April 14, 2023 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | By Katie Rowley
Tuesday, April 4 began with an outpouring of excitement and the color pink for those who have been anxiously awaiting the release of the upcoming film “Barbie.”
In the years since its initial 2016 announcement, the film has undergone many changes. From the replacement of its lead actress, Amy Schumer, with Margot Robbie, all the way to interchanging directors that resulted in filming beginning as recent as 2022, to say its release has been a long time coming would be an understatement.
But, the six-year interlude allowed for an abundance of anticipation and somewhat of a cult following, and by now I consider myself a member of that cult.
The official Instagram for the film, @barbiethemovie, started our Tuesday morning on a high note, dropping character posters for the star-studded cast. Ryan Gosling, Michael Cera, Dua Lipa, Kate McKinnon, and Will Ferrell are among the many prominent names. The release of these posters also provided the perfect template for people to turn themselves into characters from the Barbie-verse as some sort of parody/meme trend to spread throughout the internet, accelerating its initial anticipation even more.
But this unveiling wasn’t the only surprise “Barbie” left us with. At 9:58 a.m. MST, the trailer dropped. Opening with an overview shot of ‘Barbie-Land,’ viewers are immediately transported to this pink paradise. The first shot of our main character, Barbie, played by Robbie, is off her feet, stepping out of pink heels and staying ‘en pointe,’ like an actual doll. Pure cinematic excellence.
The rest of the one minute, 43 second trailer introduces more of the characters and reveals a vibrant mise-en-scene, establishing the tone that is sure to prevail in the full-length film. Filled with dance scenes, more pink outfits than anyone thought possible, flipping cars, and a battle between Simu Liu and Gosling, both playing Ken, this trailer promises a wild, albeit colorful, ride. And, as someone who has followed the production thus far, this trailer only inflamed my excitement.
Despite the buzz surrounding the release of this trailer, many people felt it left too much unsaid, as the plot of the film is still very much a mystery.
Personally, I believe this trailer, and the film in general, does not even need a plot; however, I am sure there will be one. The grander point of Gerwig’s film seems to entice the audience to live in a fun, colorful nostalgia of their childhoods spent playing with Barbies.
This nostalgic-fun element is why other critiques following Tuesday’s release, such as Gosling’s age and inappropriate jokes included in the trailer (despite the movie’s PG-13 rating), fall flat. This movie wasn’t created with an audience of new Barbie fans in mind. It’s for us: the college girlies who grew up with Barbies and can now comprehend and laugh at the sex jokes and appreciate every aspect of the movie.
The movie is set for theatrical release on July 21; my friends and I are already planning our all-pink, ‘barbiecore’ outfits for the premiere. But, if you find yourself in need of a Barbie-related event to attend in the meantime, I hear that there may be a Barbie Party being thrown at one of the East Campus apartments on April 14, at 10 p.m…