Hollywood blockbuster "Barbie" opened in theaters on Friday in Japan, but not before "Barbenheimer" memes equating the movie about dolls with the atomic bomb generated a commotion and prompted distributor Warner Bros to issue an apology.

Greta Gerwig's billionaire 'Barbie' opens in Japan

<p>Greta Gerwig's <em>Barbie </em>continues to break box office records and set new ones even in its fourth week in theatres. Now, thanks to the movie, Gerwig has solidified her place as the highest-grossing female director of all time at the domestic (North American) box office, surpassing the previous record set by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, the directors of <em>Frozen II</em>. <em>Frozen II</em>, released by Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2019, had amassed a domestic box office gross of $477.4 million. However, Gerwig's <em>Barbie </em>has surged ahead, reaching a domestic box office total of $478.1 million by Tuesday and soaring to an impressive $492.6 million by Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As of Friday, it has joined the exclusive club of films that have exceeded $500 million in domestic earnings. Earlier, the film became the first female-directed film to cross the $1 billion mark. It has grossed $1.06 billion until now.</p>

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<h2><strong>What is <em>Barbie </em>all about?</strong></h2>

<p>The focal point of <em>Barbie </em>is the main character, the eponymous doll Barbie (or more precisely, the Stereotypical Barbie), who sets out on a journey of self-discovery in the actual world. This choice arises once she recognises slight imperfections in her once impeccable body and life. With her partner Ken by her side, they traverse through reality, encountering obstacles linked to traditional beauty standards and societal expectations. Alongside Barbie, Ken, and their owner, Sasha, tackle their uncertainties and the pressures imposed by society. This journey prompts a significant shift in the social framework of Barbieland.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong><em>Barbie </em>review</strong></h2>

<p>Also Read: <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-barbie-review-margot-robbie-ryan-goslings-film-smart-funny-and-very-woke-618109">Barbie review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film smart, funny and very woke</a></strong></p>

<p>WION's Shomini Sen wrote in her review of <em>Barbie</em>, "I would still say that the film very smartly shows how society is and humanises the iconic doll. For decades Barbie<em> </em>has been one of the most popular toys for young girls, setting unrealistic standards of beauty. Sure, Mattel has reinvented the doll and made every girl believe that they can be whatever they want to be - just like their favourite doll, but the narrative of everything being overtly perfect has also done damage to several. Greta, in that sense, spins the narrative and adds a layer of cynicism to Barbieland to show how things are in real. Flawed, depressed, and definitely not perfect- even though the plastic remains constant."<br />
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Greta Gerwig's Barbie continues to break box office records and set new ones even in its fourth week in theatres. Now, thanks to the movie, Gerwig has solidified her place as the highest-grossing female director of all time at the domestic (North American) box office, surpassing the previous record set by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, the directors of Frozen II.

Greta Gerwig's Barbie continues to break box office records and set new ones even in its fourth week in theatres. Now, thanks to the movie, Gerwig has solidified her place as the highest-grossing female director of all time at the domestic (North American) box office, surpassing the previous record set by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, the directors of Frozen II. Frozen II, released by Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2019, had amassed a domestic box office gross of $477.4 million. However, Gerwig's Barbie has surged ahead, reaching a domestic box office total of $478.1 million by Tuesday and soaring to an impressive $492.6 million by Thursday. As of Friday, it has joined the exclusive club of films that have exceeded $500 million in domestic earnings. Earlier, the film became the first female-directed film to cross the $1 billion mark. It has grossed $1.06 billion until now. What is Barbie all about? The focal point of Barbie is the main character, the eponymous doll Barbie (or more precisely, the Stereotypical Barbie), who sets out on a journey of self-discovery in the actual world. This choice arises once she recognises slight imperfections in her once impeccable body and life. With her partner Ken by her side, they traverse through reality, encountering obstacles linked to traditional beauty standards and societal expectations. Alongside Barbie, Ken, and their owner, Sasha, tackle their uncertainties and the pressures imposed by society. This journey prompts a significant shift in the social framework of Barbieland. Barbie review Also Read: Barbie review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film smart, funny and very woke WION's Shomini Sen wrote in her review of Barbie, "I would still say that the film very smartly shows how society is and humanises the iconic doll. For decades Barbie has been one of the most popular toys for young girls, setting unrealistic standards of beauty. Sure, Mattel has reinvented the doll and made every girl believe that they can be whatever they want to be - just like their favourite doll, but the narrative of everything being overtly perfect has also done damage to several. Greta, in that sense, spins the narrative and adds a layer of cynicism to Barbieland to show how things are in real. Flawed, depressed, and definitely not perfect- even though the plastic remains constant." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Barbie breaks box office record, is now highest-grossing female-directed film in US

<p>Bill Maher, political commentator and the host of HBO's Real Time, has come down hard on Greta Gerwig's <em>Barbie </em>movie, which stars Margot Robbie in the lead. Writing on X (earlier known as Twitter), he penned a lengthy critique of the movie, which recently exceeded the $1 billion mark in global box office earnings. He said that he had hoped the film would not be "preachy" or "man-hating". He added that the movie also propagates what he called a "#ZombieLie", explaining, “What is a Zombie Lie? Something that never was true, but certain people refuse to stop saying it (tax cuts for the rich increase revenues, e.g.); OR something that USED to be true but no longer is, but certain people pretend it’s still true."</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-opinion--is-barbie-really-an-anti-male-movie-622580">Opinion | Is Barbie really an anti-male movie?</a></strong></p>

<p>"<em>Barbie </em>is this kind of #ZombieLie. Spoiler alert, <em>Barbie </em>fights the Patriarchy. Right up to the Mattel board who created her, consisting of 12 white men! The Patriarchy! Except there’s a Mattel board in real life, and it’s 7 men and 5 women. OK, not perfect even-steven, but not the way the board IN THE MOVIE – which takes place in 2023 – is portrayed. And not really any longer deserving of the word ‘patriarchy.’ Yes, there was one, and remnants of it remain – but this movie is so 2000-LATE," said Maher.</p>

<p>He added, "At one point the <em>Barbies </em>have to win over the Kens, and they are told to do it by pretending to act helpless and not know how to do stuff. Helen Gurley Brown called, she wants her premise back. Yes, that WAS a thing. I saw <em>Barbie </em>with a woman in her 30s who said, ‘I don’t know a single woman of any age who would act like that today.'”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">OK, "Barbie": I was hoping it wouldn't be preachy, man-hating, and a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZombieLie?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZombieLie</a> - alas, it was all three. What is a Zombie Lie? Something that never was true, but certain people refuse to stop saying it (tax cuts for the rich increase revenues, e.g.); OR something that USED to be…</p>
— Bill Maher (@billmaher) <a href="https://twitter.com/billmaher/status/1688648703660404736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Addressing the potential criticism of a man discussing the concept of the Patriarchy, Maher countered that he is aware of the prevailing world around him and uses available data to form his opinions. He pointed out that the actual Mattel board is reflective of a balanced representation of genders, closely mirroring the composition of corporate boards in the country. To Maher, his perspective aligns with current realities, and he dismissed those who disagree as clinging to outdated ideas.</p>

<p>“I know, I know, ‘How could I know about the patriarchy, I AM a man! That argument is so old and so silly. Of course, none of us can know exactly what others go through life, but I can see the world around me, and I can read data. The real Mattel board is a pretty close mirror of the country, where 45% of the 449 board seats filled last year in Fortune 500 companies were women. Truth is, I’m not the one who’s out of step – I’m living in the year we’re living in. <em>Barbie </em>is fun, I enjoyed it – but it IS a #ZombieLie. And people who don’t go along with zombie lies did not take some red pill – just staying true to CURRENT reality. Let’s live in the year we’re living in!" he said.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-explained--how-margot-robbies-barbie-rewrote-the-box-office-rulebook-623450">Explained | Barbie crossed $1bn. Why it's not just another box office number</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Response to Bill Maher's review of <em>Barbie</em></strong></h2>

<p>Maher's critique garnered significant attention and sparked a lively online debate. Supporters of his viewpoint applauded his candid analysis. They highlighted that his call for aligning storytelling with the present reality resonated with their own frustrations about the misrepresentation of gender dynamics in media.</p>

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<p>However, the movie's proponents argued that his interpretation might miss the point of creative storytelling. They contended that movies often exaggerate elements for dramatic effect, and while the Mattel board's portrayal might be an artistic choice, the broader themes of challenging stereotypes and promoting empowerment should be the primary focus. After all, <em>Barbie </em>is a fantasy movie and marketed as such. Movies can make broader points about certain social issues without actually being dead accurate about them.</p>

<p>They noted that debates over accuracy in fictional works often involve a balance between creative expression and representing contemporary social issues.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-barbie-review-margot-robbie-ryan-goslings-film-smart-funny-and-very-woke-618109">Barbie review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film is smart, funny and very woke</a></p>

<h2><strong>What is <em>Barbie </em>all about?</strong></h2>

<p>The focal point of <em>Barbie </em>is the main character, the eponymous doll Barbie (or more precisely, the Stereotypical Barbie), who sets out on a journey of self-discovery in the actual world. This choice arises once she recognises slight imperfections in her once impeccable body and life. With her partner Ken by her side, they traverse through reality, encountering obstacles linked to traditional beauty standards and societal expectations. Alongside Barbie, Ken, and their owner, Sasha, tackle their uncertainties and the pressures imposed by society. This journey prompts a significant shift in the social framework of Barbieland.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Bill Maher, political commentator and the host of HBO's Real Time, has come down hard on Greta Gerwig's Barbie movie, which stars Margot Robbie in the lead. Writing on X (earlier known as Twitter), he penned a lengthy critique of the movie, which recently exceeded the $1 billion mark in global box office earnings.

Bill Maher, political commentator and the host of HBO's Real Time, has come down hard on Greta Gerwig's Barbie movie, which stars Margot Robbie in the lead. Writing on X (earlier known as Twitter), he penned a lengthy critique of the movie, which recently exceeded the $1 billion mark in global box office earnings. He said that he had hoped the film would not be "preachy" or "man-hating". He added that the movie also propagates what he called a "#ZombieLie", explaining, “What is a Zombie Lie? Something that never was true, but certain people refuse to stop saying it (tax cuts for the rich increase revenues, e.g.); OR something that USED to be true but no longer is, but certain people pretend it’s still true." Also Read: Opinion | Is Barbie really an anti-male movie? "Barbie is this kind of #ZombieLie. Spoiler alert, Barbie fights the Patriarchy. Right up to the Mattel board who created her, consisting of 12 white men! The Patriarchy! Except there’s a Mattel board in real life, and it’s 7 men and 5 women. OK, not perfect even-steven, but not the way the board IN THE MOVIE – which takes place in 2023 – is portrayed. And not really any longer deserving of the word ‘patriarchy.’ Yes, there was one, and remnants of it remain – but this movie is so 2000-LATE," said Maher. He added, "At one point the Barbies have to win over the Kens, and they are told to do it by pretending to act helpless and not know how to do stuff. Helen Gurley Brown called, she wants her premise back. Yes, that WAS a thing. I saw Barbie with a woman in her 30s who said, ‘I don’t know a single woman of any age who would act like that today.'” OK, "Barbie": I was hoping it wouldn't be preachy, man-hating, and a #ZombieLie - alas, it was all three. What is a Zombie Lie? Something that never was true, but certain people refuse to stop saying it (tax cuts for the rich increase revenues, e.g.); OR something that USED to be… — Bill Maher (@billmaher) August 7, 2023 × Addressing the potential criticism of a man discussing the concept of the Patriarchy, Maher countered that he is aware of the prevailing world around him and uses available data to form his opinions. He pointed out that the actual Mattel board is reflective of a balanced representation of genders, closely mirroring the composition of corporate boards in the country. To Maher, his perspective aligns with current realities, and he dismissed those who disagree as clinging to outdated ideas. “I know, I know, ‘How could I know about the patriarchy, I AM a man! That argument is so old and so silly. Of course, none of us can know exactly what others go through life, but I can see the world around me, and I can read data. The real Mattel board is a pretty close mirror of the country, where 45% of the 449 board seats filled last year in Fortune 500 companies were women. Truth is, I’m not the one who’s out of step – I’m living in the year we’re living in. Barbie is fun, I enjoyed it – but it IS a #ZombieLie. And people who don’t go along with zombie lies did not take some red pill – just staying true to CURRENT reality. Let’s live in the year we’re living in!" he said. Also Read: Explained | Barbie crossed $1bn. Why it's not just another box office number Response to Bill Maher's review of Barbie Maher's critique garnered significant attention and sparked a lively online debate. Supporters of his viewpoint applauded his candid analysis. They highlighted that his call for aligning storytelling with the present reality resonated with their own frustrations about the misrepresentation of gender dynamics in media. However, the movie's proponents argued that his interpretation might miss the point of creative storytelling. They contended that movies often exaggerate elements for dramatic effect, and while the Mattel board's portrayal might be an artistic choice, the broader themes of challenging stereotypes and promoting empowerment should be the primary focus. After all, Barbie is a fantasy movie and marketed as such. Movies can make broader points about certain social issues without actually being dead accurate about them. They noted that debates over accuracy in fictional works often involve a balance between creative expression and representing contemporary social issues. Also Read: Barbie review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film is smart, funny and very woke What is Barbie all about? The focal point of Barbie is the main character, the eponymous doll Barbie (or more precisely, the Stereotypical Barbie), who sets out on a journey of self-discovery in the actual world. This choice arises once she recognises slight imperfections in her once impeccable body and life. With her partner Ken by her side, they traverse through reality, encountering obstacles linked to traditional beauty standards and societal expectations. Alongside Barbie, Ken, and their owner, Sasha, tackle their uncertainties and the pressures imposed by society. This journey prompts a significant shift in the social framework of Barbieland. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Bill Maher slams 'preachy' and 'man-hating' Barbie movie: This movie is so 2000-LATE

<p>This Barbie is loved by all! Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling starrer<em> Barbie </em>has crossed USD 1 billion globally within the third week of its release. The film has been directed by Greta Gerwig and takes a spin on the age-old image of the iconic doll.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Taking to Instagram, the makers announced the news with a special post which they captioned, “Here’s to our incredible Barbies and Kens from all around the world for making our Barbie dreams come true. We’re excited to share that #BarbieTheMovie has hit $1 Billion at the Global Box Office.”</p>

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<p><em>Barbie'</em>s stupendous earnings also makes director Greta Gerwig the first-ever solo female filmmaker with a billion-dollar film. Three other billion-dollar blockbusters were co-directed by women, including <em>Frozen </em>(USD 1.3 billion) and <em>Frozen 2</em> (USD 1.45 billion) both co-directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, as well as <em>Captain Marvel </em>(USD 1.1 billion), co-directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck.</p>

<p>Barbie hit the milestone just after 17 days of its release, becoming the fastest Warner Bros. release to join the USD 1 billion club. Earlier the fantasy drama film<em> Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2</em> held that record at 19 days.</p>

<p>It’s only the second blockbuster this year and the sixth of the pandemic era to cross USD 1 billion, following <em>Spider-Man: No Way Home</em>, <em>Top Gun: Maverick</em>, <em>Jurassic World Dominion </em>and <em>Avatar: The Way of Water.</em><br />
<br />
The <em>Barbie</em> movie stars Margot Robbie as the famous doll and Ryan Gosling as her boyfriend Ken. It was released in theatres on July 21.</p>

<p>According to reports, Greta's directorial <em>Barbie </em>raked in USD 155 million in its opening weekend, marking the biggest debut ever for a film directed by a woman. <em>Barbie</em> cost USD 145 million, not including a marketing campaign that propelled the movie into the mainstream long before it landed in theatres.</p>

<p>Gerwig, the Oscar-nominated director of Lady Bird and Little Women, co-wrote the film’s screenplay with Noah Baumbach.<br />
<br />
<em>Barbie </em>was released on the same day as Christopher Nolan's <em>Oppenheimer. </em>Both films received critical praise worldwide.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


This Barbie is loved by all! Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling starrer Barbie has crossed USD 1 billion globally within the third week of its release. The film has been directed by Greta Gerwig and takes a spin on the age-old image of the iconic doll.

This Barbie is loved by all! Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling starrer Barbie has crossed USD 1 billion globally within the third week of its release. The film has been directed by Greta Gerwig and takes a spin on the age-old image of the iconic doll. Taking to Instagram, the makers announced the news with a special post which they captioned, “Here’s to our incredible Barbies and Kens from all around the world for making our Barbie dreams come true. We’re excited to share that #BarbieTheMovie has hit $1 Billion at the Global Box Office.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by BARBIE (@barbiethemovie) × Barbie's stupendous earnings also makes director Greta Gerwig the first-ever solo female filmmaker with a billion-dollar film. Three other billion-dollar blockbusters were co-directed by women, including Frozen (USD 1.3 billion) and Frozen 2 (USD 1.45 billion) both co-directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, as well as Captain Marvel (USD 1.1 billion), co-directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Barbie hit the milestone just after 17 days of its release, becoming the fastest Warner Bros. release to join the USD 1 billion club. Earlier the fantasy drama film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 held that record at 19 days. It’s only the second blockbuster this year and the sixth of the pandemic era to cross USD 1 billion, following Spider-Man: No Way Home, Top Gun: Maverick, Jurassic World Dominion and Avatar: The Way of Water. The Barbie movie stars Margot Robbie as the famous doll and Ryan Gosling as her boyfriend Ken. It was released in theatres on July 21. According to reports, Greta's directorial Barbie raked in USD 155 million in its opening weekend, marking the biggest debut ever for a film directed by a woman. Barbie cost USD 145 million, not including a marketing campaign that propelled the movie into the mainstream long before it landed in theatres. Gerwig, the Oscar-nominated director of Lady Bird and Little Women, co-wrote the film’s screenplay with Noah Baumbach. Barbie was released on the same day as Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. Both films received critical praise worldwide.

