If one film has captured the media’s attention in a film summer plagued with flops and box office disappointments, it would be the film directed and co-written by Oscar nominee Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird, little women). But after so much conversation among moviegoers, the moment of truth is coming and discovering what Barbie Land really offers us. Is everything rosy? With the world premiere this Sunday night in Los Angeles, we already have the first reactions of Barbie.
In this film, Magot Robbie plays a Barbie who enjoys a seemingly perfect life in a vibrant world filled with other Barbies of different ethnicities and backgrounds. But one day, she begins to question her own existence and mortality, which will lead her to take a trip to the real world, in the company of her inseparable companion Ken (Ryan Gosling). This development, of course, scares Mattel executives, who will want to force them to “get back in their box” as soon as possible.
Will it be a balm for Warner after so many consecutive setbacks with his blockbusters? Do they start off on the right foot the ambitious plan for dozens of adaptations live action of Mattel toys? Were Robbie and Gosling the perfect cast? This says the first reactions of Barbie:
Katcy Stephan of Variety:
#Barbie is perfection. Greta Gerwig delivers a nuanced commentary on what it means to be a woman in a whimsical, wonderful and laugh-out-loud funny romp. The entire cast shines, especially Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in roles they were clearly born to play. 🎀
—Katcy Stephan (@katcystephan) July 10, 2023
“Barbie it is perfection. Greta Gerwig offers a nuanced commentary on what it means to be a woman in an energetic, whimsical, wonderful, and laugh-out-loud romp. The entire cast shines, especially Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in roles they were clearly born to play.”
Joseph Deckelmeier of screen rant:
#Barbie caught me off guard & I mean that in the best way possible. It’s funny, bombastic, & very smart. Greta Gerwig aims for the fences & hits a home run. Margot Robbie’s performance is great & @RyanGosling & @SimuLiu are pure entertainment! The whole cast is brilliant! pic.twitter.com/oXH965aUIF
—Joseph Deckelmeier (@joedeckelmeier) July 10, 2023
“Barbie It took me by surprise and I mean that in the best possible way. She is funny, bombastic and very intelligent. Greta Gerwig points to the stands and hits a home run. Margot Robbie’s performance is great, and Ryan Gosling and Simu Liu are pure entertainment! The entire cast is brilliant!”
Jamie Jirak of comicbook.com:
I can’t officially quit Twitter before telling you all that #Barbie is currently my favorite film of the year. Greta Gerwig somehow exceeded my expectations. She tackles the positives and negatives of Barbie so beautifully. Give Ryan Gosling an Oscar nomination, I’m dead serious!
— Jamie Jirak (@JamieCinematics) July 10, 2023
“I can’t officially leave Twitter before I tell you that Barbie It is currently my favorite movie of the year. Greta Gerwig somehow exceeded my expectations. It addresses both the positive and negative aspects of Barbie so beautifully. Give Ryan Gosling an Oscar nomination, I mean it!”
Perri Nemiroff, of Collider:
Overall, #Barbie isn’t the home run I was hoping for, or that I think it needs to be given the topics it’s tackling, but it’s still a well made, bold film with a VERY strong voice and vision, one that often made me think, HOW does this movie exist? And that right there is almost… pic.twitter.com/b0LxUfdInq
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) July 10, 2023
“I’ve seen Barbie! The craft is amazing. In particular, the costume and production design includes next-level work that goes a long way to creating the feeling that they really are Barbies, their dream homes and worlds brought to life.
Story-wise, that’s where I’m a bit more mixed. I think the movie serves Margot Robbie’s Barbie and her journey especially well, but there are other characters that go through major arcs and needed more screen time to fully delve and explore.
Overall, it’s not the home run I was hoping for, at least when you take into account the issues it addresses, but it’s still a bold, well-made film with a VERY strong voice and vision. One that often made me wonder, HOW does this movie exist? And there is almost always a quality of a film that will win me over.
Sharronda Williams of Pay or Wait:
teetering between the camp #Barbie movie we expected to a sometimes too on the nose social commentary of society that takes away from important subplots & character development. The production and costume design is stunning but overall I left wanting a bit more from the film.
— Sharronda Williams (@payorwait) July 10, 2023
“Barbie is witty, sincere and frankly a lot of fun. Ryan Gosling is a scene stealer who generates most of the laughs, while Margot Robbie’s heartfelt performance will touch your heart. While I enjoyed most of the film, the script feels bloated at times, teetering between the campy movie we expected and overly direct social commentary that takes away from important subplots and character development. The production and costume design are impressive, but overall I was left wanting to see a bit more of the film.”
