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Greta Gerwig’s Barbie Trailer: The Stars Shine Bright

Photo: courtesy Warner Bros.

If you’ve ever wondered if Margot Robbie’s stardom would translate to a live-action adaptation of Barbie, it shouldn’t take much more than the new teaser trailer from Warner Bros, released earlier today, to convince you the stars are shining bright.

Barbie, the third film from actor-writer-director Greta Gerwig, cowritten with Noah Baumbach, and featuring an all-star cast including Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Ariana Greenblatt, Will Ferrell, Helen Mirren, Michael Cera, and Emma Mackey, will be released in theaters July 21, 2023.

Barbie marks Gerwig’s follow-up to her two Oscar-nominated films Lady Bird (2017) and Little Women (2019). Cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto brings his seasoned eye behind the camera to the unique visual look of Barbie, and composer Alexander Desplat reunites with Gerwig for their second consecutive collaboration together.

Oscar nominees Robbie and Gerwig take on the lead roles of Barbie and Ken, seeking a balance between dramatic and comedic tones set in the trailers thus far. Filling out the cast are everyone from dramatic screen icons, comedy stars, and even pop stars (Hello, Dua Lipa!)

“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” reads the logline for Barbie. The cast/characters list suggests most of the cast may be playing different versions of Barbie and Ken!? The playful jams of The Beach Boys hit “Fun, Fun, Fun” reverb throughout the extended teaser, setting the tone of bright beach scenes and potential ensemble dance/musical moments.

The visual look of the trailer expands on what has already been shown in previous trailers and stills. Pinks, blues, and yellows pop off the screen to highlight that this is indeed Barbie’s world, and we the audience are in it. “Did you bring your rollerblades?” asks Barbie. “I literally go no where without them!” This tongue-in-cheek exchange between Barbie and Ken is set within all of that visual palette. Given the introspective writing talents of team Gerwig/Baumbach, I’m sure we’ll see some black comedy spill out within this fantasy play land and maybe not-so-perfect world.

Barbie and Ken in Greta Gerwig'd Barbie film
Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie in Barbie. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

The supporting cast surrounds the leads with a mix of the serious and hilarious. Helen Mirren provides the narration. Will Ferrell is the CEO of Mattel. Emma Mackey, Emerald Fennell, Dua Lipa, Issa Rae, and Kate McKinnon are also listed as “Barbie” in the credits. At least four actors are also casted as “Ken.” Often times Ken and Barbie appear empty-headed or confused about their life is about. But the audience may indeed be taken down a trip of existential crisis as all these characters navigate their colorful world. In the hands of Gerwig and Baumbach, Robbie and Gosling, Barbie should provide moviegoes some colorful, star-studded mid-summer fun.

Written by Seth Lamey

Film Studies graduate from Winona State University. Cinema management experience and multimedia film criticism/analysis work.

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