, the Barbie movie is an easy film to love and recommend for fans of the franchise. The fantastic casting and production outweigh the weaknesses and make it a fabulous blockbuster hit.
