Barbie Spoiler-Free Review: Ten Out of Ken for the Movie of the Year So Far

By Dylan Mann-Hazell, Content Writer at myGwork

The girls and gays are forming lines outside cinemas across the world. People are hosting sparkly cocktail pre-drink parties. Clothing stores are facing a major depletion of all pink and frilly items. This can only mean one thing...

It’s Oppenheimer’s opening week.

Coincidentally, it also happens to be the opening week of Greta Gerwig’s latest directional feature, Barbie. With its star-studded cast and enough promotional material to blow Marvel out of the water, the excitement building towards this movie over the past 6 months has been beyond palpable. From endless memes (she’s everything, he’s just Ken) to the impressive list of pop artists lined up for the soundtrack, anyone with the slightest access to the internet will have seen some reference to the Barbie movie this year. But what is the movie about, exactly, and does it live up to the hype?

Image Credit: Canva

Director and co-writer Greta Gerwig has gained a devoted following in recent years for her brutally honest exploration of feminist themes in her work. From the heart-wrenching Lady Bird, depicting a difficult relationship between a teenage girl and her mother, and her touching rendition of Little Women, which put more of a spotlight on protagonist Jo March than any adaptation before, it’s clear that Gerwig has a priority in her filmmaking: representing women. And with that, representing the distinctive struggles they face in a world too-often set against them. That’s where Barbie (Margot Robbie) comes in, in her dreamland matriarchal society where nothing can go wrong. That is, until she starts contemplating the soul-crushing inevitability of death.

For those with little-to-no context of the movie, take whatever pre-conceived notions you have about it, and throw them away. You won’t need them. From the ingenious opening, paying homage to one of the most renowned movies of all time, to the fantastic cut-away before the credits, Gerwig delivers an unpredictable, hilarious comedy adventure that will entertain audiences of all ages.

Witty (and often emotional) social commentary awaits older viewers, whereas younger viewers will stay entertained throughout by the fast-paced physical comedy, primarily delivered by Ken – a career highlight for Ryan Gosling (no, seriously). The likes of Kate McKinnon, Will Ferrell, Ncuti Gatwa and Hari Nef also provide many laughs throughout the feature, with the diverse list of talent involved surprising viewers at every turn.

It is a testament to the sheer genius of this film that whether you’ve grown up with nostalgia and love, resentment and irritation, or a complete indifference towards the Barbie brand, you will find something to enjoy in the story it has to tell. The awe-inspiring, confidence-boosting impact it will inspire in young girls alone made it worth creating, but it also makes a shining addition to your list of comfort films as a rainy-day classic.

Self-aware, instantly timeless, and striking a perfect balance between light-hearted entertainment and cathartic liberation; we’re only halfway there and it’s hard to imagine anything will surpass Barbie as the movie of 2023.

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