What happens when the false construct from the Matrix is Barbie’s Dreamworld and Barbie is Neo?
A musical with a pink and pastel backdrop.
I don’t like musicals, so there’s already a negative bias in this review. The overtly feminist themes are 100% ok with me. Male power fantasy is on display with the vast majority of Hollywood movies recently die to the superhero genre, and Wonder Woman/Captain Marvel aside, there’s not too many female power fantasies.
Secondly is the audience really 16–35 women? Just thinking out loud: 16–35 is target male demo for media. Those 16–35 women probably grew up with Barbie dolls and can relate to the VERY mature philosophical discussions and jokes that permeate the script. You couldn’t and shouldn’t take children to this. Too much to explain and too early…
Thirdly, I noted many British actors. The bad guy from Secret Invasion (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Ncuti Gatwa playing Black Ken(s) instead of Americans (probably couldn’t find body type that was less muscular compared to Ryan Gosling’s).
And how about Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Another musical for Gosling, and Robbie did… OK. I think she did fine as both a stereotypical and ordinary Barbie.
However, in conclusion the neon pastel aesthetic was not my jam. Musicals are not my jam. So I wouldn’t look to see it again but acknowledge that for other viewers, this is their version of The Matrix: a generational film.
First screened January 5, 2023 on Turkish Airlines.
