Margot Robbie in 'Barbie', via Warner Bros.
Margot Robbie’s new movie Barbie had its world premiere over the weekend, and according to the first batch of reviews, the highly-anticipated film largely lives up to the hype.
Set to release on Friday, July 21, movie critics seem to think that Barbie is another hit for director Greta Gerwig, who has also helmed films such as Lady Bird and Little Women.
#Barbie caught me off guard & I mean that in the best way possible. It’s funny, bombastic, & very smart. Greta Gerwig aims for the fences & hits a home-run. Margot Robbie’s performance is great & @RyanGosling & @SimuLiu are pure entertainment! The whole cast is brilliant! pic.twitter.com/oXH965aUIF
— Joseph Deckelmeier (@joedeckelmeier) July 10, 2023
I have seen #Barbie! The craftsmanship is incredible. In particular the costume & production design includes next-level work that heavily contributes to creating the feeling that these truly are Barbies, their dream houses, and their worlds come to life.
As for the story, that’s… pic.twitter.com/97r3sSodcw
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) July 10, 2023
Further BARBIE thoughts to come but the number one is I can’t believe Greta Gerwig got away with it! (said admiringly)
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) July 10, 2023
Ryan Gosling’s portrayal of Ken, in particular, is receiving some rave reviews, with some people even thinking he may contend for an Academy Award.
I can't officially quit Twitter before telling you all that #Barbie is currently my favorite film of the year. Greta Gerwig somehow exceeded my expectations. She tackles the positives and negatives of Barbie so beautifully. Give Ryan Gosling an Oscar nomination, I'm dead serious!
— Jamie Jirak (@JamieCinematics) July 10, 2023
#BarbieTheMovie is witty, heartfelt, and downright fun at times. Ryan Gosling is a scene stealer delivering most of the laughs while Margot Robbie’s heartfelt performance will tug at your heartstrings. While I enjoyed most of the film the screenplay feels bloated at times pic.twitter.com/lepggZKZIX
— Sharronda Williams (@payorwait) July 10, 2023
#Barbie is perfection. Greta Gerwig delivers a nuanced commentary on what it means to be a woman in a whimsical, wonderful and laugh-out-loud funny romp. The entire cast shines, especially Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in roles they were clearly born to play. 🎀
— Katcy Stephan (@katcystephan) July 10, 2023
The premiere of Barbie, which was held in Los Angeles on Sunday, July 9, saw the likes of Robbie, Dua Lipa, and Gal Gadot (who’s not even in the movie) steal the show.
In addition to Robbie as Barbie and Gosling as Ken, Barbie also stars Emma Mackey, Kingley Ben-Air, America Ferrera, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Will Ferrell, John Cena, Michael Cera, Helen Mirren, and more.
At this time, Barbie is currently tracking to make in the range of $80 million at the domestic box office during its opening weekend.
While Robbie’s career certainly wasn’t in danger of going off the rails, she could certainly use the hit as her previous two projects, 2022’s Amsterdam and Babylon, were two of the biggest bombs of the year. Alongside Barbie, Robbie also had a small role in Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City, which hit movie theaters back in June.
Currently, both Robbie and Gosling are attached to star together in a 1960s Euopre-set reboot of the Ocean’s 11 franchise that’s set to be directed by Jay Roach. Given that Barbie is shaping up to be both a critical and commercial success, it should come as no surprise that Hollywood is looking to pair the two of them up again as soon as possible.