Our friends, David & James, who are frequent-ish movie companions, asked us to go. I would assume they'd want to see Oppenheimer, and they do, but this was their first choice. We deferred to them.
It was shown at our art house theater, so instead of trekking to the 'burbs, we showed up (tickets pre-purchased) at a place 1.5 miles from us.
There was not an empty seat in the house. I'm 93% sure none of the youths there had been in that local, independent cinema.
I won't give away plot points too too much - if at all, but the script was clever. The execution, for the most part, was very good. The only spoiler, which is even in the trailer, Barbie goes to the real world.
This is how good a job Greta Gerwig did: she hired Will Ferrell and even he couldn't fuck up the movie. ...and they only played "Barbie Girl" for about 7 seconds, which was unexpected. matchbox 20 got more exposure.
I think Margot Robie did a great job. Ryan Gosling, whom I love, did pretty good. The hair and body were actually distracting. Maybe that was the point? It did not make me want to bump smooth parts with Ken.
Oddly, America Ferrera has a biggish part in it, and possibly the longest monologue of anyone in the movie, and it's on point.
There are other moments too - more subtle. One being my purposefully select image for today's post. And one with a character played by Rhea Pearlman. I know, right? .....and I was glad to see Issa Rae too.
I might have two criticisms, one of the movie, another possibly of the movie or maybe not.
1. Weird Barbie. Kate McKinnon was perfect, but shouldn't have Weird Barbie remained weird and not become a lot less so as the movie went on?
2. The sound. Often, I struggled with the muddiness of Ken's dialogue. And some of the songs. I cannot, unfortunately, rule out age-related anything here. It might all be me. Or some of it.
Clearly, I don't know a lot about Barbies and her cohort. Yes, I've heard of Midge and Skipper, but they use variations of the Mattel history of the dolls - all real things - that you'll laugh at because they sound so unreal. They are not. Who knew?
Right now, Barbie might be the best movie I've seen all year. .....and I never expected those words to ever come out of my mouth.
2023 Movie Count / Goal: 08 of 15
Song by: Elvis Costello
5 comments:
So much for going to see Ryan Gosling and the star of Oppenheimer gives me the creeps , always has . I’m wondering how he got such a huge movie.
I can't believe you liked it.
Okay, now I am intrigued. Unless this is a sponsored post? I can't imagine Saturday pet pictures are paying the bills.
(I kind of wish Raybeard was still reviewing movies.)
Barbie conquers another gay man (she is relentless).
Pleased to see Greta Gerwig's artistic career developing.
Will Jay
You still remember my reviews, Old L.? I'm truly flattered. It's now getting on for 3 years since I was last in a cinema - and 'fraid there's little chance of my returning imminently due to home circs (read 'cats'). Only vaguely do I follow what's released nowadays, though occasionally read reviews when one is posted in the blogs I follow, like here. But have to admit to not greatly missing the experience, especially now not having to brace myself for any scene coming up which might upset and overwhelm me, now acutely than ever before as I age. However, that particular case would be unlikely to occur with 'Barbie' - one would hope. :-)
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