“Unveiling the Doll: A Critical Examination of Margot Robbie’s Barbie Film”

Barbie Reviews: Critics Offer Varied Perspectives on Margot Robbie Film

Published 4 hours ago

Life in plastic is mostly fantastic according to many critics, who have broadly praised the new Barbie movie. The highly anticipated film, set to be released this Friday, stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the lead roles. While some reviewers celebrate the film for its inventiveness and humor, others find it uneven and lacking depth. Directed by Greta Gerwig and made in collaboration with toy manufacturer Mattel, Barbie has generated much discussion among critics.

Broad Praise for Inventiveness and Humor

Empire Magazine describes the film as “painfully funny,” highlighting its comedic elements. Similarly, The Independent celebrates the movie as “joyous from minute to minute.” Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent gives the film a glowing five-star review, stating that Barbie is “one of the most inventive, immaculately crafted, and surprising mainstream films in recent memory.” She sees the film as a testament to the possibilities within capitalism, noting that even within the constraints of consumer culture, Barbie manages to achieve more than expected.

Robbie Collin of The Telegraph also offers a positive review, awarding the film four stars. He describes Barbie as “deeply bizarre, conceptually slippery, and often roar-out-loud hilarious.” Collin praises the film for avoiding being a mere cash grab and explores its satirical angle, which he believes will resonate more with older audiences than with younger viewers. He acknowledges that the film takes risks by poking fun at masculine stereotypes.

Mixed Perspectives on Representation

While many critics celebrate the film, there are those who express concerns about its representation of men. Sarah Vine of the Daily Mail labels the film “deeply anti-man” and criticizes its portrayal of men as idiots, bigots, or losers. She argues that if the roles were reversed, and a male director made a film casting women in a negative light, it would be rightly denounced as offensive and sexist. Vine concludes that the film is uneven and disjointed, with a plot that lacks coherence and is burdened by corporate interests.

A Lukewarm Reception

Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian offers a lukewarm review, awarding Barbie a three-star rating. He characterizes the film as good-natured but self-conscious, occasionally funny but lacking a fully realized comedic impact. According to Bradshaw, the film functions as a two-hour commercial for a product, similar to The Lego Movie, but Barbie falls short in delivering comedy as effectively.

Strong Performances and Directorial Prowess

Beth Webb of Empire lauds Margot Robbie’s performance as Barbie, describing it as “hilarious” and praises Ryan Gosling as a “scene-stealer” in the role of Ken. Devan Coggan of Entertainment Weekly affirms Greta Gerwig’s directorial skill and describes the film as a “fierce, funny, and deeply feminist adventure.” Gyarkye of the Hollywood Reporter, however, expresses reservations, stating that while Gerwig adds her signature touch and draws out deeper themes, the film remains tied to its commercial purpose.

Criticism and Controversies

Several critics offer different criticisms of the film. Valerie Complex of Deadline argues that Barbie mishandles its characters of color, using them as devices to advance stereotypical narratives. Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post expresses disappointment, describing Barbie as an “overwrought disappointment” that fails to live up to the packaging. Stephanie Zacharek of Time finds the film self-congratulatory and exhausting, suggesting that it tries too hard to be clever.

A New Narrative for the Iconic Doll

Peter DeBruge of Variety sees Barbie as a unique film that challenges expectations and encourages positive examples of female potential. He suggests that the film allows for a sense of humor in critiquing the brand’s past mistakes, emphasizing that Barbie represents more than a typical toy commercial.

As Barbie prepares to make its debut in theaters, critics’ reviews reflect the diversity of perspectives surrounding the film. Some celebrate the inventiveness and humor of the movie, while others raise concerns about its representation and overall coherence. Despite the divisive opinions, Barbie offers a fresh narrative for the iconic doll, exploring themes of feminism, comedy, and self-awareness within the realms of consumer culture.