Barbie earns over USD 1 billion worldwide, a first for female director to cross such milestone

<p>In a cinematic landscape often dominated by tried-and-true formulas and established franchises, Greta Gerwig's <em>Barbie </em>has emerged as an unexpected and groundbreaking success story, crossing the elusive $1 billion mark at the box office. Notably, this achievement marks a historic milestone, as it becomes the first female-directed film to attain such a monumental feat. The film's journey to this pinnacle of success is a confluence of several factors, ranging from a resonant storyline to a stellar cast and impeccable direction that together redefined traditional narrative norms. The film has not only been an unprecedented success at the global box office but also shattered long-standing beliefs about the potential of female-directed films to become colossal commercial successes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-barbie-review-margot-robbie-ryan-goslings-film-smart-funny-and-very-woke-618109"><em>Barbie </em>review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film is smart, funny and very woke</a></strong></p>

<h2>What was <em>Barbie </em>all about?</h2>

<p><em>Barbie </em>revolves around the central character, the titular doll Barbie (or more accurately, the Stereotypical Barbie), embarking on a voyage of self-exploration into the real world. This decision comes after she becomes aware of minor flaws in her previously-flawless body and existence. Accompanied by Ken, her companion, they navigate through the real world, coming face to face with challenges related to conventional beauty norms and societal anticipations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Alongside Barbie, Ken, and their owner, Sasha, tackle their uncertainties and the pressures imposed by society. This journey prompts a significant shift in the social framework of Barbieland.&nbsp;</p>

<p>How did Barbie become a box office behemoth? Here are the major factors behind it.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/barbenheimer-dissecting-the-hype-around-barbie-and-oppenheimer-wion-podcast-619360/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>1. Nostalgia but with a touch of contemporary cultural nuance</h2>

<p>At the heart of the film's triumph lies the reimagining of a beloved cultural icon—the Barbie doll. For decades, Barbie has been more than just a toy; she has symbolised dreams, aspirations, and societal expectations. The film successfully tapped into this nostalgia but with a fresh and empowering perspective. By introducing imperfections into Barbie's life, the film dismantled the notion of an unattainable, picture-perfect existence, resonating with audiences young and old. In a time when conversations around self-acceptance, body positivity, and personal growth are more relevant than ever, the film's narrative struck a chord with viewers around the globe.</p>

<h2><strong>2. A timely and relevant story</strong></h2>

<p><em>Barbie </em>ventured beyond the confines of a mere toy-inspired tale and delved into profound social and psychological themes. The central journey of Barbie and Ken into the real world acted as a metaphor for self-discovery and challenged&nbsp;societal norms. The exploration of beauty standards, societal expectations, and the internal struggles faced by the characters made the story thought-provoking.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/critically-speaking-margot-robbies-barbie-is-funny-and-clever-618237/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2><strong>3. A stellar ensemble cast</strong></h2>

<p>The star-studded cast, headlined by Robbie, contributed significantly to the film's appeal. With actors like Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, and Will Ferrell, the film boasted a diverse range of talent. The script, penned by Gerwig and her partner Noah Baumbach, allowed every actor to bring something interesting to the story. Barbie released before the SAG-AFTRA strike and thus Gerwig and the actors were able to relentlessly promote the movie through interviews.</p>

<h2><strong>4. A strong directorial vision and authenticity</strong></h2>

<p>Gerwig's unique directorial voice breathed life into the film's characters and themes. Known for her exceptional work in films like Lady Bird and Little Women, she brought her signature blend of emotional depth, wit, and authenticity to Barbie. Her understanding of complex human emotions and her ability to draw multi-dimensional characters added layers of meaning to the story.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>5. Ingenious global marketing and outreach</strong></h2>

<p>The success of <em>Barbie </em>was also a testament to a well-executed marketing strategy by Warner Bros that catered to a global audience. At one point it appeared the film had appropriated the colour pink, and everything that was even of a similar shade was said to be promoting the movie.</p>

<p>With the onset of spring in 2023, a flood of <em>Barbie </em>character posters inundated the scene, accompanied by the unveiling of a website named Barbie Selfie Generator. This platform allowed individuals to seamlessly incorporate their own selfies or chosen images into the format of the iconic Barbie character posters. &nbsp;The appearance of a large Barbie-themed box at theatres showcasing the movie presented an opportunity for visitors to participate in photo opportunities, showcasing their unique poses, social circles, and individual elements, all while promoting the blockbuster.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/decoding-the-barbie-mania-wion-e-club-620595/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>In such ways, the studio ingeniously incorporated the general public into the film's marketing campaign without even their awareness. It was brilliant and proved to be effective.</p>

<p>The film's message of empowerment and self-acceptance transcended cultural boundaries, making it relatable to audiences from different backgrounds. The marketing team capitalised on this universality by tailoring promotional materials to resonate with diverse sensibilities. Moreover, the involvement of the star-studded cast in promotional activities, along with engaging social media campaigns, helped generate buzz and anticipation before the film's release.</p>

<p>We do not have figures at the moment, but <em>Barbie</em>'s association with Christopher Nolan's <em>Oppenheimer </em>and the 'Barbenheimer' memes that flooded the internet likely helped both movies. The idea of viewing both movies as a double feature proved to be strangely appealing to moviegoers across the world, despite the fact that the films are vastly different in terms of tone.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-oppenheimer-review-nolans-visually-stunning-epic-fuses-genius-and-guilt-618110"><em>Oppenheimer </em>review: Nolan's visually stunning epic fuses genius and guilt</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>6. Positive critical reception</strong></h2>

<p>And obviously, the film was received very well by critics. Acclaim certainly played a pivotal role in propelling <em>Barbie </em>to its billion-dollar success. Critics praised the film's bold narrative choices, compelling performances, and timely themes. The positive reviews not only attracted a discerning adult audience but also added an air of legitimacy to the film's message and artistic merit.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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In a cinematic landscape often dominated by tried-and-true formulas and established franchises, Greta Gerwig's Barbie has emerged as an unexpected and groundbreaking success story, crossing the elusive $1 billion mark at the box office.

In a cinematic landscape often dominated by tried-and-true formulas and established franchises, Greta Gerwig's Barbie has emerged as an unexpected and groundbreaking success story, crossing the elusive $1 billion mark at the box office. Notably, this achievement marks a historic milestone, as it becomes the first female-directed film to attain such a monumental feat. The film's journey to this pinnacle of success is a confluence of several factors, ranging from a resonant storyline to a stellar cast and impeccable direction that together redefined traditional narrative norms. The film has not only been an unprecedented success at the global box office but also shattered long-standing beliefs about the potential of female-directed films to become colossal commercial successes. Also Read: Barbie review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film is smart, funny and very woke What was Barbie all about? Barbie revolves around the central character, the titular doll Barbie (or more accurately, the Stereotypical Barbie), embarking on a voyage of self-exploration into the real world. This decision comes after she becomes aware of minor flaws in her previously-flawless body and existence. Accompanied by Ken, her companion, they navigate through the real world, coming face to face with challenges related to conventional beauty norms and societal anticipations. Alongside Barbie, Ken, and their owner, Sasha, tackle their uncertainties and the pressures imposed by society. This journey prompts a significant shift in the social framework of Barbieland. How did Barbie become a box office behemoth? Here are the major factors behind it. 1. Nostalgia but with a touch of contemporary cultural nuance At the heart of the film's triumph lies the reimagining of a beloved cultural icon—the Barbie doll. For decades, Barbie has been more than just a toy; she has symbolised dreams, aspirations, and societal expectations. The film successfully tapped into this nostalgia but with a fresh and empowering perspective. By introducing imperfections into Barbie's life, the film dismantled the notion of an unattainable, picture-perfect existence, resonating with audiences young and old. In a time when conversations around self-acceptance, body positivity, and personal growth are more relevant than ever, the film's narrative struck a chord with viewers around the globe. 2. A timely and relevant story Barbie ventured beyond the confines of a mere toy-inspired tale and delved into profound social and psychological themes. The central journey of Barbie and Ken into the real world acted as a metaphor for self-discovery and challenged societal norms. The exploration of beauty standards, societal expectations, and the internal struggles faced by the characters made the story thought-provoking. 3. A stellar ensemble cast The star-studded cast, headlined by Robbie, contributed significantly to the film's appeal. With actors like Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, and Will Ferrell, the film boasted a diverse range of talent. The script, penned by Gerwig and her partner Noah Baumbach, allowed every actor to bring something interesting to the story. Barbie released before the SAG-AFTRA strike and thus Gerwig and the actors were able to relentlessly promote the movie through interviews. 4. A strong directorial vision and authenticity Gerwig's unique directorial voice breathed life into the film's characters and themes. Known for her exceptional work in films like Lady Bird and Little Women, she brought her signature blend of emotional depth, wit, and authenticity to Barbie. Her understanding of complex human emotions and her ability to draw multi-dimensional characters added layers of meaning to the story. 5. Ingenious global marketing and outreach The success of Barbie was also a testament to a well-executed marketing strategy by Warner Bros that catered to a global audience. At one point it appeared the film had appropriated the colour pink, and everything that was even of a similar shade was said to be promoting the movie. With the onset of spring in 2023, a flood of Barbie character posters inundated the scene, accompanied by the unveiling of a website named Barbie Selfie Generator. This platform allowed individuals to seamlessly incorporate their own selfies or chosen images into the format of the iconic Barbie character posters. The appearance of a large Barbie-themed box at theatres showcasing the movie presented an opportunity for visitors to participate in photo opportunities, showcasing their unique poses, social circles, and individual elements, all while promoting the blockbuster. In such ways, the studio ingeniously incorporated the general public into the film's marketing campaign without even their awareness. It was brilliant and proved to be effective. The film's message of empowerment and self-acceptance transcended cultural boundaries, making it relatable to audiences from different backgrounds. The marketing team capitalised on this universality by tailoring promotional materials to resonate with diverse sensibilities. Moreover, the involvement of the star-studded cast in promotional activities, along with engaging social media campaigns, helped generate buzz and anticipation before the film's release. We do not have figures at the moment, but Barbie's association with Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer and the 'Barbenheimer' memes that flooded the internet likely helped both movies. The idea of viewing both movies as a double feature proved to be strangely appealing to moviegoers across the world, despite the fact that the films are vastly different in terms of tone. Also Read: Oppenheimer review: Nolan's visually stunning epic fuses genius and guilt 6. Positive critical reception And obviously, the film was received very well by critics. Acclaim certainly played a pivotal role in propelling Barbie to its billion-dollar success. Critics praised the film's bold narrative choices, compelling performances, and timely themes. The positive reviews not only attracted a discerning adult audience but also added an air of legitimacy to the film's message and artistic merit. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained | Barbie crossed $1bn. Why it's not just another box office number

<p>In the realm of filmmaking, few titles have garnered as much attention and controversy recently as <em>Barbie</em>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Far from a mere doll-based escapade for children, this groundbreaking movie dares to traverse uncharted territory, exploring intricate themes that transcend superficiality.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Directed by visionary filmmaker Greta Gerwig, <em>Barbie</em> captivates audiences with its poignant narrative, unveiling a world of empowerment, self-discovery, and gender dynamics.</p>

<p>However, there have been some exceedingly reductive people who, regrettably, approached the cinematic masterpiece with a lamentable lack of depth or analytical acumen. With no heed paid to Gerwig’s true intentions, they brazenly arrived at a conclusion: that it's an anti-male movie.</p>

<h3><strong>Sample a few comments:</strong></h3>

<p>“Either you’re a third wave feminist who hates men, truly hates men, or you’re brainwashed.”</p>

<p>“I mean, Greta Gerwig is a lady. She’s making a good living off of this”</p>

<p>“An angry feminist claptrap”</p>

<p>The above criticisms were voiced by Ben Shapiro, a prominent conservative columnist, political commentator, and media personality with a substantial 6.18 million subscribers on YouTube. In an almost hour-long video, he vehemently criticised the film and, at his grown age, lit Barbie dolls on fire.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jack Posobiec, a popular figure in right wing media circles, echoed, “possibly the most anti-male film ever made.”</p>

<p>Elon Musk tweeted, “you take a shot every time Barbie says the word ‘patriarchy’, you will pass out before the movie ends.”</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-barbie-continues-to-shatters-box-office-records-set-to-hit-1bn-by-sunday-622036">Barbie continues to shatter box office records, set to hit $1 billion by Monday</a></strong></p>

<p>"The 2023 Barbie movie, unfortunately, neglects to address any notion of faith or family, and tries to normalise that men and women can't collaborate positively (yuck)," tweeted by Giner Gaetz, the wife of Florida Rep Matt Gaetz.</p>

<h2>The point of the movie was misconstrued</h2>

<p>The film does not espouse a simplistic binary view of feminism or promote hatred towards men. Rather, it strives to challenge traditional gender norms and encourages empathy and understanding between genders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Yes, Ken is shown to be a character with no professional abilities, his job is “just beach”, while the Barbies are doctors, politicians and nobel prize winners. He just gets in her way. He inhabits a pink realm bearing Barbie's name, yearning for her attention .</p>

<p>To put it this way it does seem misandrist, but an X (formerly Twitter) user @KaylynBayron breaks it down flawlessly, “Did you dislike how Ken was portrayed? Did it make you uncomfortable to see his identity tied solely to his perceived romantic interest and that he was only validated when seen through her gaze? You're really close to realising something big, sweetie. Keep going.”</p>

<p>The movie isn’t brewing hatred for men, Gerwig was simply subverting the familiar narratives and roles of a gendered society.&nbsp;</p>

<p>'Barbieland' is an inverted macrocosm of the contemporary world, its patriarchy and the manner in which women are situated at the margins. It is unabashedly conscious of its political standpoint, delivering commentative scenes in the 'Real World,' where a man proclaims, "We still do patriarchy, we just hide it better."</p>

<p>It’s not about animosity towards men, rather an exaggerated comment at how the world would be the other way round.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It’s not uncommon to see movies featuring heroic male leads with shallow relationships, where women are reduced to mere accessories.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A one-night stand will pour him a drink, distract him from the deeply unsettling problems &nbsp;that burden him, wake up next to him asking dumb questions while he’s plotting his next big move and then he will disappear to save the world.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-marc-maron-calls-out-insecure-men-trying-to-cancel-barbie-lauds-it-as-fking-masterpiece-621943">Marc Maron calls out 'insecure men' trying to cancel Barbie, lauds it as 'f**king masterpiece'</a></strong></p>

<p>Ken’s role just calls out these stereotypes, prompting us to question societal expectations and the portrayal of gender roles in mainstream cinema.</p>

<h2>The Kens are supposed to adopt “himbo-ism”</h2>

<p>In a parody of toxic masculinity, <em>Barbie</em> watchers can’t expect no shots taken at the fragile male ego.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If people focused on taking those lightly, they’d notice a movie that “hates men” would stop right at those scenes (to mention my personal favourite, “Tell him you’ve never seen The Godfather”), but it doesn't.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Instead, <em>Barbie</em> delves deeper, revealing that the patriarchy harms both men and women alike, portraying a shared struggle for authentic self-expression and personal fulfilment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One compelling scene in the film features Ken engaging in a vulnerable conversation with Barbie, expressing his desire to pursue his passions beyond societal expectations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This moment, and Allan’s misfit character (a short-lived doll once introduced by Barbie maker Mattel as Ken's best friend) &nbsp;showcase the stifling effects of traditional gender roles on men, coming back to how patriarchal frameworks can constrain male emotional expression and personal growth. It, quite literally, offered Ken an apology.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If you are offended by the movie, insecure about what gender role you play or feeling reduced to a stereotype, &nbsp;just know that you are ‘Kenough’.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


In the realm of filmmaking, few titles have garnered as much attention and controversy recently as Barbie. Far from a mere doll-based escapade for children, this groundbreaking movie dares to traverse uncharted territory, exploring intricate themes that transcend superficiality.

In the realm of filmmaking, few titles have garnered as much attention and controversy recently as Barbie. Far from a mere doll-based escapade for children, this groundbreaking movie dares to traverse uncharted territory, exploring intricate themes that transcend superficiality. Directed by visionary filmmaker Greta Gerwig, Barbie captivates audiences with its poignant narrative, unveiling a world of empowerment, self-discovery, and gender dynamics. However, there have been some exceedingly reductive people who, regrettably, approached the cinematic masterpiece with a lamentable lack of depth or analytical acumen. With no heed paid to Gerwig’s true intentions, they brazenly arrived at a conclusion: that it's an anti-male movie. Sample a few comments: “Either you’re a third wave feminist who hates men, truly hates men, or you’re brainwashed.” “I mean, Greta Gerwig is a lady. She’s making a good living off of this” “An angry feminist claptrap” The above criticisms were voiced by Ben Shapiro, a prominent conservative columnist, political commentator, and media personality with a substantial 6.18 million subscribers on YouTube. In an almost hour-long video, he vehemently criticised the film and, at his grown age, lit Barbie dolls on fire. Jack Posobiec, a popular figure in right wing media circles, echoed, “possibly the most anti-male film ever made.” Elon Musk tweeted, “you take a shot every time Barbie says the word ‘patriarchy’, you will pass out before the movie ends.” Also read | Barbie continues to shatter box office records, set to hit $1 billion by Monday "The 2023 Barbie movie, unfortunately, neglects to address any notion of faith or family, and tries to normalise that men and women can't collaborate positively (yuck)," tweeted by Giner Gaetz, the wife of Florida Rep Matt Gaetz. The point of the movie was misconstrued The film does not espouse a simplistic binary view of feminism or promote hatred towards men. Rather, it strives to challenge traditional gender norms and encourages empathy and understanding between genders. Yes, Ken is shown to be a character with no professional abilities, his job is “just beach”, while the Barbies are doctors, politicians and nobel prize winners. He just gets in her way. He inhabits a pink realm bearing Barbie's name, yearning for her attention . To put it this way it does seem misandrist, but an X (formerly Twitter) user @KaylynBayron breaks it down flawlessly, “Did you dislike how Ken was portrayed? Did it make you uncomfortable to see his identity tied solely to his perceived romantic interest and that he was only validated when seen through her gaze? You're really close to realising something big, sweetie. Keep going.” The movie isn’t brewing hatred for men, Gerwig was simply subverting the familiar narratives and roles of a gendered society. 'Barbieland' is an inverted macrocosm of the contemporary world, its patriarchy and the manner in which women are situated at the margins. It is unabashedly conscious of its political standpoint, delivering commentative scenes in the 'Real World,' where a man proclaims, "We still do patriarchy, we just hide it better." It’s not about animosity towards men, rather an exaggerated comment at how the world would be the other way round. It’s not uncommon to see movies featuring heroic male leads with shallow relationships, where women are reduced to mere accessories. A one-night stand will pour him a drink, distract him from the deeply unsettling problems that burden him, wake up next to him asking dumb questions while he’s plotting his next big move and then he will disappear to save the world. Also read | Marc Maron calls out 'insecure men' trying to cancel Barbie, lauds it as 'f**king masterpiece' Ken’s role just calls out these stereotypes, prompting us to question societal expectations and the portrayal of gender roles in mainstream cinema. The Kens are supposed to adopt “himbo-ism” In a parody of toxic masculinity, Barbie watchers can’t expect no shots taken at the fragile male ego. If people focused on taking those lightly, they’d notice a movie that “hates men” would stop right at those scenes (to mention my personal favourite, “Tell him you’ve never seen The Godfather”), but it doesn't. Instead, Barbie delves deeper, revealing that the patriarchy harms both men and women alike, portraying a shared struggle for authentic self-expression and personal fulfilment. One compelling scene in the film features Ken engaging in a vulnerable conversation with Barbie, expressing his desire to pursue his passions beyond societal expectations. This moment, and Allan’s misfit character (a short-lived doll once introduced by Barbie maker Mattel as Ken's best friend) showcase the stifling effects of traditional gender roles on men, coming back to how patriarchal frameworks can constrain male emotional expression and personal growth. It, quite literally, offered Ken an apology. If you are offended by the movie, insecure about what gender role you play or feeling reduced to a stereotype, just know that you are ‘Kenough’. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Opinion | Is Barbie really an anti-male movie?

