Barbie (2023)

Set in Barbieland, where women are in positions of power like president and professions like doctor and lawyer while the men idly spend their time on the beach and depend on the women for their identity. But when Stereotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie) suddenly has thoughts of death, gets cellulite and flat feet, she must find the root of the problem and go into the real world and find the child who is playing with her. Based on the Barbie fashion dolls created by Mattel and co-written (with Noah Baumbach) and directed by Greta Gerwig (LADY BIRD). The clever and often complex structure of the screenplay subverts pre-conceived ideas of the Barbie universe. While giving due regard to the iconic Mattel doll, Gerwig fearlessly deconstructs the sociological impact of the Barbie phenomenon and its impact on little girls. One has to give kudos to Mattel for their sense of humor (and no doubt the publicity and financial benefits the movie will reap) as Gerwig pokes at the negative (and some  if fewer positive) aspects of their creation. Robbie's Barbie and Ryan Gosling's Ken are impeccably played with a fine supporting turn by America Ferrera who gives a speech that should get applause. The incredible art direction (Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer) and costumes (Jacqueline Duran) should be shoo ins for Oscar nominations. There's already talk of a sequel, sadly inevitable, but unnecessary. Everything that needed to be said has been said and done to perfection. With Kate McKinnon, Will Ferrell, Rhea Perlman, Michael Cera, Simu Liu, Issa Rae and Helen Mirren doing narration duties.