Does it feel like Barbie, Greta Gerwig’s spin on Mattel’s star property, has been coming out for approximately 17 years? There have been trailers, promotional AirBnbs, an ever more mystifying array of collaborations, and a near-constant stream of quotable lines from its cast, which includes Margot Robbie (as Barbie), Issa Rae (also Barbie), Emma Mackey (uh, also Barbie) and, of course, Ryan Gosling (he’s Ken). But now, actual humans have seen the film, co-written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, which had its world premiere last night in Los Angeles. Here are the first reactions to one of summer’s hottest releases.
Screenrant’s Joseph Deckelmeier praises the cast and Gerwig’s ambition:
Collider’s Perri Nemiroff says “the craftmanship is incredible”: “In particular the costume & production design includes next-level work that heavily contrinbutes to creating the feeling that these truly are Barbies, their dream houses, and their worlds come to life.”
But Nemiroff is “more mixed” on the story:
In a rave review, Variety’s Katcy Stephan calls the film “perfection”.
Critic Sharronda Williams agrees that the film is “witty, heartfelt, and downright fun at times” but adds that the screenplay is sometimes “bloated”:
There is also a sense that Gerwig has pulled off something remarkable, taking a toy brand and turning it into a funny film. Kyle Buchanan of The New York Times says, “I can’t believe Greta Gerwig got away with it! (said admiringly).”
And finally, early reactions agree that Gosling is an early favourite in his role as Barbie’s slightly less self-aware sidekick:
He’s just Ken, except when he’s in Barbie apparently.
‘Barbie’ is in cinemas 21 July
