By John Corrado

Please note that this is a review of the Blu-ray release of Barbie. For my full thoughts on the film itself, you can read my original review right here.

After becoming the highest grossing movie of the year in theatres over the summer (including getting a boost from the Barbenheimer phenomenon), Warner Bros. has now released director Greta Gerwig’s Barbie on physical media.

Gerwig’s ingenious film take on the classic doll imagines a Barbie Land where Barbie (played by Margot Robbie) begins to have an existential crisis, and ventures into the real world with love interest Ken (Ryan Gosling).

The wonder of Gerwig’s film is in how she takes what could have been a simple toy movie and crafts it into a story about identity with some surprising layers, that is both incredibly entertaining and also has a genuine emotional core.

The film’s colourful production design and costumes are a visual delight, and it’s carried by Robbie’s wonderful portrayal of Barbie and Gosling’s scene-stealing comic performance as Ken. This is not only the biggest movie of the year but also one of the best, with Gerwig working in clever social commentary and a number of classic film homages. It’s one that, going forward, will benefit from repeat viewings at home and become a staple of many home libraries.

Film Rating: ★★★½ (out of 4)

Bonus Features (Blu-ray):

The Blu-ray also includes six very solid and enjoyable featurettes on the production. A code for a digital copy is also included in the package, which ships with a slipcover.

• It’s a Weird World (5 minutes, 3 seconds): Focuses on coming up with the look for Kate McKinnon’s Weird Barbie, and the other outcasts in the film.

• All-Star Barbie Party (4 minutes, 57 seconds): A look at casting all of the film’s different Barbies, Kens, and various other roles.

• Musical Make-Believe (9 minutes, 11 seconds): Takes us behind the scenes of the film’s musical numbers, with Gerwig noting early on that she wanted to capture the feeling of old soundstage musicals (including paying elaborate tribute to the “dream ballet” from Singin’ in the Rain).

• Becoming Barbie (6 minutes, 29 seconds): Examines the different looks and hairstyles for Robbie’s Stereotypical Barbie.

• Welcome to Barbie Land (12 minutes, 1 seconds): Dives into the production design of the film, the practical sets, use of pink, and classic film techniques that were used.

• Playing Dress-Up: An Extended Look at the Costumes of Barbie (7 minutes, 27 seconds): Looks at designing the different costumes in the film, modelled after actual Barbie clothes.

Barbie is a Warner Bros. Home Entertainment release. It’s 114 minutes and rated PG.

Street Date: October 17th, 2023