<p>Hollywood heartthrob and <em>Barbie </em>actor Ryan Gosling pulled off the most sensational surprise for director Greta Gerwig's birthday. It was an event that no one saw coming, and it left Gerwig wiping tears of joy from her eyes. The occasion was nothing short of remarkable as a flash mob, organised by Gosling himself, descended upon the scene to commemorate Gerwig's special day. But wait, there's more! The impromptu performance wasn't just any random dance; it was on the "I'm just Ken" song from <em>Barbie</em>. You can watch the hilarious and heart-warming video below. Starring Margot Robbie as the titular character and Gosling as Ken, the movie has shattered records at the box office, nearing the extraordinary $1 billion mark.</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CviiziHMaqQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by BARBIE (@barbiethemovie)</a></p>
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<h2><strong>What is <em>Barbie </em>all about?</strong></h2>

<p><em>Barbie </em>follows the story of the titular doll who goes on a journey of self-discovery into the real world, after she discovers small imperfections in her previously-perfect life. Ken joins her on the journey. In the real world, they encounter issues of beauty standards and societal expectations. Barbie, Ken, and her owner, Sasha, confront their insecurities and societal pressures, leading to a transformation in Barbieland's social structure. Barbie decides to become human and embraces an ever-evolving identity in the real world.</p>

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<h2><strong>Barbie review</strong></h2>

<h2>Also Read: <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-barbie-review-margot-robbie-ryan-goslings-film-smart-funny-and-very-woke-618109"><em>Barbie </em>review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film smart, funny and very woke</a></strong></h2>

<p>WION's Shomini Sen wrote in her review of Barbie, "I would still say that the film very smartly shows how society is and humanises the iconic doll. For decades Barbie has been one of the most popular toys for young girls, setting unrealistic standards of beauty. Sure, Mattel has reinvented the doll and made every girl believe that they can be whatever they want to be - just like their favourite doll, but the narrative of everything being overtly perfect has also done damage to several. Greta, in that sense, spins the narrative and adds a layer of cynicism to Barbieland to show how things are in real. Flawed, depressed, and definitely not perfect- even though the plastic remains constant."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Hollywood heartthrob and Barbie actor Ryan Gosling pulled off the most sensational surprise for director Greta Gerwig's birthday. It was an event that no one saw coming, and it left Gerwig wiping tears of joy from her eyes.

Hollywood heartthrob and Barbie actor Ryan Gosling pulled off the most sensational surprise for director Greta Gerwig's birthday. It was an event that no one saw coming, and it left Gerwig wiping tears of joy from her eyes. The occasion was nothing short of remarkable as a flash mob, organised by Gosling himself, descended upon the scene to commemorate Gerwig's special day. But wait, there's more! The impromptu performance wasn't just any random dance; it was on the "I'm just Ken" song from Barbie. You can watch the hilarious and heart-warming video below. Starring Margot Robbie as the titular character and Gosling as Ken, the movie has shattered records at the box office, nearing the extraordinary $1 billion mark. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BARBIE (@barbiethemovie) What is Barbie all about? Barbie follows the story of the titular doll who goes on a journey of self-discovery into the real world, after she discovers small imperfections in her previously-perfect life. Ken joins her on the journey. In the real world, they encounter issues of beauty standards and societal expectations. Barbie, Ken, and her owner, Sasha, confront their insecurities and societal pressures, leading to a transformation in Barbieland's social structure. Barbie decides to become human and embraces an ever-evolving identity in the real world. Barbie review Also Read: Barbie review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film smart, funny and very woke WION's Shomini Sen wrote in her review of Barbie, "I would still say that the film very smartly shows how society is and humanises the iconic doll. For decades Barbie has been one of the most popular toys for young girls, setting unrealistic standards of beauty. Sure, Mattel has reinvented the doll and made every girl believe that they can be whatever they want to be - just like their favourite doll, but the narrative of everything being overtly perfect has also done damage to several. Greta, in that sense, spins the narrative and adds a layer of cynicism to Barbieland to show how things are in real. Flawed, depressed, and definitely not perfect- even though the plastic remains constant." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WATCH | Ryan Gosling surprises Greta Gerwig with 'I'm just Ken' performance from Barbie

<p>Barbie, an iconic doll that has been enchanting audiences for generations, is synonymous with glamour, fashion, and the perfect life in Barbieland. In the recently released movie <em>Barbie </em>directed by Greta Gerwig based on the doll, Margot Robbie portrays the lead role of Stereotypical Barbie. The film's Barbieland is packed with all kinds of Barbies belonging to different races and come in different shapes and sizes. However, within that diverse world, there's one character who lives apart from others — Weird Barbie. Portrayed brilliantly by Kate McKinnon in the film, Weird Barbie is a unique and unconventional character who has become a fan-favourite.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mattel, the creator&nbsp;of Barbie, is set to launch a doll based on Weird Barbie, along with an exclusive toy line celebrating the fascinating world of the film. This move marks a significant step towards embracing diversity and inclusivity in the realm of Barbie.</p>

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<h2><strong><em>Barbie</em>, a box office phenomenon</strong></h2>

<p>Meanwhile, <em>Barbie</em>, the movie has proven to be an unstoppable force at the box office, exceeding even the most optimistic predictions of analysts. Its box office success is on par with that of a major Marvel blockbuster, showcasing its immense popularity. As of the current writing, the Greta Gerwig-directed movie has amassed a staggering $835.68 million in earnings. It is expected to cross the impressive $1 billion milestone by the upcoming Monday, if not earlier by Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mattel unveils Weird Barbie from the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BarbieMovie?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BarbieMovie</a> as its latest doll.<br />
<br />
🔗: <a href="https://t.co/M27KF3SZSx">https://t.co/M27KF3SZSx</a> <a href="https://t.co/981AIjTZAs">pic.twitter.com/981AIjTZAs</a></p>
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) <a href="https://twitter.com/PopCrave/status/1687557606691454976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is <em>Barbie </em>all about?</strong></h2>

<p><em>Barbie </em>revolves around the titular doll's quest for self-discovery when she stumbles upon minor imperfections in her once seemingly perfect life. Alongside her companion, Ken (Ryan Gosling), she embarks on an adventure into the real world, where they confront challenging issues related to beauty standards and societal norms. Together with Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt), Barbie's owner, they bravely face their insecurities and societal pressures, ultimately sparking a profound transformation in the social fabric of Barbieland. Barbie makes a courageous decision to embrace her humanity, embracing a continuously evolving identity as she navigates the real world's complexities.</p>

<h2><strong><em>Barbie </em>review</strong></h2>

<p>Also Read: <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-barbie-review-margot-robbie-ryan-goslings-film-smart-funny-and-very-woke-618109"><em>Barbie </em>review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film smart, funny and very woke</a></strong></p>

<p>WION's Shomini Sen wrote in her review of <em>Barbie</em>, "I would still say that the film very smartly shows how society is and humanises the iconic doll. For decades Barbie has been one of the most popular toys for young girls, setting unrealistic standards of beauty. Sure, Mattel has reinvented the doll and made every girl believe that they can be whatever they want to be - just like their favourite doll, but the narrative of everything being overtly perfect has also done damage to several. Greta, in that sense, spins the narrative and adds a layer of cynicism to Barbieland to show how things are in real. Flawed, depressed, and definitely not perfect- even though the plastic remains constant."<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Barbie, an iconic doll that has been enchanting audiences for generations, is synonymous with glamour, fashion, and the perfect life in Barbieland. In the recently released movie Barbie directed by Greta Gerwig based on the doll, Margot Robbie portrays the lead role of Stereotypical Barbie.

Barbie, an iconic doll that has been enchanting audiences for generations, is synonymous with glamour, fashion, and the perfect life in Barbieland. In the recently released movie Barbie directed by Greta Gerwig based on the doll, Margot Robbie portrays the lead role of Stereotypical Barbie. The film's Barbieland is packed with all kinds of Barbies belonging to different races and come in different shapes and sizes. However, within that diverse world, there's one character who lives apart from others — Weird Barbie. Portrayed brilliantly by Kate McKinnon in the film, Weird Barbie is a unique and unconventional character who has become a fan-favourite. Mattel, the creator of Barbie, is set to launch a doll based on Weird Barbie, along with an exclusive toy line celebrating the fascinating world of the film. This move marks a significant step towards embracing diversity and inclusivity in the realm of Barbie. Barbie, a box office phenomenon Meanwhile, Barbie, the movie has proven to be an unstoppable force at the box office, exceeding even the most optimistic predictions of analysts. Its box office success is on par with that of a major Marvel blockbuster, showcasing its immense popularity. As of the current writing, the Greta Gerwig-directed movie has amassed a staggering $835.68 million in earnings. It is expected to cross the impressive $1 billion milestone by the upcoming Monday, if not earlier by Sunday. Mattel unveils Weird Barbie from the #BarbieMovie as its latest doll. 🔗: https://t.co/M27KF3SZSx pic.twitter.com/981AIjTZAs — Pop Crave (@PopCrave) August 4, 2023 × What is Barbie all about? Barbie revolves around the titular doll's quest for self-discovery when she stumbles upon minor imperfections in her once seemingly perfect life. Alongside her companion, Ken (Ryan Gosling), she embarks on an adventure into the real world, where they confront challenging issues related to beauty standards and societal norms. Together with Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt), Barbie's owner, they bravely face their insecurities and societal pressures, ultimately sparking a profound transformation in the social fabric of Barbieland. Barbie makes a courageous decision to embrace her humanity, embracing a continuously evolving identity as she navigates the real world's complexities. Barbie review Also Read: Barbie review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film smart, funny and very woke WION's Shomini Sen wrote in her review of Barbie, "I would still say that the film very smartly shows how society is and humanises the iconic doll. For decades Barbie has been one of the most popular toys for young girls, setting unrealistic standards of beauty. Sure, Mattel has reinvented the doll and made every girl believe that they can be whatever they want to be - just like their favourite doll, but the narrative of everything being overtly perfect has also done damage to several. Greta, in that sense, spins the narrative and adds a layer of cynicism to Barbieland to show how things are in real. Flawed, depressed, and definitely not perfect- even though the plastic remains constant." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Mattel launches Weird Barbie doll after box office success of Margot Robbie movie

<p>Fans worldwide are&nbsp;celebrating the 40th birthday of acclaimed filmmaker Greta Gerwig on Friday, August 4. Her latest movie, <em>Barbie</em>, is running in theatres and is already a mega-hit at the end of its second week. Until now, the Margot Robbie-fronted has grossed $824 million globally and is soon expected to cross the $1 billion mark. But before becoming a truly big, commercial filmmaker, Gerwig was an indie filmmaker who broke out with 2017's <em>Lady Bird.</em> While <em>Barbie </em>is great, it is this Saoirse Ronan-starrer that truly exemplifies Gerwig's filmmaking sensibilities. Let us delve into the magic of this film, its significance, and the impact it left on audiences worldwide.</p>

<p>Also Read: <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-barbie-review-margot-robbie-ryan-goslings-film-smart-funny-and-very-woke-618109"><em>Barbie </em>review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film smart, funny and very woke</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Authentic representation</strong></h2>

<p>The film stands out for its authentic and relatable representation of adolescence, particularly through the eyes of a young woman. Greta Gerwig's semi-autobiographical approach brings a genuine and heartfelt perspective to the coming-of-age genre, allowing audiences to connect with the film's characters and themes on a personal level.</p>

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<h2><strong>Female-centric narrative</strong></h2>

<p>In a male-dominated industry, the film serves as a refreshing reminder of the power and importance of female-driven stories. The film places the experiences, struggles, and aspirations of its female characters at the forefront, showcasing the complexities of female relationships and the journey of self-discovery in a way rarely seen in mainstream cinema.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-barbie-director-greta-gerwig-opens-up-about-sequel-chances-at-this-moment-619831"><em>Barbie </em>director Greta Gerwig opens up about sequel chances: 'At this moment...'</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Empowerment and independence</strong></h2>

<p>The film is a celebration of the indomitable spirit of its protagonist, Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson. Through her rebellious nature and desire to forge her own path,<em> Lady Bird </em>embodies the essence of empowerment and independence. Her pursuit of dreams, despite the obstacles and limitations imposed on her, resonates with audiences, inspiring them to embrace their individuality and stand up for their aspirations.</p>

<h2><strong>Exploration of mother-daughter dynamics</strong></h2>

<p>The film delves into the complex and emotionally charged relationship between Lady Bird and her mother, Marion. Gerwig navigates the intricacies of this mother-daughter dynamic with sensitivity and nuance, highlighting the universal struggles of communication and understanding between generations. By depicting the challenges and love present in this relationship, the film encourages empathy and reflection on the complexities of family bonds.</p>

<h2><strong>Nostalgia and universality</strong></h2>

<p>The film transports audiences to a specific time and place — early 2000s Sacramento, California — and yet, its themes and emotions are timeless and universal. The film's nostalgia-laden setting strikes a chord with viewers, reminding them of their own formative years and the profound impact those moments have on shaping one's identity.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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Fans worldwide are celebrating the 40th birthday of acclaimed filmmaker Greta Gerwig on Friday, August 4. Her latest movie, Barbie, is running in theatres and is already a mega-hit at the end of its second week.

Fans worldwide are celebrating the 40th birthday of acclaimed filmmaker Greta Gerwig on Friday, August 4. Her latest movie, Barbie, is running in theatres and is already a mega-hit at the end of its second week. Until now, the Margot Robbie-fronted has grossed $824 million globally and is soon expected to cross the $1 billion mark. But before becoming a truly big, commercial filmmaker, Gerwig was an indie filmmaker who broke out with 2017's Lady Bird. While Barbie is great, it is this Saoirse Ronan-starrer that truly exemplifies Gerwig's filmmaking sensibilities. Let us delve into the magic of this film, its significance, and the impact it left on audiences worldwide. Also Read: Barbie review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film smart, funny and very woke Authentic representation The film stands out for its authentic and relatable representation of adolescence, particularly through the eyes of a young woman. Greta Gerwig's semi-autobiographical approach brings a genuine and heartfelt perspective to the coming-of-age genre, allowing audiences to connect with the film's characters and themes on a personal level. Female-centric narrative In a male-dominated industry, the film serves as a refreshing reminder of the power and importance of female-driven stories. The film places the experiences, struggles, and aspirations of its female characters at the forefront, showcasing the complexities of female relationships and the journey of self-discovery in a way rarely seen in mainstream cinema. Also Read: Barbie director Greta Gerwig opens up about sequel chances: 'At this moment...' Empowerment and independence The film is a celebration of the indomitable spirit of its protagonist, Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson. Through her rebellious nature and desire to forge her own path, Lady Bird embodies the essence of empowerment and independence. Her pursuit of dreams, despite the obstacles and limitations imposed on her, resonates with audiences, inspiring them to embrace their individuality and stand up for their aspirations. Exploration of mother-daughter dynamics The film delves into the complex and emotionally charged relationship between Lady Bird and her mother, Marion. Gerwig navigates the intricacies of this mother-daughter dynamic with sensitivity and nuance, highlighting the universal struggles of communication and understanding between generations. By depicting the challenges and love present in this relationship, the film encourages empathy and reflection on the complexities of family bonds. Nostalgia and universality The film transports audiences to a specific time and place — early 2000s Sacramento, California — and yet, its themes and emotions are timeless and universal. The film's nostalgia-laden setting strikes a chord with viewers, reminding them of their own formative years and the profound impact those moments have on shaping one's identity. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

On Barbie director Greta Gerwig's 40th birthday, celebrating Lady Bird, an understated masterpiece

<p>Marc Maron, comedian, actor, and podcaster, has come forward in strong support of Greta Gerwig's movie <em>Barbie</em>, which stars Margot Robbie in the lead role. In a TikTok video that lasted almost two minutes, Maron passionately praised the film as a "f**king masterpiece," a term he said he rarely uses lightly. He was evidently blown away by the movie's artistic excellence. “I saw <em>Barbie </em>and I thought it was a f**king masterpiece. And like, I don’t throw that word around lightly, but, Jesus Christ," he said. What particularly impressed Maron was the film's ability to cater to a broad audience while integrating progressive politics and fundamental feminist themes in a manner that was both amusing and well-executed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“It’s like it does a fairly amazing thing to create a sort of broad-based entertainment product that applies to the entire spectrum. I think primarily of women. And then just seep it in progressive politics and basic feminism in a way that’s funny, informative and well-executed in a context that is completely engaging is fucking monumental," he said.</p>

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<h2><strong>What is <em>Barbie </em>all about?</strong></h2>

<p>Also Read: <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-barbie-review-margot-robbie-ryan-goslings-film-smart-funny-and-very-woke-618109"><em>Barbie</em> review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film is smart, funny and very woke</a></strong></p>

<p>Barbie follows the journey of Barbie and Ken, who find themselves expelled from the perfect world of Barbie Land due to their imperfections. Co-written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the film explores themes of self-exploration and existential crisis as the characters navigate the realm of reality. Apart from Robbie, the star-studded cast includes Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Emma Mackey, America Ferrera, Alexandra Shipp, Ariana Greenblatt, Emerald Fennell, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Sharon Rooney, Anna Cruz Kanye, Ritu Arya, Conor Swindell, Jamie Demetriou, Marisa Abela, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Ncuti Gatwa.</p>

<h2><strong><em>Barbie</em>, a box office phenomenon</strong></h2>

<p>Barbie has been a box office juggernaut ever since it released. Until now it has grossed $811.02 million worldwide. It is expected to gross $1 billion soon and some analysts predict it might surpass the $1.5 billion mark as well. Warner Bros' quirky marketing and the Barbenheimer phenomenon may have played their part. Barbenheimer, if you do not know already, is a portmanteau of two big studio films (albeit of a very different kind) that clashed at the box office thanks to same-day release (on July 21) — <em>Barbie </em>and Christopher Nolan's <em>Oppenheimer</em>.&nbsp;</p>

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Marc Maron, comedian, actor, and podcaster, has come forward in strong support of Greta Gerwig's movie Barbie, which stars Margot Robbie in the lead role. In a TikTok video that lasted almost two minutes, Maron passionately praised the film as a "f**king masterpiece," a term he said he rarely uses lightly.

