Barbie (2023)

"You don't have your license."

"This car has no engine!"

Everyday in Barbieland looks the same: the Barbies rule the world and party every night. Barbie (Robbie) loves her life until bad things start happening to her. When her feet go flat, she turns to Weird Barbie (McKinnon) for help. Weird Barbie sends her to the real world to fix the rift between their worlds. 

Meanwhile, Ken (Gosling) feels neglected. His world revolves around Barbie, but she doesn't feel the same. He joins Barbie on the trip into the real world. Can they find Gloria (Ferrera) and Sasha (Greenblatt) and save the world?

Based on the popular Mattel toy Barbie. Barbie was created by Ruthe Handler in 1959. This is Barbie's live-action film debut. 

The Good:

This film clearly loves Barbie. It includes discontinued dolls, such as Allan and Midge, and the other characters such as Skipper. They also enjoy throwbacks to classic outfits and the iconic Barbie pink.

The story is packed with laughs, including at the quirks of Barbie.

Ryan Gosling is great as Ken; he steals the show! All of the Kens are ridiculous, but earnest. The Barbies are good too.

The choreographed dance at the party and the "I'm Just Ken" sequence are awesome. 

The Bad:

The film gets preachy about feminism vs the patriarchy. 

Other Comments:

-Rhea Perlman plays the ghost of Barbie creator Ruth Handler, which includes facts about her life.

-The story enjoys going after Mattel, with Will Ferrell as the over-the-top Mattel CEO.

-The song "What Was I Made For?" by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell is hauntingly beautiful. 

I wanted to like this film, but didn't. Some parts were funny and I loved the "I'm just Ken" scene, but it just didn't match the hype.

-Nominated for 8 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Song (for both "What Was I Made For?" and "I'm Just Ken"), Best Supporting Actor for Gosling, Best Supporting Actress for Ferrera.

Barbie (2023) 114 minutes

Rating: PG-13 for suggestive references and brief language

Director: Greta Gerwig

Starring: Margot Robbie as Barbie

Ryan Gosling as Ken

Issa Rae as President Barbie 

Kate McKinnon as Weird Barbie 

Alexandra Shipp as Writer Barbie 

Simu Liu as Rival Ken 

Kingsley Ben-Adir as Basketball Ken 

Ncuti Gatwa as Artist Ken 

Scott Evans as Stereotypical Ken 

America Ferrera as Gloria

Ariana Greenblatt as Sasha

Rhea Perlman as Ruth Handler

Helen Mirren as the Narrator

Will Ferrell as the CEO of Mattel

Michael Cera as Allan