Alright, let’s do it. Let’s talk about Barbenheimer.

I review movies on this blog. Mainly just horror movies. But I wanted to switch it up today and talk about the movie event of the summer. Barbenheimer.

If you don’t know, Barbie and Oppenheimer are 2 movies. They came out in July. They came out on the same day. They’ve created the biggest opening weekend of the summer and one of the biggest all-time.

I can’t explain why this event happened, but I think it’s important. I think it’s worth talking about on a societal level. And I think it might be the end of something.

I’m gonna take this in the same order I watched the movies. First, let’s get existential. And then, let’s just enjoy the ride.

Some Background (Lucky)

First, I want to point out a few things about the nature of these movies and the audience that watches them.

The whole reason this double-movie event became a big deal is sort of a meme. It’s a joke. Like, “Hey, those movies are completely different. Let’s see them both, back-to-back.” And they are completely different. But they also share similarities. Yes, they’re both blockbusters. Both all-star casts. Incredible, top-10 directors. But I’m talking about similar themes, here.

These movies are about singular characters grappling with their place in the world and what the world is coming to.

Maybe that’s why this happened in the first place. Despite the fact that studios tried to change the Oppenheimer release date, the movies did release on the same date, and now they’re forever linked.

Both have outperformed their box office expectations. But what can we really take away from this whole thing?

Well, audiences should expect more. These are both GOOD movies. Capital-G Good. Passionate directors. Actors giving it their all. Great scripts. Oppenheimer doesn’t even use CGI. We should expect good movies! We shouldn’t choke on the latest Marvel release and drown in terrible CGI for the latest sequel-to-8-sequels.

Yeah, there’s a place for cheap entertainment like that. I get it. But we, as audiences, should expect more. We should expect original content and movies worth the $15 tickets. Because both of these are.

Going Forward (Crisis)

You’re probably wondering, “Are we going to get some terrible attempt to repeat this? Like a… Polly Pocket movie on the same day as a… dark American biopic?”

I mean, yeah. Definitely. We’ll probably get it multiple times.

But on the other hand, this feels like the end of something. Actors and writers are both on strike, and studios are unwilling to be 1% less greedy. Superhero movies aren’t doing well, anymore, and the quality is dropping, too. Movie tickets are more expensive. Everyone has 6 streaming services. Social media platforms, our digital town squares, are fracturing– just look at Twitter under Musk.

So to get the whole culture focused on 1 movie event, like Barbenheimer, is so unlikely. It was really hard to do 10 years ago, and now it seems actually impossible.

I don’t think this signals a “return to theaters.” I think it’s a last-gasp, cultural event by two of the greatest directors of the 21st century. It’s masterful. But it’s also not sustainable.

That’s why it might be the end of something. Whatever that is. The end of movies? No… But it might be the last time we all share something like this.

And isn’t that the point of movies? To share stories?

These stories tell us something about our place in time. Where Barbie dolls and atomic bombs connect. I guess that’s a pretty good synopsis of where we’re at.

The Movies… They’re Good

Alright, now I’ll actually review the movies. Let me start by saying: They’re worth watching! Go see them in theaters, if you can afford it! Yes, it’s expensive. But there’s something about sitting in a packed room and watching it on the big screen. I think we’ve forgotten since Covid, and I think we’ve gotten lazy, but it’s worth the car ride and the $15 tickets. At least… these are.

Oppenheimer– 8.5/10

All this for a 8.5/10 movie? Seriously?

Yeah, seriously. The first 2 hours are incredible and gripping. The last hour is a slight letdown, but it’s impactful. Christopher Nolan got A+ performances out of so many actors. This movie just feels important and it’s such a theater movie, a spectacle. It might be an 9 in theaters, but I fear once it’s out it won’t be quite as impactful.

The story is really interesting. And the character development in Oppenheimer is what carries the movie. This is a real story. There’s growth and change. Cillian Murphy is unbelievably good. Give this dude some awards. Plus it has an amazing soundtrack. Like one of the best I’ve heard.

My main negative note: There are way too many “court” scenes. Even the movie’s finale is in a mini-courtroom, and I could’ve used about 20 minutes less. Give me characters! Not lawyers! And a more explosive ending. I would’ve given this a 9.5 with those changes, honestly.

I also would’ve liked some more time in the town they set up, because it was scratching my creepy itch.

I loved seeing all the familiar actors. I don’t even know many actors, and I recognized… like… fifteen!

Barbie–9/10

This is the correct order to watch these movies. Barbie basically wipes away the dread from Oppenheimer right away. The opening scene is actually a pretty fitting transition from World War 2 America to Barbieland. (I’m not sure I ever thought I’d type that sentence.)

This is a movie that loves women and it’s for women. Anyone saying it’s anti-men is just wrong. And probably looking for reasons to be upset. It literally has a good message for men, too, but this movie doesn’t cater to them. Not every movie needs to cater to men and the male gaze. I’m glad this doesn’t.

This movie is about women. There’s a monologue toward the end that actually hits powerfully. And it’s something every person can relate to.

The acting is better than Oppenheimer at times, actually. It’s incredibly and surprisingly touching. Absurd and hilarious. Lots of small jokes throughout. I honestly think it could’ve been longer, which I never say about a comedy. But this isn’t just a comedy.

If it was, it wouldn’t work. It would be a soulless cash grab. It would be like a Transformers movie.

Instead, this movie is about growing up and staying young. It’s not a comedy. It’s a funny movie, sure. But it’s something more than that.

If you’re only going to watch one of the two, watch this one. But I’d suggest you watch both. They’re both very informative about our place in history and the state of “movies.”

What did you think? Let me know in the comments!