Marc Maron, comedian, actor, and podcaster, has come forward in strong support of Greta Gerwig's movie Barbie, which stars Margot Robbie in the lead role. In a TikTok video that lasted almost two minutes, Maron passionately praised the film as a "f**king masterpiece," a term he said he rarely uses lightly. He was evidently blown away by the movie's artistic excellence. “I saw Barbie and I thought it was a f**king masterpiece. And like, I don’t throw that word around lightly, but, Jesus Christ," he said. What particularly impressed Maron was the film's ability to cater to a broad audience while integrating progressive politics and fundamental feminist themes in a manner that was both amusing and well-executed. “It’s like it does a fairly amazing thing to create a sort of broad-based entertainment product that applies to the entire spectrum. I think primarily of women. And then just seep it in progressive politics and basic feminism in a way that’s funny, informative and well-executed in a context that is completely engaging is fucking monumental," he said. What is Barbie all about? Also Read: Barbie review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film is smart, funny and very woke Barbie follows the journey of Barbie and Ken, who find themselves expelled from the perfect world of Barbie Land due to their imperfections. Co-written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the film explores themes of self-exploration and existential crisis as the characters navigate the realm of reality. Apart from Robbie, the star-studded cast includes Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Emma Mackey, America Ferrera, Alexandra Shipp, Ariana Greenblatt, Emerald Fennell, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Sharon Rooney, Anna Cruz Kanye, Ritu Arya, Conor Swindell, Jamie Demetriou, Marisa Abela, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Ncuti Gatwa. Barbie, a box office phenomenon Barbie has been a box office juggernaut ever since it released. Until now it has grossed $811.02 million worldwide. It is expected to gross $1 billion soon and some analysts predict it might surpass the $1.5 billion mark as well. Warner Bros' quirky marketing and the Barbenheimer phenomenon may have played their part. Barbenheimer, if you do not know already, is a portmanteau of two big studio films (albeit of a very different kind) that clashed at the box office thanks to same-day release (on July 21) — Barbie and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Marc Maron calls out 'insecure men' trying to cancel Barbie, lauds it as 'f**king masterpiece'

<p>Within a few days of its release, <em>Barbie </em>has already become the highest-grossing movie of Ryan Gosling's career, taking over <em>La La Land</em>. At the time of writing this, the Greta Gerwig directorial had collected $472.63 million worldwide, surpassing <em>La La Land</em>'s $447. Starring Margot Robbie in the titular role, <em>Barbie </em>also features America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Will Ferrell, among others in the cast. Gerwig has penned the script along with Noah Baumbach. Barbie opened with a whopping $162 million haul in its domestic market and also set a new Warner Bros record for Monday's gross earnings.</p>

<p>The social media buzz surrounding the double feature of <em>Barbie </em>and Christopher Nolan's Cillian Murphy-fronted biopic <em>Oppenheimer</em>, dubbed Barbenheimer, clearly worked in the favour of both movies and brought a record number&nbsp;of moviegoers back to theatres.</p>

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<h2><strong>Will <em>Barbie </em>get a sequel?</strong></h2>

<p>Gerwig recently opened up about whether <em>Barbie </em>will get a sequel. She told the New York Times that she is not currently considering it. She feels she has poured everything into this project and is not thinking about future ideas at this moment.</p>

<p>“At this moment, it’s all I’ve got. I feel like that at the end of every movie, like I’ll never have another idea and everything I’ve ever wanted to do, I did. I wouldn’t want to squash anybody else’s dream but for me, at this moment, I’m at totally zero," she said.</p>

<h2><strong><em>Barbie </em>review</strong></h2>

<p>Also Read: <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-barbie-review-margot-robbie-ryan-goslings-film-smart-funny-and-very-woke-618109"><em>Barbie</em> review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film smart, funny and very woke</a></strong></p>

<p>WION's Shomini Sen wrote in her review of <em>Barbie</em>, "I would still say that the film very smartly shows how society is and humanises the iconic doll. For decades Barbie has been one of the most popular toys for young girls, setting unrealistic standards of beauty. Sure, Mattel has reinvented the doll and made every girl believe that they can be whatever they want to be - just like their favourite doll, but the narrative of everything being overtly perfect has also done damage to several. Greta, in that sense, spins the narrative and adds a layer of cynicism to Barbieland to show how things are in real. Flawed, depressed, and definitely not perfect- even though the plastic remains constant."&nbsp;</p>

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Within a few days of its release, Barbie has already become the highest-grossing movie of Ryan Gosling's career, taking over La La Land. At the time of writing this, the Greta Gerwig directorial had collected $472.

Within a few days of its release, Barbie has already become the highest-grossing movie of Ryan Gosling's career, taking over La La Land. At the time of writing this, the Greta Gerwig directorial had collected $472.63 million worldwide, surpassing La La Land's $447. Starring Margot Robbie in the titular role, Barbie also features America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Will Ferrell, among others in the cast. Gerwig has penned the script along with Noah Baumbach. Barbie opened with a whopping $162 million haul in its domestic market and also set a new Warner Bros record for Monday's gross earnings. The social media buzz surrounding the double feature of Barbie and Christopher Nolan's Cillian Murphy-fronted biopic Oppenheimer, dubbed Barbenheimer, clearly worked in the favour of both movies and brought a record number of moviegoers back to theatres. Will Barbie get a sequel? Gerwig recently opened up about whether Barbie will get a sequel. She told the New York Times that she is not currently considering it. She feels she has poured everything into this project and is not thinking about future ideas at this moment. “At this moment, it’s all I’ve got. I feel like that at the end of every movie, like I’ll never have another idea and everything I’ve ever wanted to do, I did. I wouldn’t want to squash anybody else’s dream but for me, at this moment, I’m at totally zero," she said. Barbie review Also Read: Barbie review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film smart, funny and very woke WION's Shomini Sen wrote in her review of Barbie, "I would still say that the film very smartly shows how society is and humanises the iconic doll. For decades Barbie has been one of the most popular toys for young girls, setting unrealistic standards of beauty. Sure, Mattel has reinvented the doll and made every girl believe that they can be whatever they want to be - just like their favourite doll, but the narrative of everything being overtly perfect has also done damage to several. Greta, in that sense, spins the narrative and adds a layer of cynicism to Barbieland to show how things are in real. Flawed, depressed, and definitely not perfect- even though the plastic remains constant." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Barbie surpasses La La Land as Ryan Gosling's highest-grossing film. Here's how much it's earned

<p><em>Barbie </em>director Greta Gerwig has expressed excitement over her movie becoming a blockbuster. Starring Margot Robbie, the film is based on the iconic children's toy of the same name. It is breaking box office records left and right. It opened with a whopping $162 million haul in its domestic market and also set a new Warner Bros record for Monday's gross earnings. Gerwig told The New York Times that she intended to create an "anarchic and wild and funny and cathartic" film, and she's amazed by the glowing reception. As with every box office success, many are wondering whether the movie will get a sequel. With such numbers, studios usually insist on a sequel.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/critically-speaking-margot-robbies-barbie-is-funny-and-clever-618237/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2><strong>Will <em>Barbie </em>get a sequel?</strong></h2>

<p>Despite discussions about a potential sequel, Gerwig is not currently considering it. She feels she has poured everything into this project and is not thinking about future ideas at this moment.</p>

<p>“At this moment, it’s all I’ve got. I feel like that at the end of every movie, like I’ll never have another idea and everything I’ve ever wanted to do, I did. I wouldn’t want to squash anybody else’s dream but for me, at this moment, I’m at totally zero.”</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-revealed-the-identity-of-the-old-woman-on-the-bench-in-the-barbie-movie-618995">Revealed: The identity of the old woman on the bench in the <em>Barbie </em>movie</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>On conservative backlash to <em>Barbie</em></strong></h2>

<p>Gerwig also addressed the conservative backlash against the movie, acknowledging that she didn't anticipate the degree of anger from right-wingers. She hopes the film serves as an invitation for everyone to let go of limiting gender stereotypes and find relief in engaging with the movie.</p>

<h2><strong><em>Barbie </em>review</strong></h2>

<p>Also Read: <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-barbie-review-margot-robbie-ryan-goslings-film-smart-funny-and-very-woke-618109"><em>Barbie</em> review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film smart, funny and very woke</a></strong></p>

<p>WION's Shomini Sen wrote in her review of <em>Barbie</em>, "I would still say that the film very smartly shows how society is and humanises the iconic doll. For decades Barbie has been one of the most popular toys for young girls, setting unrealistic standards of beauty. Sure, Mattel has reinvented the doll and made every girl believe that they can be whatever they want to be - just like their favourite doll, but the narrative of everything being overtly perfect has also done damage to several. Greta, in that sense, spins the narrative and adds a layer of cynicism to Barbieland to show how things are in real. Flawed, depressed, and definitely not perfect- even though the plastic remains constant."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Barbie director Greta Gerwig has expressed excitement over her movie becoming a blockbuster. Starring Margot Robbie, the film is based on the iconic children's toy of the same name.

Barbie director Greta Gerwig has expressed excitement over her movie becoming a blockbuster. Starring Margot Robbie, the film is based on the iconic children's toy of the same name. It is breaking box office records left and right. It opened with a whopping $162 million haul in its domestic market and also set a new Warner Bros record for Monday's gross earnings. Gerwig told The New York Times that she intended to create an "anarchic and wild and funny and cathartic" film, and she's amazed by the glowing reception. As with every box office success, many are wondering whether the movie will get a sequel. With such numbers, studios usually insist on a sequel. Will Barbie get a sequel? Despite discussions about a potential sequel, Gerwig is not currently considering it. She feels she has poured everything into this project and is not thinking about future ideas at this moment. “At this moment, it’s all I’ve got. I feel like that at the end of every movie, like I’ll never have another idea and everything I’ve ever wanted to do, I did. I wouldn’t want to squash anybody else’s dream but for me, at this moment, I’m at totally zero.” Also Read: Revealed: The identity of the old woman on the bench in the Barbie movie On conservative backlash to Barbie Gerwig also addressed the conservative backlash against the movie, acknowledging that she didn't anticipate the degree of anger from right-wingers. She hopes the film serves as an invitation for everyone to let go of limiting gender stereotypes and find relief in engaging with the movie. Barbie review Also Read: Barbie review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film smart, funny and very woke WION's Shomini Sen wrote in her review of Barbie, "I would still say that the film very smartly shows how society is and humanises the iconic doll. For decades Barbie has been one of the most popular toys for young girls, setting unrealistic standards of beauty. Sure, Mattel has reinvented the doll and made every girl believe that they can be whatever they want to be - just like their favourite doll, but the narrative of everything being overtly perfect has also done damage to several. Greta, in that sense, spins the narrative and adds a layer of cynicism to Barbieland to show how things are in real. Flawed, depressed, and definitely not perfect- even though the plastic remains constant." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Barbie director Greta Gerwig opens up about sequel chances: 'At this moment...'

<p>While Barbenheimer was meant to be the box office clash of two big but very different films that the internet found amusing, can it turn out to be a crossover? Cillian Murphy, who in Christopher Nolan's <em>Oppenheimer </em>played the titular role of theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer, was recently asked whether he will be down to play the role of Ken if there is a sequel to <em>Barbie</em>.</p>

<p>He said, “Sure! Let’s read a script. Let's have a conversation." He then went on to describe how excited he is to see Greta Gerwig-directed film (which has Margot Robbie in the lead role), saying: "I can't wait to see the movie, I think it's great for cinema, you know, you've got all these great movies happening this summer."</p>

<h2><strong>What is <em>Oppenheimer </em>all about?</strong></h2>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-oppenheimer-review-nolans-visually-stunning-epic-fuses-genius-and-guilt-618110"><em>Oppenheimer </em>review: Nolan's visually stunning epic fuses genius and guilt</a></strong></p>

<p><em>Oppenheimer</em>, both written and directed by Nolan, is a sweeping opus of historical significance that draws inspiration from Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin's seminal biography, American Prometheus (which everyone should definitely read).</p>

<p>Oppenheimer has a complicated legacy and is remembered as the father of the atomic bomb for his contribution to the Manhattan Project. Adding to the film's appeal is an impressive ensemble cast, featuring Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr, Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, and Kenneth Branagh.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/critically-speaking-margot-robbies-barbie-is-funny-and-clever-618237/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>WION's Kshitij Rawat wrote in his review of <em>Oppenheimer</em>, "As <em>Oppenheimer </em>unfolds, Nolan presents us with a kaleidoscope of ethical dilemmas that transcend time. The film's resonance lies not only in its historical accuracy but also in its exploration of the human condition, the pursuit of knowledge, and the choices that shape our destinies. Oppenheimer is an unmissable cinematic event. I am not quite sure if it is indeed Nolan's best work as many have said, but it definitely comes close."</p>

<h2><strong>What is <em>Barbie </em>all about?</strong></h2>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-barbie-review-margot-robbie-ryan-goslings-film-smart-funny-and-very-woke-618109"><em>Barbie</em> review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film smart, funny and very woke</a></strong></p>

<p>Directed by Gerwig and written by Gerwig and her partner Noah Baumbach, <em>Barbie </em>is a live-action fantasy comedy. The film features a huge starry ensemble cast with names like America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Helen Mirren, and Will Ferrell.&nbsp;</p>

<p>WION's Shomini Sen wrote in her review of <em>Barbie</em>, "I would still say that the film very smartly shows how society is and humanises the iconic doll. For decades Barbie has been one of the most popular toys for young girls, setting unrealistic standards of beauty. Sure, Mattel has reinvented the doll and made every girl believe that they can be whatever they want to be - just like their favourite doll, but the narrative of everything being overtly perfect has also done damage to several. Greta, in that sense, spins the narrative and adds a layer of cynicism to Barbieland to show how things are in real. Flawed, depressed, and definitely not perfect- even though the plastic remains constant."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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While Barbenheimer was meant to be the box office clash of two big but very different films that the internet found amusing, can it turn out to be a crossover? Cillian Murphy, who in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer played the titular role of theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer, was recently asked whether he will be down to play the role of Ken if there is a sequel to Barbie.

