I've got to say that the Barbenheimer marketing strategy has proven to be nothing short of genius. I was always going to see "Oppenheimer" but "Barbie" not so much. Without knowing anything about it I'd already labelled it as a brash kids movie. A typical Ken move.

Still the marketing got me and praise be for that. "Barbie" is an absolute riot, a real fever dream that gets its point across with considerable finesse and charm. I certainly didn't find it to be heavy-handed in either the first or second half.

And what halves they are! The first hour is just a rush of pink and songs and clothes and dreams. The creators of the film just dial everything to the maximum and go all in on Barbieland. And it shows. It's all just so spot on.

In the second hour the real world intrudes and actually that works well too. Ken finds himself, everything changes in Barbieland and the only way back involves both Barbie and Ken growing as people.

I especially enjoyed the moments that highlighted the absurdity of women trying to meet high and directly conflicting standards in the modern world. Even as a guy this message resonated.

But I also enjoyed the insane dance sequences, the absurd songs, the in-jokes and really just about all of the aspects of "Barbie". It hits the mark which is quite some compliment for a movie built around a globally marketed doll. Well done I say!