Tomorrow is Pink Friday, and we’re not talking about Nicki Minaj’s iconic album. If you’ve been out of the loop, brace for a sea of pink, as everyone will be rocking the vibrant color all weekend long. And you know who we have to thank for this? Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Barbie movie.
On Tuesday, the review embargo on Barbie was lifted, and although it debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of over 90%, it has now settled at a still impressive 88% with 173 reviews. Most of its hype has been generated by its rivalry with Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which sparked the internet phenomenon that is now referred to as Barbenheimer.
Though the two films are diametrically opposed in genre, they share a common theme: Oppenheimer is a biopic of famous physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, while Barbie, in a way, serves as a biography of the iconic Mattel doll, Barbara “Barbie” Millicent.
Unlike its rival, which has garnered near-perfect scores from critics, Barbie is a tale of contrasts. Some critics absolutely adore the film, while others remain completely indifferent.
Take a gander at this quick round-up of Barbie reviews:
- Punch Drunk Critics – 3.5/5
- Indie Wire – A-
- ScreenCrush – 7/10
- RogerEbert – 3.5/4
- NME – 4/5
- Slant Magazine – 3.5/4
- New York Post – 1/4
These reviews shouldn’t come as a surprise if we consider the marketing that has been associated with the film. Mattel bombarded us with Barbie-themed products like the limited-edition Xbox Series S console and Burger King’s pink burger all summer long. Consequently, these marketing antics have shaped both positive and negative perceptions of the film, resulting in a mixed bag of opinions.
Mattel’s Barbie dolls have been around since the 1960s, evolving from a solely white doll to a diverse range of colors that represent various cultures across the world. Though the popular doll spans several generations, the core of Barbie’s story is a tale of feminism, weaved through comedy and fantasy.
Whether this message will resonate with audiences as well as it has with critics remains to be seen. But if early predictions hold true, Warner Bros. and Mattel will be laughing all the way to the bank by the time the film ends its theatrical run.