While Barbenheimer was meant to be the box office clash of two big but very different films that the internet found amusing, can it turn out to be a crossover? Cillian Murphy, who in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer played the titular role of theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer, was recently asked whether he will be down to play the role of Ken if there is a sequel to Barbie. He said, “Sure! Let’s read a script. Let's have a conversation." He then went on to describe how excited he is to see Greta Gerwig-directed film (which has Margot Robbie in the lead role), saying: "I can't wait to see the movie, I think it's great for cinema, you know, you've got all these great movies happening this summer." What is Oppenheimer all about? Also Read: Oppenheimer review: Nolan's visually stunning epic fuses genius and guilt Oppenheimer, both written and directed by Nolan, is a sweeping opus of historical significance that draws inspiration from Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin's seminal biography, American Prometheus (which everyone should definitely read). Oppenheimer has a complicated legacy and is remembered as the father of the atomic bomb for his contribution to the Manhattan Project. Adding to the film's appeal is an impressive ensemble cast, featuring Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr, Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, and Kenneth Branagh. WION's Kshitij Rawat wrote in his review of Oppenheimer, "As Oppenheimer unfolds, Nolan presents us with a kaleidoscope of ethical dilemmas that transcend time. The film's resonance lies not only in its historical accuracy but also in its exploration of the human condition, the pursuit of knowledge, and the choices that shape our destinies. Oppenheimer is an unmissable cinematic event. I am not quite sure if it is indeed Nolan's best work as many have said, but it definitely comes close." What is Barbie all about? Also Read: Barbie review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film smart, funny and very woke Directed by Gerwig and written by Gerwig and her partner Noah Baumbach, Barbie is a live-action fantasy comedy. The film features a huge starry ensemble cast with names like America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Helen Mirren, and Will Ferrell. WION's Shomini Sen wrote in her review of Barbie, "I would still say that the film very smartly shows how society is and humanises the iconic doll. For decades Barbie has been one of the most popular toys for young girls, setting unrealistic standards of beauty. Sure, Mattel has reinvented the doll and made every girl believe that they can be whatever they want to be - just like their favourite doll, but the narrative of everything being overtly perfect has also done damage to several. Greta, in that sense, spins the narrative and adds a layer of cynicism to Barbieland to show how things are in real. Flawed, depressed, and definitely not perfect- even though the plastic remains constant." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Oppenheimer's Cillian Murphy wants to play Ken in Barbie 2: Sure! Let’s read a script

<p>Greta Gerwig's <em>Barbie </em>has made history with a historic opening weekend, earning $377 million worldwide, making it the biggest debut ever for a film directed by a woman. At the North American box office, the Margot Robbie starrer claimed the top spot with $162 million in ticket sales, surpassing not only other major releases of the year but the studio's expectations of $155 million. The social media buzz surrounding the double feature of <em>Barbie </em>and Christopher Nolan's Cillian Murphy-fronted biopic <em>Oppenheimer</em>, dubbed Barbenheimer, clearly worked in the favour of both movies and brought record numbers of moviegoers back to theaters.</p>

<h2><strong><em>Oppenheimer </em>is no slouch either</strong></h2>

<p><em>Oppenheimer</em>, an R-Rated 3-hour biopic, also exceeded expectations, garnering $80.5 million in the US and Canada, becoming Nolan's biggest non-Batman debut and an impressive start for a movie like his. This weekend marked the first time that two movies opened with over $100 million and $80 million respectively, making it one of the industry's biggest box office weekends, fourth biggest to be precise.</p>

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<h2><strong>International hauls of <em>Barbie </em>and <em>Oppenheimer</em></strong></h2>

<p>Internationally, <em>Barbie </em>earned $182 million, contributing to its $337 million global weekend total, while <em>Oppenheimer </em>achieved $93.7 million, with a global total of $174.2 million. Both films had a significant impact on ticket sales, affecting other releases like<em> Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part I.</em></p>

<h2><strong><em>Barbie </em>review</strong></h2>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-barbie-review-margot-robbie-ryan-goslings-film-smart-funny-and-very-woke-618109"><em>Barbie</em> review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film smart, funny and very woke</a></strong></p>

<p>WION's Shomini Sen wrote in her review of <em>Barbie</em>, "I would still say that the film very smartly shows how society is and humanises the iconic doll. For decades Barbie has been one of the most popular toys for young girls, setting unrealistic standards of beauty. Sure, Mattel has reinvented the doll and made every girl believe that they can be whatever they want to be - just like their favourite doll, but the narrative of everything being overtly perfect has also done damage to several. Greta, in that sense, spins the narrative and adds a layer of cynicism to Barbieland to show how things are in real. Flawed, depressed, and definitely not perfect- even though the plastic remains constant."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong><em>Oppenheimer </em>review</strong></h2>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-oppenheimer-review-nolans-visually-stunning-epic-fuses-genius-and-guilt-618110"><em>Oppenheimer </em>review: Nolan's visually stunning epic fuses genius and guilt</a></strong></p>

<p>WION's Kshitij Rawat wrote in his review of <em>Oppenheimer</em>, "As <em>Oppenheimer </em>unfolds, Nolan presents us with a kaleidoscope of ethical dilemmas that transcend time. The film's resonance lies not only in its historical accuracy but also in its exploration of the human condition, the pursuit of knowledge, and the choices that shape our destinies. <em>Oppenheimer </em>is an unmissable cinematic event. I am not quite sure if it is indeed Nolan's best work as many have said, but it definitely comes close."</p>

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Greta Gerwig's Barbie has made history with a historic opening weekend, earning $377 million worldwide, making it the biggest debut ever for a film directed by a woman.

Greta Gerwig's Barbie has made history with a historic opening weekend, earning $377 million worldwide, making it the biggest debut ever for a film directed by a woman. At the North American box office, the Margot Robbie starrer claimed the top spot with $162 million in ticket sales, surpassing not only other major releases of the year but the studio's expectations of $155 million. The social media buzz surrounding the double feature of Barbie and Christopher Nolan's Cillian Murphy-fronted biopic Oppenheimer, dubbed Barbenheimer, clearly worked in the favour of both movies and brought record numbers of moviegoers back to theaters. Oppenheimer is no slouch either Oppenheimer, an R-Rated 3-hour biopic, also exceeded expectations, garnering $80.5 million in the US and Canada, becoming Nolan's biggest non-Batman debut and an impressive start for a movie like his. This weekend marked the first time that two movies opened with over $100 million and $80 million respectively, making it one of the industry's biggest box office weekends, fourth biggest to be precise. International hauls of Barbie and Oppenheimer Internationally, Barbie earned $182 million, contributing to its $337 million global weekend total, while Oppenheimer achieved $93.7 million, with a global total of $174.2 million. Both films had a significant impact on ticket sales, affecting other releases like Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part I. Barbie review Also Read: Barbie review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film smart, funny and very woke WION's Shomini Sen wrote in her review of Barbie, "I would still say that the film very smartly shows how society is and humanises the iconic doll. For decades Barbie has been one of the most popular toys for young girls, setting unrealistic standards of beauty. Sure, Mattel has reinvented the doll and made every girl believe that they can be whatever they want to be - just like their favourite doll, but the narrative of everything being overtly perfect has also done damage to several. Greta, in that sense, spins the narrative and adds a layer of cynicism to Barbieland to show how things are in real. Flawed, depressed, and definitely not perfect- even though the plastic remains constant." Oppenheimer review Also Read: Oppenheimer review: Nolan's visually stunning epic fuses genius and guilt WION's Kshitij Rawat wrote in his review of Oppenheimer, "As Oppenheimer unfolds, Nolan presents us with a kaleidoscope of ethical dilemmas that transcend time. The film's resonance lies not only in its historical accuracy but also in its exploration of the human condition, the pursuit of knowledge, and the choices that shape our destinies. Oppenheimer is an unmissable cinematic event. I am not quite sure if it is indeed Nolan's best work as many have said, but it definitely comes close." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Barbie makes history with $377mn worldwide debut, Oppenheimer also impresses

<p>If you have watched <em>Barbie</em> over the weekend, you may have noticed a scene where Margot Robbie as Barbie shares a moment with an older woman on the bench as she arrives in the real world. There have been speculations about the actress who has played the older woman in the film and many have claimed that it is actually Barbara Handler who made a cameo. Barbara inspired the Barbie doll when it came out in 1959. But turns out the news was false. The stereotypical Barbie actually meets Ann Roth on the bench.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Ann Roth is an Oscar-winning costume designer and plays the older woman on the bench in the movie. Greta Gerwig is known to be friends with Roth and hence had approached her for the cameo.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-whos-winning-at-box-office-barbie-makes-record-with-155-million-oppenheimer-collects-80-million-618747">Who's winning at box office? Barbie makes record with $155 million, Oppenheimer collects $80 million</a></p>

<p><strong>Who is Barbara Handler?</strong><br />
<br />
Barbara Handler's parents - Elliot and Ruth Handler - co-founded Mattel with Harold Matson in 1945. In 1959, Ruth created&nbsp;the Barbie doll named after her daughter Barbara. Barbie went on to become one of the highest-selling toys of all time.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Ruth died in 2002 when she was 85 and actress Rhea Perlman plays her in the 2023 movie. Barbara is currently 82 years old and believably could have appeared as the older woman on the bench in Barbie, but instead, that role went to someone else.</p>

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<p><strong>Why was Ann Roth cast in <em>Barbie</em>?</strong><br />
<br />
Filmmaker Greta Gerwig explained to The New York Times that she cast Roth for her movie because the two were friends. Gerwig revealed she was looking for someone older to play the woman on the bench. The scene is a poignant one in the film where Robbie's Barbie remarks that Roth's character is beautiful, which she agrees to, and they share a laugh. It is a simple scene, but it embodies the heart of Barbie and how she wants to live a life like a human being.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Roth is an Oscar-winning costume designer who has worked on films such as <em>Midnight Cowboy</em>, <em>9 to 5,</em> <em>The World According to Garp</em>, <em>Working Girl</em>, <em>The Talented Mr. Ripley</em>, <em>The Hours, The Village, Mamma Mia</em> and many others. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design five times and won it twice- for <em>The English Patient </em>in 1996 and <em>Ma Rainey's Black Bottom</em> in 2020.</p>

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If you have watched Barbie over the weekend, you may have noticed a scene where Margot Robbie as Barbie shares a moment with an older woman on the bench as she arrives in the real world.

If you have watched Barbie over the weekend, you may have noticed a scene where Margot Robbie as Barbie shares a moment with an older woman on the bench as she arrives in the real world. There have been speculations about the actress who has played the older woman in the film and many have claimed that it is actually Barbara Handler who made a cameo. Barbara inspired the Barbie doll when it came out in 1959. But turns out the news was false. The stereotypical Barbie actually meets Ann Roth on the bench. Ann Roth is an Oscar-winning costume designer and plays the older woman on the bench in the movie. Greta Gerwig is known to be friends with Roth and hence had approached her for the cameo. Also read: Who's winning at box office? Barbie makes record with $155 million, Oppenheimer collects $80 million Who is Barbara Handler? Barbara Handler's parents - Elliot and Ruth Handler - co-founded Mattel with Harold Matson in 1945. In 1959, Ruth created the Barbie doll named after her daughter Barbara. Barbie went on to become one of the highest-selling toys of all time. Ruth died in 2002 when she was 85 and actress Rhea Perlman plays her in the 2023 movie. Barbara is currently 82 years old and believably could have appeared as the older woman on the bench in Barbie, but instead, that role went to someone else. Why was Ann Roth cast in Barbie? Filmmaker Greta Gerwig explained to The New York Times that she cast Roth for her movie because the two were friends. Gerwig revealed she was looking for someone older to play the woman on the bench. The scene is a poignant one in the film where Robbie's Barbie remarks that Roth's character is beautiful, which she agrees to, and they share a laugh. It is a simple scene, but it embodies the heart of Barbie and how she wants to live a life like a human being. Roth is an Oscar-winning costume designer who has worked on films such as Midnight Cowboy, 9 to 5, The World According to Garp, Working Girl, The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Hours, The Village, Mamma Mia and many others. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design five times and won it twice- for The English Patient in 1996 and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom in 2020.

Revealed: The identity of the old woman on the bench in the Barbie movie

Greta Gerwig's Barbie is finally out and it lives up to the hype. Watch Shomini Sen's review on Critically Speaking to know more.

Critically Speaking: Margot Robbie's Barbie is funny and clever

<p>Trust Greta Gerwig reverses an age-old narrative over its head and makes a clever commentary on it. In <em>Barbie, </em>Greta and her husband Noah Baumbach, who serves as the co-writer of the film, take the iconic doll and its manufacturer Mattel in a satire that not&nbsp;just questions patriarchy but misogyny, societal stereotypes, and more. The end result is woke - sometimes too woke for good - a story that packs in humour, and fun in a Barbie world.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Margot Robbie plays the stereotypical Barbie living the perfect life in Barbie land. Life in this land is pink, perfect and very plastic. The land has Barbie as president (Issa Rae), all the 12 seats in Supreme Court are taken up by Barbie, Barbies win Nobel Prize and basically run the show. The Kens on the other hand just exist.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Trouble starts when Barbie (Robbie) has an existential crisis one night and the next morning things begin to malfunction. Her feet are no longer arched, she has a patch of cellulite visible and she is thinking of death. On the behest of other Barbies, she visits the Weird Barbie (Kate McKninon) who tells her that she needs to visit the real world and meet the person who is playing with her in order to get things back to how they were.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Barbie embarks on a journey to the real world and Ken (Ryan Gosling) comes along. When the two reach the real world, they are of course in for a shock. While Barbie finally understands the term male gaze and is uncomfortable at being constantly gazed at, Ken discovers patriarchy and horses. He also realises that his abs grab eyeballs more in the real world than it ever got in Barbie land.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Ken heads back almost immediately to Barbie land to mirror it in accordance with the real world. Barbie on the other hand meets Gloria (America Ferrera) in the real world and discovers that it is because of her that she has been experiencing all the doubts in her head.<br />
<br />
Gloria is a working mother who works with Mattel, as a clerk. Mattel, the original manufacturer of the iconic doll has all men heading the place with Will Ferrel leading the organisation. Trouble&nbsp;ensues when Will and his men chase Barbie in order to put her back in a box and fix things like they were. Meanwhile, Barbie takes Gloria and her teenage daughter to Barbie land to show how perfect the land is but is for a shock to discover that Ken has replicated the real world there with Barbies playing domesticated side aids to Kens.</p>

<p><img alt="g" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6aced591-bb36-49e1-b5e6-8da03cc99739" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Your%20paragraph%20text%20-%202023-07-21T143751.413.jpg" /><br />
&nbsp;<br />
Entirely satirical, the film then becomes a battle of sexes where first Barbie has the upper hand and Ken suffers from an identity crisis and then the tables turn until a&nbsp;human (in this case Gloria) jolts Barbie out of her doom and urges her to take control of the Barbie land.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
With several references to pop culture, Barbie is truly Meta. Here the head of Mattel&nbsp;talks of dolls and business and little girls in between getting tickles from his colleagues - all dressed in corporate suits. The story has dolls being perceived as humans on several occasions and humans themselves transporting to doll land in order to fix things or maybe delve deeper into inner conflicts. It's the thin line that Greta very skillfully treads on with the film's narrative. Where everything is plastic and fake and yet very real.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The jokes land more in the first half of the film and Gosling and Simu Liu (also just a Ken) share a crackling chemistry as competitors of Barbie's attention. In fact, Gosling gets a meaty role to play. Not just beefed up, but Gosling is so self-assured in his version of the self-obsessed, brawny Ken that it's a delight to watch him on screen. His is a tougher role than Robbie's and it could have been totally over the top but Gosling plays it with absolute ease- making Ken tragic and comical. Robbie as stereotypical Barbie is just as good but her character arc is far less than Gosling's and hence the scope to show her talent is also limited.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="b" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eecf39e4-c8b4-4b3d-b591-d6906a40b502" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Your%20paragraph%20text%20-%202023-07-21T143815.054.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Greta and Baumbach though constantly remind the viewer that it's a satire and by the second half, some of the jokes don't quite land the way they should. It becomes too woke by the end of it and pink and the plastic then gets on to you.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The sets are praiseworthy and the makers also bring in nostalgia by showing some of the discontinued dolls in the Barbie land. There is Midge, a pregnant Barbie, there is growing up Skipper, whose bosom&nbsp;increased every time someone lifted her arms and Sugardaddy Ken. Some of the Barbie sets and dreamhouses also are incorporated in the film - giving it the authentic Barbie look.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
I would still say that the film very smartly shows how society is and humanises the iconic doll. For decades Barbie has been one of the most popular toys for young girls, setting unrealistic standards of beauty. Sure, Mattel has reinvented the doll and made every girl believe that they can be whatever they want to be - just like their favourite doll, but the narrative of everything being overtly perfect has also done damage to several. Greta, in that sense, spins the narrative and adds a layer of cynicism to Barbie land to show how things are in real. Flawed, depressed, and definitely not perfect- even though the plastic remains constant.&nbsp;</p>

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Trust Greta Gerwig reverses an age-old narrative over its head and makes a clever commentary on it. In Barbie, Greta and her husband Noah Baumbach, who serves as the co-writer of the film, take the iconic doll and its manufacturer Mattel in a satire that not just questions patriarchy but misogyny, societal stereotypes, and more.

Trust Greta Gerwig reverses an age-old narrative over its head and makes a clever commentary on it. In Barbie, Greta and her husband Noah Baumbach, who serves as the co-writer of the film, take the iconic doll and its manufacturer Mattel in a satire that not just questions patriarchy but misogyny, societal stereotypes, and more. The end result is woke - sometimes too woke for good - a story that packs in humour, and fun in a Barbie world. Margot Robbie plays the stereotypical Barbie living the perfect life in Barbie land. Life in this land is pink, perfect and very plastic. The land has Barbie as president (Issa Rae), all the 12 seats in Supreme Court are taken up by Barbie, Barbies win Nobel Prize and basically run the show. The Kens on the other hand just exist. Trouble starts when Barbie (Robbie) has an existential crisis one night and the next morning things begin to malfunction. Her feet are no longer arched, she has a patch of cellulite visible and she is thinking of death. On the behest of other Barbies, she visits the Weird Barbie (Kate McKninon) who tells her that she needs to visit the real world and meet the person who is playing with her in order to get things back to how they were. Barbie embarks on a journey to the real world and Ken (Ryan Gosling) comes along. When the two reach the real world, they are of course in for a shock. While Barbie finally understands the term male gaze and is uncomfortable at being constantly gazed at, Ken discovers patriarchy and horses. He also realises that his abs grab eyeballs more in the real world than it ever got in Barbie land. Ken heads back almost immediately to Barbie land to mirror it in accordance with the real world. Barbie on the other hand meets Gloria (America Ferrera) in the real world and discovers that it is because of her that she has been experiencing all the doubts in her head. Gloria is a working mother who works with Mattel, as a clerk. Mattel, the original manufacturer of the iconic doll has all men heading the place with Will Ferrel leading the organisation. Trouble ensues when Will and his men chase Barbie in order to put her back in a box and fix things like they were. Meanwhile, Barbie takes Gloria and her teenage daughter to Barbie land to show how perfect the land is but is for a shock to discover that Ken has replicated the real world there with Barbies playing domesticated side aids to Kens. Entirely satirical, the film then becomes a battle of sexes where first Barbie has the upper hand and Ken suffers from an identity crisis and then the tables turn until a human (in this case Gloria) jolts Barbie out of her doom and urges her to take control of the Barbie land. With several references to pop culture, Barbie is truly Meta. Here the head of Mattel talks of dolls and business and little girls in between getting tickles from his colleagues - all dressed in corporate suits. The story has dolls being perceived as humans on several occasions and humans themselves transporting to doll land in order to fix things or maybe delve deeper into inner conflicts. It's the thin line that Greta very skillfully treads on with the film's narrative. Where everything is plastic and fake and yet very real. The jokes land more in the first half of the film and Gosling and Simu Liu (also just a Ken) share a crackling chemistry as competitors of Barbie's attention. In fact, Gosling gets a meaty role to play. Not just beefed up, but Gosling is so self-assured in his version of the self-obsessed, brawny Ken that it's a delight to watch him on screen. His is a tougher role than Robbie's and it could have been totally over the top but Gosling plays it with absolute ease- making Ken tragic and comical. Robbie as stereotypical Barbie is just as good but her character arc is far less than Gosling's and hence the scope to show her talent is also limited. Greta and Baumbach though constantly remind the viewer that it's a satire and by the second half, some of the jokes don't quite land the way they should. It becomes too woke by the end of it and pink and the plastic then gets on to you. The sets are praiseworthy and the makers also bring in nostalgia by showing some of the discontinued dolls in the Barbie land. There is Midge, a pregnant Barbie, there is growing up Skipper, whose bosom increased every time someone lifted her arms and Sugardaddy Ken. Some of the Barbie sets and dreamhouses also are incorporated in the film - giving it the authentic Barbie look. I would still say that the film very smartly shows how society is and humanises the iconic doll. For decades Barbie has been one of the most popular toys for young girls, setting unrealistic standards of beauty. Sure, Mattel has reinvented the doll and made every girl believe that they can be whatever they want to be - just like their favourite doll, but the narrative of everything being overtly perfect has also done damage to several. Greta, in that sense, spins the narrative and adds a layer of cynicism to Barbie land to show how things are in real. Flawed, depressed, and definitely not perfect- even though the plastic remains constant. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Barbie review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's film is smart, funny and very woke