Eze Baum of This Week Media:
#Barbie is a triumph. A pitch-perfect script backed by great performances—particularly from Ryan Gosling—turns what could be a simple studio comedy into a sharp commentary on our society that makes its nuance palatable for those that may not take it at face value. GG is 3/3. pic.twitter.com/MIVRtkmtbd
— Eze (@EzeBaum) July 10, 2023
“Barbie it is a triumph. A pitch-perfect script backed by great performances, particularly from Ryan Gosling, turns what could be a simple studio comedy into a sharp commentary on our society that makes its nuances palatable to those who don’t take it at face value. . Greta Gerwig is 3 of 3”.
Carla Renata, from The Curvy Film Critic:
I saw #BarbieTheMovie and Greta Gerwig left me all in my feelings as did the production design, costumes, Hair and makeup! I was living for the dance numbers led by Simu Liu! It’s overblown fun with a feminist twist😜💗 #BarbieMovie pic.twitter.com/tL7vaUsqT4
— Carla Renata (@TheCurvyCritic) July 10, 2023
“Saw Barbie and Greta Gerwig left it all to my feelings, just as she did the production design, costumes, hair and makeup. I live for dance numbers directed by Simu Liu! It’s excessive fun with a feminist twist.”
Here are more reactions from other independent critics, influencers and special guests:
Defy expectations
#BarbieMovie / #BarbieTheMovie is everything you wouldn’t expect. It peels the layers off the superficial doll we all grew up with while showing how Ken is more than an asset and is figuring his identity out. pic.twitter.com/585UL4nOTg
— Boss & CEO ✨ (@iamtycole) July 10, 2023
“Barbie It’s everything you wouldn’t expect. She peels back the layers of the shallow doll we all grew up with as she shows how Ken is more than just an accessory and is figuring out his identity.”
Heartwarming and hilarious!
#Barbie REVIEW: Heartfelt & hilarious! Margot Robbie’s crown jewel performance (Oscars here we come). It’s super fun, endearing & magical with a 3rd act that’ll beach you off. This isn’t just another comedy, it’s Greta Gerwig’s BEST movie ever!! A fitting end setting what’s next pic.twitter.com/qXPM8gSiqs
— Atom (@theatomreview) July 10, 2023
“Barbie: Heartwarming and hilarious! The performance of the jewel in the crown of Margot Robbie (Oscar, here we go). It’s super fun, endearing and magical with a third act that will leave you on the beach. This is not just another comedy, it is the BEST Greta Gerwig movie ever! With a fitting ending that sets up what follows.
This is truly a lovely movie that everyone can love. If you think it looks too ‘girly’ or not for you, you couldn’t be more wrong. It’s amazing how universal the themes are and this is going to make it explode at the box office. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew!”
A classic
#Barbie It was a deeply cathartic experience. It’s about industrialization of art/iconography forming sensibility instead of individualism, and Greta tells it with so much joy and heart. I was cackling at Gosling’s himbo Ken one scene and bawling my eyes out at the next. A classic
—ty (@DennisDuganFan) July 10, 2023
“Barbie was a deeply cathartic experience. It is about the industrialization of art and iconography forming sensitivity instead of individualism, and Greta tells it with great joy and heart. I was laughing out loud at Gosling’s Ken Himbo in one scene and crying my eyes out in the next. A classic”.
the hype is real
Greta Gerwig’s #Barbie is an ABSOLUTE marvel of a film. She is able to infuse this simple story with so much emotion, excitement, and comedy. Her style of her shines bright. Margot Robbie and gosling shine brighter then the sun, this is such a great movie. The hype is REAL. pic.twitter.com/Y6cPbT7nHS
– brian long (@brianlo16160896) July 10, 2023
“Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is an ABSOLUTE wonder of a movie. She is able to infuse this simple story with so much emotion, enthusiasm, and comedy. Her style shines brightly. Margot Robbie and Gosling shine brighter than the sun, this is a great movie. The hype is REAL.”
A triumph
#Barbie is a cinematic triumph. Gerwig is at the top of her game here, she’s crafted a film that’s not only gorgeous to look at, but poignant, clever and hilarious. Margot Robbie delivers an endearing and memorable performance, though it’s Gosling who stole every scene he was in pic.twitter.com/IU9ZrbKlnq
—Jack (@JStepback) July 10, 2023
“Barbie It’s a cinematic triumph. Greta Gerwig is on top of her game here. She has created a film that is not only beautiful to watch, but moving, intelligent, and hilarious. Margot Robbie gives an endearing and memorable performance, even though it’s Ryan Gosling who stole every scene she was in.”
What do you think of the first reactions towards Barbie? The film will be released in Mexican theaters next July 20th.
Staff Cinema PREMIERE This text was conceived, created and developed at the same time by a team of experts working in harmony. All together. One letter each.