<p>Margot Robbie, who is not just the main star but also the producer of the <em>Barbie</em> movie, took on the task of convincing Warner Bros that her vision for the film would lead to financial success. She confidently expressed during pitch meetings that she believed the movie had the potential to generate $1 billion at the worldwide box office. To achieve this success, she emphasised the importance of having writer-director Greta Gerwig on board, making a strong case that pairing a big idea with a visionary director had proven lucrative for studios in the past. In her green-light meeting, Robbie drew parallels to successful projects like "dinosaurs and [Steven] Spielberg," using examples that had been both extraordinary and financially rewarding for the studios over the years. With Gerwig at the helm, she believed <em>Barbie</em> could achieve similar heights.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-barbenheimer-from-blockbuster-showdown-to-summers-hottest-dating-trend-615970">Barbenheimer: From blockbuster showdown to summer's hottest dating trend?</a></strong></p>

<p>"And then I gave a series of examples like, ‘dinosaurs and [Steven] Spielberg’ – pretty much naming anything that’s been incredible and made a ton of money for the studios over the years. And I was like, ‘And now you’ve got Barbie and Greta Gerwig.’ And I think I told them that it’d make a billion dollars, which maybe I was overselling, but we had a movie to make, okay?” she told Collider.</p>

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<h2><strong>Will <em>Barbie</em> be a billion-dollar project?</strong></h2>

<p>While whether the film will indeed make $1 billion remains to be seen, it's already showing promise as a blockbuster for Warner Bros. The movie is projected to have an opening weekend in the range of $95 million to $110 million, with some exhibitors even speculating that it could potentially reach $140 million in its debut. Warner Bros plans to release <em>Barbie</em> in a substantial number of theatres across North America, with a total of 4,200 locations set for the opening weekend, reported Variety.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-barbies-long-long-journey-to-the-big-screen-why-did-it-take-so-long-617853"><em>Barbie'</em>s long, long journey to the big screen: Why did it take so long?</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>What is <em>Barbie</em> all about?</strong></h2>

<p><em>Barbie</em> follows the journey of Barbie and Ken, who find themselves expelled from the perfect world of Barbie Land due to their imperfections. Directed by Gerwig and co-written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the film explores themes of self-exploration and existential crisis as the characters navigate the realm of reality. The star-studded cast also includes Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Emma Mackey, America Ferrera, Alexandra Shipp, Ariana Greenblatt, Emerald Fennell, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Sharon Rooney, Anna Cruz Kanye, Ritu Arya, Conor Swindell, Jamie Demetriou, Marisa Abela, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Ncuti Gatwa.</p>

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Margot Robbie, who is not just the main star but also the producer of the Barbie movie, took on the task of convincing Warner Bros that her vision for the film would lead to financial success.

Margot Robbie, who is not just the main star but also the producer of the Barbie movie, took on the task of convincing Warner Bros that her vision for the film would lead to financial success. She confidently expressed during pitch meetings that she believed the movie had the potential to generate $1 billion at the worldwide box office. To achieve this success, she emphasised the importance of having writer-director Greta Gerwig on board, making a strong case that pairing a big idea with a visionary director had proven lucrative for studios in the past. In her green-light meeting, Robbie drew parallels to successful projects like "dinosaurs and [Steven] Spielberg," using examples that had been both extraordinary and financially rewarding for the studios over the years. With Gerwig at the helm, she believed Barbie could achieve similar heights. Also Read: Barbenheimer: From blockbuster showdown to summer's hottest dating trend? "And then I gave a series of examples like, ‘dinosaurs and [Steven] Spielberg’ – pretty much naming anything that’s been incredible and made a ton of money for the studios over the years. And I was like, ‘And now you’ve got Barbie and Greta Gerwig.’ And I think I told them that it’d make a billion dollars, which maybe I was overselling, but we had a movie to make, okay?” she told Collider. Will Barbie be a billion-dollar project? While whether the film will indeed make $1 billion remains to be seen, it's already showing promise as a blockbuster for Warner Bros. The movie is projected to have an opening weekend in the range of $95 million to $110 million, with some exhibitors even speculating that it could potentially reach $140 million in its debut. Warner Bros plans to release Barbie in a substantial number of theatres across North America, with a total of 4,200 locations set for the opening weekend, reported Variety. Also Read: Barbie's long, long journey to the big screen: Why did it take so long? What is Barbie all about? Barbie follows the journey of Barbie and Ken, who find themselves expelled from the perfect world of Barbie Land due to their imperfections. Directed by Gerwig and co-written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the film explores themes of self-exploration and existential crisis as the characters navigate the realm of reality. The star-studded cast also includes Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Emma Mackey, America Ferrera, Alexandra Shipp, Ariana Greenblatt, Emerald Fennell, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Sharon Rooney, Anna Cruz Kanye, Ritu Arya, Conor Swindell, Jamie Demetriou, Marisa Abela, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Ncuti Gatwa. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Margot Robbie promised Warner Bros Barbie will earn $1bn: Maybe I was overselling

<p>Lights, camera, Barbie! After an incredible 64-year journey as Mattel's beloved fashion doll, <em>Barbie</em> is finally making her highly anticipated live-action debut on the big screen this Friday. Directed by Greta Gerwig and written by Gerwig and her partner Noah Baumbach, <em>Barbie</em> is a live-action fantasy comedy starring Margot Robbie in the lead role. The film features a huge starry ensemble cast with names like America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Helen Mirren, and Will Ferrell. <em>Barbie</em>&nbsp;has already received highly positive reviews with a score of 89 per cent on review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes. The critical consensus reads, "<em>Barbie</em>&nbsp;is a visually dazzling comedy whose meta humor is smartly complemented by subversive storytelling."</p>

<p>The excitement is palpable, and fans worldwide have been eagerly counting down the days. But this isn't just any ordinary debut; it's a milestone for a brand that has become an integral part of popular culture and has left an indelible mark on generations of children. Barbie's road to the movies has been a rollercoaster ride, filled with more twists and turns than a soap opera plot.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pBk4NYhWNMM" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2><strong><em>Barbie</em> movie's long road to fruition</strong></h2>

<p>Let's go back to 2009 when whispers of a live-action <em>Barbie</em> film first emerged. Universal Pictures showed interest in bringing the iconic doll to life, but the project never progressed beyond the initial discussions. Next up was Sony, which eagerly grabbed the opportunity to bring Barbie to the silver screen. The excitement was soaring when they announced a release date for 2017, with Academy Award winner Diablo Cody penning the script. However, despite Cody confessed that cracking the perfect storyline for Barbie proved to be as elusive as finding Barbie's elusive Ken. "I failed so hard at that project. I was literally incapable of writing a Barbie script. God knows I tried," she said. Well, Cody, we are no strangers to writer's block, either.</p>

<p>Enter comedienne Amy Schumer. Schumer and her sister Kim Caramele came up with a fresh and humorous storyline. In their version, Barbie, the ambitious inventor, finds herself expelled from Barbieland for not fitting the mould of "perfection." However, even with Schumer's brilliance, creative disagreements struck again, and the project got shelved faster than one could say "dream house."</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-e-club-barbie-runs-into-controversies-616081/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2><strong>Warner Bros and Greta Gerwig enter the picture</strong></h2>

<p>But the show must go on, and the baton was eventually passed to Warner Bros, determined to give Barbie the spotlight she deserves. And we have a <em>Barbie</em> movie.</p>

<h2><strong>Mattel to blame for all the delay in <em>Barbie</em> movie?</strong></h2>

<p>As we saw, the journey to bring <em>Barbie</em> to life on the big screen had its fair share of setbacks.&nbsp;Part of the reason for the lengthy journey was Mattel's fierce protectiveness of its iconic doll. When Pixar approached them about featuring Barbie in <em>Toy Story</em>, Mattel was cautious. They wanted Barbie to be portrayed as nothing less than perfection. However, they eventually saw the beauty in the tribute to toys, and Barbie made her appearance in <em>Toy Story 2</em>, which probably only helped the Barbie brand.</p>

<p>Remember the catchy tune "Barbie Girl" by Aqua? Mattel wasn't thrilled about the portrayal of Barbie in the song (it had sexual undertones, if you must know) and sought to shut it down. But the courts ruled in favour of artistic expression, and the song continued to resonate with audiences, regardless of Mattel's initial concerns.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/barbie-opens-the-doors-to-her-real-life-malibu-dreamhouse-609535/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>Barbie in animation</h2>

<p>Though Barbie's live-action debut may be her first, she's no stranger to the world of animation. Since 2001, Barbie has been a computer-animated superstar, featuring in over 40 films as per Collider where she's embarked on epic adventures and explored more worlds than a space explorer.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>What the <em>Barbie</em> movie is all about?</h2>

<p>Barbie and Ken, having faced expulsion from the idyllic Barbie Land due to their imperfections, embark on an adventure of self-exploration in the realm of reality. The official synopsis of the film reads, "To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken."&nbsp;</p>

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Lights, camera, Barbie! After an incredible 64-year journey as Mattel's beloved fashion doll, Barbie is finally making her highly anticipated live-action debut on the big screen this Friday.

Lights, camera, Barbie! After an incredible 64-year journey as Mattel's beloved fashion doll, Barbie is finally making her highly anticipated live-action debut on the big screen this Friday. Directed by Greta Gerwig and written by Gerwig and her partner Noah Baumbach, Barbie is a live-action fantasy comedy starring Margot Robbie in the lead role. The film features a huge starry ensemble cast with names like America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Helen Mirren, and Will Ferrell. Barbie has already received highly positive reviews with a score of 89 per cent on review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes. The critical consensus reads, "Barbie is a visually dazzling comedy whose meta humor is smartly complemented by subversive storytelling." The excitement is palpable, and fans worldwide have been eagerly counting down the days. But this isn't just any ordinary debut; it's a milestone for a brand that has become an integral part of popular culture and has left an indelible mark on generations of children. Barbie's road to the movies has been a rollercoaster ride, filled with more twists and turns than a soap opera plot. Barbie movie's long road to fruition Let's go back to 2009 when whispers of a live-action Barbie film first emerged. Universal Pictures showed interest in bringing the iconic doll to life, but the project never progressed beyond the initial discussions. Next up was Sony, which eagerly grabbed the opportunity to bring Barbie to the silver screen. The excitement was soaring when they announced a release date for 2017, with Academy Award winner Diablo Cody penning the script. However, despite Cody confessed that cracking the perfect storyline for Barbie proved to be as elusive as finding Barbie's elusive Ken. "I failed so hard at that project. I was literally incapable of writing a Barbie script. God knows I tried," she said. Well, Cody, we are no strangers to writer's block, either. Enter comedienne Amy Schumer. Schumer and her sister Kim Caramele came up with a fresh and humorous storyline. In their version, Barbie, the ambitious inventor, finds herself expelled from Barbieland for not fitting the mould of "perfection." However, even with Schumer's brilliance, creative disagreements struck again, and the project got shelved faster than one could say "dream house." Warner Bros and Greta Gerwig enter the picture But the show must go on, and the baton was eventually passed to Warner Bros, determined to give Barbie the spotlight she deserves. And we have a Barbie movie. Mattel to blame for all the delay in Barbie movie? As we saw, the journey to bring Barbie to life on the big screen had its fair share of setbacks. Part of the reason for the lengthy journey was Mattel's fierce protectiveness of its iconic doll. When Pixar approached them about featuring Barbie in Toy Story, Mattel was cautious. They wanted Barbie to be portrayed as nothing less than perfection. However, they eventually saw the beauty in the tribute to toys, and Barbie made her appearance in Toy Story 2, which probably only helped the Barbie brand. Remember the catchy tune "Barbie Girl" by Aqua? Mattel wasn't thrilled about the portrayal of Barbie in the song (it had sexual undertones, if you must know) and sought to shut it down. But the courts ruled in favour of artistic expression, and the song continued to resonate with audiences, regardless of Mattel's initial concerns. Barbie in animation Though Barbie's live-action debut may be her first, she's no stranger to the world of animation. Since 2001, Barbie has been a computer-animated superstar, featuring in over 40 films as per Collider where she's embarked on epic adventures and explored more worlds than a space explorer. What the Barbie movie is all about? Barbie and Ken, having faced expulsion from the idyllic Barbie Land due to their imperfections, embark on an adventure of self-exploration in the realm of reality. The official synopsis of the film reads, "To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Why it took so long: The epic journey of Barbie to the big screen

<p>Greta Gerwig, who is gearing up for the release of her new film <em>Barbie</em> this Friday, welcomed her second child, a baby boy, with husband Noah Baumbach earlier this year.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The arrival of the director-writer couple’s newest addition to the family was revealed in an Elle UK profile of the filmmaker. The baby is the second of the couple who also has a 4-year-old son, Harold. Baumbach has a 13-year-old son, Rohmer, from his previous marriage. The news of the baby's arrival was not made by the couple earlier.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
During the interview, which covers Gerwig’s personal journeys as well as her professional and creative ones, the filmmaker initially discusses her new baby in the context of reflecting on where she is in life.<br />
<br />
“I’m about to be 40,” she told the magazine. “And there’s something about that where you’re like: Oh! I’m properly middle-aged now.’ All parts of life feel extremely activated.”<br />
<br />
During the interview, Gerwig reportedly stepped away to pump breastmilk for her newborn and even shared photos with the publication of her baby.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
“He’s a little Schmoo. I don’t know if you can tell energy from the picture, but that’s very much his energy,” she said. “The little guy is sleeping through the night. But I’m still doing that thing where I wake up, every hour to 90 minutes, and just hover. You just keep wanting to look at that baby. So I’m slightly in a twilight state.”<br />
<br />
The interview marks the first time Gerwig or Baumbach have discussed the birth of their second son. The Oscar-nominated writer and director announced she was pregnant for the second time back in December 2022 during an appearance on <em>The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.</em></p>

<p>During the episode, Fallon teased Gerwig had news, with the director responding, “Yes, I am with child,” as the audience cheered and applauded.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gerwig's film <em>Barbie,</em> featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the lead, is one of the most anticipated films of the year. The film has been co-written by Gerwig and Baumbach. Barbie will have a box office clash with Christopher Nolan's <em>Oppenheimer </em>on July 21.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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Greta Gerwig, who is gearing up for the release of her new film Barbie this Friday, welcomed her second child, a baby boy, with husband Noah Baumbach earlier this year.

Greta Gerwig, who is gearing up for the release of her new film Barbie this Friday, welcomed her second child, a baby boy, with husband Noah Baumbach earlier this year. The arrival of the director-writer couple’s newest addition to the family was revealed in an Elle UK profile of the filmmaker. The baby is the second of the couple who also has a 4-year-old son, Harold. Baumbach has a 13-year-old son, Rohmer, from his previous marriage. The news of the baby's arrival was not made by the couple earlier. During the interview, which covers Gerwig’s personal journeys as well as her professional and creative ones, the filmmaker initially discusses her new baby in the context of reflecting on where she is in life. “I’m about to be 40,” she told the magazine. “And there’s something about that where you’re like: Oh! I’m properly middle-aged now.’ All parts of life feel extremely activated.” During the interview, Gerwig reportedly stepped away to pump breastmilk for her newborn and even shared photos with the publication of her baby. “He’s a little Schmoo. I don’t know if you can tell energy from the picture, but that’s very much his energy,” she said. “The little guy is sleeping through the night. But I’m still doing that thing where I wake up, every hour to 90 minutes, and just hover. You just keep wanting to look at that baby. So I’m slightly in a twilight state.” The interview marks the first time Gerwig or Baumbach have discussed the birth of their second son. The Oscar-nominated writer and director announced she was pregnant for the second time back in December 2022 during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. During the episode, Fallon teased Gerwig had news, with the director responding, “Yes, I am with child,” as the audience cheered and applauded. Gerwig's film Barbie, featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the lead, is one of the most anticipated films of the year. The film has been co-written by Gerwig and Baumbach. Barbie will have a box office clash with Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer on July 21. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Barbie director Greta Gerwig and husband Noah Baumbach quietly welcomed their second child together

<p>Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling starrer <em>Barbie </em>is based on one of the most loved dolls across the world. <em>Barbie</em> dolls have been one of the most popular toys for kids across the world for several generations. Naturally, a movie based on the popular doll has got everyone curious. But if recent reports are to be believed, the <em>Barbie </em>movie, directed by Greta Gerwig is not really kids-friendly.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
According to reports, <em>Barbie</em> movie has been deemed unfit for children under the age of 12. In Britain, the film has got a 12A rating.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The rating has angered several parents who now must decide between denying their children a blockbuster movie about their favourite toy – or risk exposing them to adult themes they might not be ready for.<br />
<br />
<strong>Controversial scenes and dialogues</strong><br />
<br />
The film was given official classification because, it contains "moderate innuendo, brief sexual harassment and implied strong language." The film also contains a bleeped-out 'motherf*****'.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
In one scene there is a reference to masturbation, while another involves a group of men harassing <em>Barbie,</em> with one of them slapping her on the bottom. She responds by punching him in the face and ends up being arrested. She and Ken are then shown having their police mugshots taken.<br />
<br />
In another scene, a child is shown melting a doll's hair with a lighter. The scene, in particular, was objected to by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) and the body said it constitutes 'dangerous behaviour'.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The BBFC has also highlighted the film uses the words ‘crap’, ‘hell’ and ‘damn’.<br />
<br />
<strong>Parents raise concern</strong></p>

<p><br />
<em>Barbie</em> dolls are extremely popular with children, some&nbsp;as young as three years old. The scenes have left parents concerned as they have criticised the makers for including risque content.<br />
<br />
Clare Jones, 39, from Kent, told a British tabloid, &nbsp;“You would think filmmakers would aim it at the younger generation. I’m questioning whether to take my daughter and she’s a big fan. We even had a <em>Barbie</em> party last year. But now parents need to think ‘do we take them, do we not?’ It’s as though filmmakers have forgotten what Barbie is... as if they are trying to take their childhood away, trying to make children grow up before they have to.”</p>

<p>“A lot of it will probably go over children’s heads, but that’s beside the point. It shouldn’t have to go over their heads.”</p>

<p>Some on the Mumsnet online forum commented on the film's questionable content. One wrote “I really want to see it. My child is nine and plays with Barbies. But I don’t know whether to take her or not. I don’t think she’s ever watched a 12A before.”<br />
<br />
Another added, “My seven-year-old is desperate to watch this but I’m reluctant as it’s a 12A. Stupid to make a film about a children’s toy which a lot of children won’t be allowed to see.”</p>

<p><em>Barbie </em>movie is narrated by Dame Helen Mirren and co-stars Will Ferrell, singer Dua Lipa and Simu Liu among others and charts the adventures of Ken and Barbie when they swap their idyllic home for the real world.<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling starrer Barbie is based on one of the most loved dolls across the world. Barbie dolls have been one of the most popular toys for kids across the world for several generations.

Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling starrer Barbie is based on one of the most loved dolls across the world. Barbie dolls have been one of the most popular toys for kids across the world for several generations. Naturally, a movie based on the popular doll has got everyone curious. But if recent reports are to be believed, the Barbie movie, directed by Greta Gerwig is not really kids-friendly. According to reports, Barbie movie has been deemed unfit for children under the age of 12. In Britain, the film has got a 12A rating. The rating has angered several parents who now must decide between denying their children a blockbuster movie about their favourite toy – or risk exposing them to adult themes they might not be ready for. Controversial scenes and dialogues The film was given official classification because, it contains "moderate innuendo, brief sexual harassment and implied strong language." The film also contains a bleeped-out 'motherf*****'. In one scene there is a reference to masturbation, while another involves a group of men harassing Barbie, with one of them slapping her on the bottom. She responds by punching him in the face and ends up being arrested. She and Ken are then shown having their police mugshots taken. In another scene, a child is shown melting a doll's hair with a lighter. The scene, in particular, was objected to by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) and the body said it constitutes 'dangerous behaviour'. The BBFC has also highlighted the film uses the words ‘crap’, ‘hell’ and ‘damn’. Parents raise concern Barbie dolls are extremely popular with children, some as young as three years old. The scenes have left parents concerned as they have criticised the makers for including risque content. Clare Jones, 39, from Kent, told a British tabloid, “You would think filmmakers would aim it at the younger generation. I’m questioning whether to take my daughter and she’s a big fan. We even had a Barbie party last year. But now parents need to think ‘do we take them, do we not?’ It’s as though filmmakers have forgotten what Barbie is... as if they are trying to take their childhood away, trying to make children grow up before they have to.” “A lot of it will probably go over children’s heads, but that’s beside the point. It shouldn’t have to go over their heads.” Some on the Mumsnet online forum commented on the film's questionable content. One wrote “I really want to see it. My child is nine and plays with Barbies. But I don’t know whether to take her or not. I don’t think she’s ever watched a 12A before.” Another added, “My seven-year-old is desperate to watch this but I’m reluctant as it’s a 12A. Stupid to make a film about a children’s toy which a lot of children won’t be allowed to see.” Barbie movie is narrated by Dame Helen Mirren and co-stars Will Ferrell, singer Dua Lipa and Simu Liu among others and charts the adventures of Ken and Barbie when they swap their idyllic home for the real world.

Is Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling's Barbie not a kid-friendly film?

<p>The world is about to be hit by a pink tsunami as <em>Barbie</em> -- Hollywood's ironic new take on the doll feminists once loved to hate -- opens with a vast marketing campaign.</p>

<p>Not even an actors' and writers' strike has been able to put brakes on the juggernaut, with the first images of stars Margot Robbie as Barbie, and Ryan Gosling as her square-jawed boyfriend Ken, sending social media into a frenzy of fuchsia.</p>

<p>With the movie hitting big screens across Europe from Wednesday, and North America from Friday, the expectation is building at how director and indie film darling Greta Gerwig has tackled the most flagrant of corporate product-placement vehicles.</p>

<p>Many were surprised that the acclaimed feminist maker of Little Women, Lady Bird and Frances Ha would be tempted to take on a doll whose body is said to be so unrealistic she would not be able to walk if she were a real woman.</p>

<p>But already in the trailer, it is clear Gerwig's take on Barbie is nothing if not tongue-in-cheek.</p>

<p>After a few perfect "life in plastic" days with the other Barbies in their bubblegum Californian world, she has her heroine kick off her high heels to put on a pair of sensible Birkenstock sandals to leave Barbie Land behind and plunge into the real world.</p>

<p>With Ryan Gosling camping it up as a breezily sexist Ken bare-chested under a fur coat, the two go AWOL, to the horror of toymaker Mattel.</p>

<p>"If you hate Barbie, this movie is for you," the trailer proclaims.&nbsp;"The movie is packing so much in," Robbie told AFP on the pink carpet of the London premiere.</p>

<p><strong>- 'Full of controversy' -</strong><br />
<br />
"There is so much joy, it's hilarious, it's very clever and it has a lot to say," said the Australian actress, who is also one of the film's producers. "It's a crazy ride and a visual spectacle. I cannot think of another movie that is like it."&nbsp;</p>

<p>While critics say Barbie has brainwashed generations of young girls with an unattainable ideal of beauty and thinness, others see her as a figure of female emancipation through figures like Astronaut Barbie and Barbie the surgeon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gerwig, 39, said her approach to tackling Barbie was "by not denying that she's full of controversy.&nbsp;"In some ways Barbie has been ahead of culture, in some ways she has been behind it," she told AFP. "But she has definitely been a topic of conversation for 64 years."</p>

<p>Chinese-born Simu Liu, who plays one of the many Kens in the movie, said he admired how Gerwig "doesn't shy away from some of the criticisms of Barbie, some of the very valid criticisms of body image and of diversity... but still wraps it in an era of optimism and hope."</p>

<p>Issa Rae, of <em>Awkward Black Girl</em>&nbsp;fame, who plays one of the Barbies, said despite all the "negative associations", for her Barbie went back to core memories of her childhood.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>- Girl power makeover -</strong><br />
<br />
"I think about telling stories with Barbies, making Barbies kiss and thinking about all the different questions I had about life, posing that onto Barbie," she told AFP. "So people are very protective of her in that way."</p>

<p>Gerwig -- who wrote her first hits about New York life with her partner,<em> Marriage Story&nbsp;</em>director Noah Baumbach -- is next to take on another childhood cultural colossus by adapting the <em>Chronicles of Narnia</em>&nbsp;for Netflix.</p>

<p>While Barbie's makers Mattel seemed happy to be cast as cartoon baddies in the trailer for the film, they are counting on the blockbuster giving their lodestar toy some "girl power" cred as she challenges the patriarchy.</p>

<p>But behind Barbie's Dayglo optimism, the turnover of Mattel's dolls division fell by nine percent last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And the old sexist stereotypes have not been easy to airbrush away. Uniformly blonde and white for decades, Barbie has been going through a huge makeover since 2016 with 175 different models reflecting different colours and body types -- "curvy, tall and petite" -- as well as dolls with physical disabilities.</p>

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The world is about to be hit by a pink tsunami as Barbie -- Hollywood's ironic new take on the doll feminists once loved to hate -- opens with a vast marketing campaign.

The world is about to be hit by a pink tsunami as Barbie -- Hollywood's ironic new take on the doll feminists once loved to hate -- opens with a vast marketing campaign. Not even an actors' and writers' strike has been able to put brakes on the juggernaut, with the first images of stars Margot Robbie as Barbie, and Ryan Gosling as her square-jawed boyfriend Ken, sending social media into a frenzy of fuchsia. With the movie hitting big screens across Europe from Wednesday, and North America from Friday, the expectation is building at how director and indie film darling Greta Gerwig has tackled the most flagrant of corporate product-placement vehicles. Many were surprised that the acclaimed feminist maker of Little Women, Lady Bird and Frances Ha would be tempted to take on a doll whose body is said to be so unrealistic she would not be able to walk if she were a real woman. But already in the trailer, it is clear Gerwig's take on Barbie is nothing if not tongue-in-cheek. After a few perfect "life in plastic" days with the other Barbies in their bubblegum Californian world, she has her heroine kick off her high heels to put on a pair of sensible Birkenstock sandals to leave Barbie Land behind and plunge into the real world. With Ryan Gosling camping it up as a breezily sexist Ken bare-chested under a fur coat, the two go AWOL, to the horror of toymaker Mattel. "If you hate Barbie, this movie is for you," the trailer proclaims. "The movie is packing so much in," Robbie told AFP on the pink carpet of the London premiere. - 'Full of controversy' - "There is so much joy, it's hilarious, it's very clever and it has a lot to say," said the Australian actress, who is also one of the film's producers. "It's a crazy ride and a visual spectacle. I cannot think of another movie that is like it." While critics say Barbie has brainwashed generations of young girls with an unattainable ideal of beauty and thinness, others see her as a figure of female emancipation through figures like Astronaut Barbie and Barbie the surgeon. Gerwig, 39, said her approach to tackling Barbie was "by not denying that she's full of controversy. "In some ways Barbie has been ahead of culture, in some ways she has been behind it," she told AFP. "But she has definitely been a topic of conversation for 64 years." Chinese-born Simu Liu, who plays one of the many Kens in the movie, said he admired how Gerwig "doesn't shy away from some of the criticisms of Barbie, some of the very valid criticisms of body image and of diversity... but still wraps it in an era of optimism and hope." Issa Rae, of Awkward Black Girl fame, who plays one of the Barbies, said despite all the "negative associations", for her Barbie went back to core memories of her childhood. - Girl power makeover - "I think about telling stories with Barbies, making Barbies kiss and thinking about all the different questions I had about life, posing that onto Barbie," she told AFP. "So people are very protective of her in that way." Gerwig -- who wrote her first hits about New York life with her partner, Marriage Story director Noah Baumbach -- is next to take on another childhood cultural colossus by adapting the Chronicles of Narnia for Netflix. While Barbie's makers Mattel seemed happy to be cast as cartoon baddies in the trailer for the film, they are counting on the blockbuster giving their lodestar toy some "girl power" cred as she challenges the patriarchy. But behind Barbie's Dayglo optimism, the turnover of Mattel's dolls division fell by nine percent last year. And the old sexist stereotypes have not been easy to airbrush away. Uniformly blonde and white for decades, Barbie has been going through a huge makeover since 2016 with 175 different models reflecting different colours and body types -- "curvy, tall and petite" -- as well as dolls with physical disabilities. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Let's go party!' Barbie readies to paint the world pink

Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling starrer Barbie is based on one of the most loved dolls across the world. Barbie dolls have been one of the most popular toys for kids across the world for several generations. Naturally, a movie based on the popular doll has got everyone curious. But if recent reports are to be believed, the Barbie movie, directed by Greta Gerwig is not really kids-friendly. Watch this to know more.

<p>'Barbenheimer' is all the rage these days. It is a portmanteau of two big studio films (albeit of a very different kind) that are clashing at the box office thanks to same-day release (on July 21) — Greta Gerwig's <em>Barbie </em>and Christopher Nolan's <em>Oppenheimer</em>. Despite the fact that the movies, starring Margot Robbie and Cillian Murphy, respectively, are so different from each other (if you cannot tell just by the marketing, <em>Barbie </em>is all vibrant and pink, while <em>Oppenheimer </em>is dark and brooding), moviegoers around the world have made up their minds that they are going to do a double feature on the day of the release. Barbenheimer is also a dating trend now.</p>

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<h2><strong>Barbenheimer a dating trend?</strong></h2>

<p>Yes, really! It revolves around choosing partners who are your opposite, much like <em>Oppenheimer </em>is to <em>Barbie</em>. Emma Hathorn, a dating expert from Seeking, explained to Indy 100, "While dating someone outside of your usual type may be new or intimidating for some, it can connect you with someone who challenges you to become the best version of yourself."</p>

<p>Hathorn also said that the benefits of such a relationship can also be seen in the sex life. "On a physical level, the spark is unlikely to fizzle — it’s a dynamic coupling that fosters a continuous honeymoon period due to the allure of exploring unknown territories," she said.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-barbenheimer-gains-momentum-as-20000-plan-double-feature-of-barbie-and-oppenheimer-on-opening-day-614194">'Barbenheimer' gains momentum as 20,000 plan double feature of <em>Barbie </em>and <em>Oppenheimer </em>on opening day</a></strong></p>

<p>She added, "Whilst the thrill of entering each other’s worlds can reap many benefits, contrary views and beliefs are likely to arise at some point leading to some potential confrontation. These are not easy to parse in a relationship, but they are the greatest route to evolving your own maturity, and how you view others who are different from yourself. People are thrilled to dig into an experience which evokes a range of different emotions and gives you a taste of multiple worlds - and this is the excitement people are pining for in their dating lives today."</p>

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<h2><strong>What is <em>Barbie </em>all about?</strong></h2>

<p><em>Barbie </em>follows the journey of Barbie and Ken, who find themselves expelled from the perfect world of Barbie Land due to their imperfections. Directed by Gerwig and co-written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the film explores themes of self-exploration and existential crisis as the characters navigate the realm of reality. The star-studded cast includes Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Emma Mackey, America Ferrera, Alexandra Shipp, Ariana Greenblatt, Emerald Fennell, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Sharon Rooney, Anna Cruz Kanye, Ritu Arya, Conor Swindell, Jamie Demetriou, Marisa Abela, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Ncuti Gatwa.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-before-oppenheimer-heres-exploring-how-christopher-nolan-makes-movies-615937">Before <em>Oppenheimer</em>, here's exploring how Christopher Nolan makes movies</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>What is <em>Oppenheimer </em>all about?</strong></h2>

<p><em>Oppenheimer </em>is a highly anticipated film directed by Nolan that explores the life and legacy of J Robert Oppenheimer, a renowned American theoretical physicist known as the "father of the atomic bomb." The movie delves into Oppenheimer's involvement in the Manhattan Project, a top-secret research endeavour that ultimately led to the creation of the atomic bomb. Cillian Murphy takes on the role of Oppenheimer, portraying his complex journey and the moral dilemmas he faced. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie, Michael Angarano, Josh Hartnett, and Kenneth Branagh, who contribute their talents to bring this captivating historical figure and the surrounding events to life on the big screen.</p>

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'Barbenheimer' is all the rage these days. It is a portmanteau of two big studio films (albeit of a very different kind) that are clashing at the box office thanks to same-day release (on July 21) — Greta Gerwig's Barbie and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer.

'Barbenheimer' is all the rage these days. It is a portmanteau of two big studio films (albeit of a very different kind) that are clashing at the box office thanks to same-day release (on July 21) — Greta Gerwig's Barbie and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. Despite the fact that the movies, starring Margot Robbie and Cillian Murphy, respectively, are so different from each other (if you cannot tell just by the marketing, Barbie is all vibrant and pink, while Oppenheimer is dark and brooding), moviegoers around the world have made up their minds that they are going to do a double feature on the day of the release. Barbenheimer is also a dating trend now. Barbenheimer a dating trend? Yes, really! It revolves around choosing partners who are your opposite, much like Oppenheimer is to Barbie. Emma Hathorn, a dating expert from Seeking, explained to Indy 100, "While dating someone outside of your usual type may be new or intimidating for some, it can connect you with someone who challenges you to become the best version of yourself." Hathorn also said that the benefits of such a relationship can also be seen in the sex life. "On a physical level, the spark is unlikely to fizzle — it’s a dynamic coupling that fosters a continuous honeymoon period due to the allure of exploring unknown territories," she said. Also Read: 'Barbenheimer' gains momentum as 20,000 plan double feature of Barbie and Oppenheimer on opening day She added, "Whilst the thrill of entering each other’s worlds can reap many benefits, contrary views and beliefs are likely to arise at some point leading to some potential confrontation. These are not easy to parse in a relationship, but they are the greatest route to evolving your own maturity, and how you view others who are different from yourself. People are thrilled to dig into an experience which evokes a range of different emotions and gives you a taste of multiple worlds - and this is the excitement people are pining for in their dating lives today." What is Barbie all about? Barbie follows the journey of Barbie and Ken, who find themselves expelled from the perfect world of Barbie Land due to their imperfections. Directed by Gerwig and co-written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the film explores themes of self-exploration and existential crisis as the characters navigate the realm of reality. The star-studded cast includes Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Emma Mackey, America Ferrera, Alexandra Shipp, Ariana Greenblatt, Emerald Fennell, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Sharon Rooney, Anna Cruz Kanye, Ritu Arya, Conor Swindell, Jamie Demetriou, Marisa Abela, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Ncuti Gatwa. Also Read: Before Oppenheimer, here's exploring how Christopher Nolan makes movies What is Oppenheimer all about? Oppenheimer is a highly anticipated film directed by Nolan that explores the life and legacy of J Robert Oppenheimer, a renowned American theoretical physicist known as the "father of the atomic bomb." The movie delves into Oppenheimer's involvement in the Manhattan Project, a top-secret research endeavour that ultimately led to the creation of the atomic bomb. Cillian Murphy takes on the role of Oppenheimer, portraying his complex journey and the moral dilemmas he faced. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie, Michael Angarano, Josh Hartnett, and Kenneth Branagh, who contribute their talents to bring this captivating historical figure and the surrounding events to life on the big screen. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Barbenheimer: From blockbuster showdown to summer's hottest dating trend?

<p>Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling starrer <em>Barbie</em> is one of the most anticipated films of the month. While the official release date of the film is 21 July 2023, some lucky fans and members of the press have been able to catch an early preview show of the Greta Gerwig film. The film's first reactions have been stupendous, with most praising it on social media. Gerwig's film won kudos for its cast, production design and script and most feel it is an entertaining movie that lives up to all the hype.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>About <em>Barbie</em> movie&nbsp;</strong><br />
<br />
Greta Gerwig's film <em>Barbie</em> stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. It also stars America Ferrera, Simu Liu, Dua Lipa, Emerald Fennell, Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera and Will Ferrell. The film has Robbie's Barbie being expelled from the utopian Barbie Land and moving to the real world and rediscovering herself along with Gosling's Ken.<br />
<br />
<strong>First reactions to <em>Barbie&nbsp;</em></strong><br />
<br />
Ahead of the release of the film, fans have showered praises on it on Twitter. Jamie Jirak of ComicBook.com said, "I can't officially quit Twitter before telling you all that #Barbie is currently my favourite 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!"<br />
<br />
Perri Nemiroff of Collider wrote, "I have seen #Barbie! The craftsmanship is incredible. In particular, the costume &amp; 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." Though she had her reservations about the story, she added, "As for the story, that’s where I’m a bit more mixed. I think the film serves Margot Robbie’s Barbie and her journey especially well, but there are other characters experiencing important arcs that needed more screen time to really dig into and explore to the fullest."</p>

<p>While critics loved the overall experience of Barbie, fans praised Ryan Gosling's performance.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
A user called <em>Barbie</em> a 'classic' and said, "#Barbie was a deeply cathartic experience. It’s about the industrialization of art/iconography forming sensibility instead of individualism, and Greta tells it with so much joy and heart. I was cackling at Gosling’s himbo Ken one scene and bawling my eyes out at the next. A classic."&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Another reserved high praise for the film and wrote, "#Barbie is a cinematic triumph. Gerwig is at the top of her game here, she’s crafted a film that’s not only gorgeous to look at, but poignant, clever and hilarious. Margot Robbie delivers an endearing and memorable performance, though it’s Gosling who stole every scene he was in."<br />
<br />
Directed by Greta Gerwig, <em>Barbie</em> hits theatres worldwide on July 21, the same day when Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer releases in cinemas.&nbsp;</p>


Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling starrer Barbie is one of the most anticipated films of the month. While the official release date of the film is 21 July 2023, some lucky fans and members of the press have been able to catch an early preview show of the Greta Gerwig film.

Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling starrer Barbie is one of the most anticipated films of the month. While the official release date of the film is 21 July 2023, some lucky fans and members of the press have been able to catch an early preview show of the Greta Gerwig film. The film's first reactions have been stupendous, with most praising it on social media. Gerwig's film won kudos for its cast, production design and script and most feel it is an entertaining movie that lives up to all the hype. About Barbie movie Greta Gerwig's film Barbie stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. It also stars America Ferrera, Simu Liu, Dua Lipa, Emerald Fennell, Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera and Will Ferrell. The film has Robbie's Barbie being expelled from the utopian Barbie Land and moving to the real world and rediscovering herself along with Gosling's Ken. First reactions to Barbie Ahead of the release of the film, fans have showered praises on it on Twitter. Jamie Jirak of ComicBook.com said, "I can't officially quit Twitter before telling you all that #Barbie is currently my favourite 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!" Perri Nemiroff of Collider wrote, "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." Though she had her reservations about the story, she added, "As for the story, that’s where I’m a bit more mixed. I think the film serves Margot Robbie’s Barbie and her journey especially well, but there are other characters experiencing important arcs that needed more screen time to really dig into and explore to the fullest." While critics loved the overall experience of Barbie, fans praised Ryan Gosling's performance. A user called Barbie a 'classic' and said, "#Barbie was a deeply cathartic experience. It’s about the industrialization of art/iconography forming sensibility instead of individualism, and Greta tells it with so much joy and heart. I was cackling at Gosling’s himbo Ken one scene and bawling my eyes out at the next. A classic." Another reserved high praise for the film and wrote, "#Barbie is a cinematic triumph. Gerwig is at the top of her game here, she’s crafted a film that’s not only gorgeous to look at, but poignant, clever and hilarious. Margot Robbie delivers an endearing and memorable performance, though it’s Gosling who stole every scene he was in." Directed by Greta Gerwig, Barbie hits theatres worldwide on July 21, the same day when Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer releases in cinemas.

Barbie movie first reactions are in; fans and critics call it a 'cinematic triumph'

<p>It appears the 'Barbenheimer' trend is here to stay. A portmanteau of two of the most awaited movies of this summer — <em>Barbie </em>and <em>Oppenheimer </em>— it has caught on, thanks to not just the sheer appeal of both movies but also how amusingly different they are from each other. While Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer is a grim biopic of the man who was instrumental in building a weapon of mass destruction, the other is a light and colourful Greta Gerwig directorial based on a popular little&nbsp;toy. And yet, as per The Hollywood Reporter, more than 20,000 people will do a double feature of 'Barbenheimer'. Elizabeth Frank, Executive VP Worldwide Programming &amp; Chief Content Officer of AMC Theatres, said the fact that so many have already made plans and bought tickets to watch both the films on their opening day is an encouraging indication that the online buzz surrounding the films is translating into actual ticket sales.</p>

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<h2><strong>What is <em>Barbie </em>all about?</strong></h2>

<p><em>Barbie</em>&nbsp;follows the journey of Barbie and Ken, who find themselves expelled from the perfect world of Barbie Land due to their imperfections. Directed by Gerwig and co-written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the film explores themes of self-exploration and existential crisis as the characters navigate the realm of reality. The star-studded cast includes Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Emma Mackey, America Ferrera, Alexandra Shipp, Ariana Greenblatt, Emerald Fennell, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Sharon Rooney, Anna Cruz Kanye, Ritu Arya, Conor Swindell, Jamie Demetriou, Marisa Abela, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Ncuti Gatwa.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-oppenheimer-which-is-the-best-way-to-watch-christopher-nolan-film-611797"><em>Oppenheimer</em>: Which is the best way to watch the Christopher Nolan film?</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>What is <em>Oppenheimer </em>all about?</strong></h2>

<p><em>Oppenheimer </em>is a highly anticipated film directed by Nolan that explores the life and legacy of <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-explained-i-the-mind-of-oppenheimer-inventor-of-nuclear-bomb-who-turned-pacifist-587081">J&nbsp;Robert Oppenheimer</a></strong>, a renowned American theoretical physicist known as the "father of the atomic bomb." The movie delves into Oppenheimer's involvement in the Manhattan Project, a top-secret research endeavour that ultimately led to the creation of the atomic bomb. Cillian Murphy takes on the role of Oppenheimer, portraying his complex journey and the moral dilemmas he faced. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie, Michael Angarano, Josh Hartnett, and Kenneth Branagh, who contribute their talents to bring this captivating historical figure and the surrounding events to life on the big screen.</p>

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<h2><strong><em>Barbie </em>and <em>Oppenheimer </em>release dates</strong></h2>

<p>Both <em>Barbie </em>and <em>Oppenheimer </em>will release on July 21.</p>

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It appears the 'Barbenheimer' trend is here to stay. A portmanteau of two of the most awaited movies of this summer — Barbie and Oppenheimer — it has caught on, thanks to not just the sheer appeal of both movies but also how amusingly different they are from each other.

It appears the 'Barbenheimer' trend is here to stay. A portmanteau of two of the most awaited movies of this summer — Barbie and Oppenheimer — it has caught on, thanks to not just the sheer appeal of both movies but also how amusingly different they are from each other. While Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer is a grim biopic of the man who was instrumental in building a weapon of mass destruction, the other is a light and colourful Greta Gerwig directorial based on a popular little toy. And yet, as per The Hollywood Reporter, more than 20,000 people will do a double feature of 'Barbenheimer'. Elizabeth Frank, Executive VP Worldwide Programming & Chief Content Officer of AMC Theatres, said the fact that so many have already made plans and bought tickets to watch both the films on their opening day is an encouraging indication that the online buzz surrounding the films is translating into actual ticket sales. What is Barbie all about? Barbie follows the journey of Barbie and Ken, who find themselves expelled from the perfect world of Barbie Land due to their imperfections. Directed by Gerwig and co-written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the film explores themes of self-exploration and existential crisis as the characters navigate the realm of reality. The star-studded cast includes Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Emma Mackey, America Ferrera, Alexandra Shipp, Ariana Greenblatt, Emerald Fennell, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Sharon Rooney, Anna Cruz Kanye, Ritu Arya, Conor Swindell, Jamie Demetriou, Marisa Abela, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Ncuti Gatwa. Also Read: Oppenheimer: Which is the best way to watch the Christopher Nolan film? What is Oppenheimer all about? Oppenheimer is a highly anticipated film directed by Nolan that explores the life and legacy of J Robert Oppenheimer, a renowned American theoretical physicist known as the "father of the atomic bomb." The movie delves into Oppenheimer's involvement in the Manhattan Project, a top-secret research endeavour that ultimately led to the creation of the atomic bomb. Cillian Murphy takes on the role of Oppenheimer, portraying his complex journey and the moral dilemmas he faced. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie, Michael Angarano, Josh Hartnett, and Kenneth Branagh, who contribute their talents to bring this captivating historical figure and the surrounding events to life on the big screen. Barbie and Oppenheimer release dates Both Barbie and Oppenheimer will release on July 21. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Barbenheimer' gains momentum as 20,000 plan double feature of Barbie and Oppenheimer on opening day

Netflix has roped in Greta Gerwig the director of the upcoming Hollywood flick Barbie for the Chronicles of Narnia series. Netflix acquired the film and TV rights for Narnia based on the famous book series by CS Lewis called 'The Chronicles of Narnia' in the year 2018. With more details in our report.

The Chronicles of Greta Gerwig with Netflix

Are you a Barbie or just a Ken? If you haven't lived under a rock so far, then you would have noticed the latest Barbie trend that has caught everyone's fancy on the Internet.

Are you a Barbie or just a Ken? If you haven't lived under a rock so far, then you would have noticed the latest Barbie trend that has caught everyone's fancy on the Internet. Filmmaker Greta Gerwig's highly anticipated film Barbie, featuring Margot Robbie in the titular role, is all set to release in the summer of 2023. The film's makers teased fans as they shared character posters of the film introducing the impressive lineup of actors that are set to play a different version of Barbie or her boyfriend Ken in the film. Actors like Ryan Gosling, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, Emma Mackey, Sharon Rooney, Dua Lipa, Simu Liu, America Ferrera, Helen Mirren, Scott Evans, and Ncuti Gatwa are all part of the film. Interestingly, while actors who are playing different versions of Barbie have been given distinct character traits, the actors playing Ken are well, just...Ken- devoid of any specific traits. The posters provide a glimpse of various Barbies, revealing cast members like Dua Lipa, who’s making her acting debut as a Barbie who is a mermaid, and Kate McKinnon, who’s playing a Barbie who is "always in the splits," and Robbie as Barbie who is 'everything'. But all the actors are typically introduced as 'He is Just a Ken'. Barbie and its problematic past For years, Mattel- the maker of the Barbie doll, has been criticised for making the most popular doll in the world stereotypical. Critics have debated that the doll's appearance has been sexualised and it promotes a certain body type among young girls which is unrealistic. A typical Barbie doll has a narrow waist, a full chest, and long slender arms and legs. The doll is always perched on her toes- ready to slip into heels. When it was first introduced in 1959, it was typically blonde haired and adult bodied- inspired from a a German toy doll called Bild Lilli. Criticisms of Barbie are often centered around concerns that children consider Barbie a role model and will attempt to emulate her. One of the most common criticisms of Barbie is that she promotes an unrealistic idea of body image for a young woman, leading to a risk that girls who attempt to emulate her will become anorexic. With changing times, Mattel has consciously tried to change the image of Barbie dolls to make them more relatable for young girls. The mould of the doll too has undergone significant change to make Barbie look more realistic-thereby promoting a more positive body image. Over the years, Barbie has adopted various professions and ethnicity. We have a black Barbie, a doctor Barbie, and an Indian Barbie to name a few. While the Barbie doll has gone through changes, its male counterpart Ken has remained more or less the same. Greta Gerwig's land of Barbie The exact plot of the Barbie film is not known so far but the character posters seem to address a long-standing debate on how good an influence these dolls are on young girls. Gerwig seems to have used Barbie as a metaphor to represent the modern woman - who are known for more than their looks. Barbie has been considered an example of how women should be and so Gerwig's Barbies have various attributes and are not just sexual objects of desire for men. Notice how the men are depicted in the poster? They look brawny, and plastic and have no defined attributes. Women are typically known to juggle multiple roles in life. They have - for years- balanced both work and home beautifully while men are typically known to just achieve great heights professionally. Gerwig's sly dig on the societal imbalance did not go unnoticed on the internet. The social media trend The internet caught on to the Barbie trend almost instantly and made its own version of it- often equating real-life couples and on-screen popular couples to Barbie and Ken. In all the memes, the women were given attributes and the men were just Ken. Here take a look at the memes. my favourite part of all the barbie posters is all the women have elaborate and cool career titles and the men are just "he is ken" — mai (@sadthedreamer) April 4, 2023 × This Barbie is a goddess. He is just a Ken. pic.twitter.com/VALwGrJr6n — Ceci Kalach (@KalachCeci) April 4, 2023 × She’s everything, he is just ken pic.twitter.com/3u0heYCN0K — Davide (@HuertDeAuteuil) April 5, 2023 × She is everything, he is just a Ken pic.twitter.com/j6Y0Q8UGiT — aurora⁷ (@Rhaenyrawidow) April 4, 2023 × She is Mother. He is just Ken. pic.twitter.com/Un8eVLlF28 — Anjali Agarwal (@anjaliagarwal05) April 6, 2023 × View this post on Instagram A post shared by LBB Delhi NCR (@lbbdelhincr) × has this been done yet? #Barbie pic.twitter.com/PNbqmywn5n — 🕊️ (@newdiaryentry) April 5, 2023 × That's not all. While the feminist take on Barbie made people laugh, it also led to a huge marketing campaign as the brand picked up the trend and redesigned it to promote its own products. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vigil Aunty (@vforvigilaunty) × View this post on Instagram A post shared by McDonald's India (@mcdonalds_india) × View this post on Instagram A post shared by Burger King India (@burgerkingindia) × Barbie enthusiasts can also create their own plastic personas through the Barbie Selfie Generator. It requires just one step: uploading a picture of yourself, then the AI adds customized colours and text. The trend also led to several Instagram pages making commentary on celebrities. Take a look: Got room for one more barbie? https://t.co/KyAU5YH95U pic.twitter.com/IdOrrLtk3t — LSU Women's Basketball (@LSUwbkb) April 4, 2023 × Our musical universe of Barbies! 🤌🏻✨#Selenators #Eilishers #RihannaNavy #ThursdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/fCk8qiGa7y — Universal Music India (@UMusicIndia) April 6, 2023 × don't ski into her f**king back #Barbie pic.twitter.com/a3pc9yBwi7 — Saint Hoax (@SaintHoax) April 4, 2023 × Directed by Greta Gerwig who also serves a co-writer of the film along with Noah Baumbach, Barbie has been produced by David Heyman, Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley and Robbie Brenner. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on July 21. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: Why is the Internet obsessed with Barbie memes?

Are you a Barbie or just a Ken? If you haven't lived under a rock so far, then you would have noticed the latest Barbie trend that has caught everyone's fancy on the Internet. Filmmaker Greta Gerwig's highly anticipated film Barbie, featuring Margot Robbie in the titular role, is all set to release in the summer of 2023. The film's makers teased fans as they shared character posters of the film introducing the impressive lineup of actors that are set to play a different version of Barbie or her boyfriend Ken in the film. Watch this video to find out why the internet is obsessed with Barbie memes.

Barbie memes: Why the Internet is obsessed

Barbie memes: Why is the Internet obsessed?

Every girl is Barbie and every boy is Ken. Or so the new character posters of Greta Gerwig's Barbie movie seem to suggest. The makers unveiled a handful of character posters on Tuesday of all the actors in the film.

Every girl is Barbie and every boy is Ken. Or so the new character posters of Greta Gerwig's Barbie movie seem to suggest. The makers unveiled a handful of character posters on Tuesday of all the actors in the film. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are not the only actors playing Barbie and Ken, but a handful of other people will play versions of the same character. Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ncuti Gatwa and Scott Evans are playing variations of Ken, while the likes of Dua Lipa, Emma Mackey, Alexandra Shipp, Kate McKinnon, Hari Nef and more are playing variations of Barbie. The posters give a glimpse of each of the characters and there seems to be a hidden message in all of them. While all the women seem to play a version of Barbie doll with a specific profession, the male actors seem to just play Ken. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BARBIE (@barbiethemovie) × View this post on Instagram A post shared by BARBIE (@barbiethemovie) × View this post on Instagram A post shared by BARBIE (@barbiethemovie) × The character posters also provide a first look at Helen Mirren as the narrator, Will Ferrell as a Mattel CEO and Michael Cera as Allan. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BARBIE (@barbiethemovie) × While the entire cast has now been unveiled, the plot of Barbie still remains under wraps. Several media reports state that the film will have Robbie and Gosling’s characters stumbling into the real world Barbie opens in theaters worldwide on July 21.

Barbie character posters unveiled: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, Dua Lipa feature as Barbie and Ken

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