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  • Writer's pictureKell Sharpe

Barbie vs Oppenheimer - What To Watch?



 


On July 21st, 2023, the cinemagoing world will be sent into oblivion as two of the biggest films of the year are set for cinematic release.


Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” vs Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie”.


It goes without saying that both of these movies will be bathed in box office success upon their initial release to the cinematic world, but the question as to which film will gather the mot success, is a question waiting to be answered.


Greta Gerwig brings us the first live-action production of the iconic Barbie doll, brought to life by none other than Australian actress and Academy Award nominee, Margot Robbie.


Robbie is set to be joined by an excellent supporting cast, with huge names such as Will Ferrell, Simu Lui, Emma Mackey, and Michael Cera all on the call sheet. As well as Ryan Gosling set to play the iconic role of Ken.


This Gerwig’s first production back in the directors’ chair since her work on Little Women (2019), which garnered many positive reviews and multiple Oscar nominations.


Gerwig is joined by her partner Noah Baumbach with writing duties for this film. Both artists were Oscar-nominated for their writing talents in 2020 for different movies.


So far, we have received a teaser and official trailer, as well as a range of official character posters that produce a small insight into each character and what part they will play in the movie. In terms of the plot, there is little to know.


But if the impressive cast and crew working behind this film have anything to say on the matter, Barbie is destined for box office success.


I personally feel as though Barbie will have a much more niche audience than Oppenheimer. With the film being based on a kid’s play doll, it wouldn’t be ridiculous to assume that the majority of the audience will be teenage girls and young children.


However, I feel that the movie will be more aimed at older audiences and will mostly associate itself as an adult comedy, along with a solid heart-warming storyline at its centre.


Oppenheimer, on the other hand, is completely at the other end of the spectrum.


This movie revolves around the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a theoretical physicist during the Second World War who has been credited as “The Father of the atomic bomb”.


Quite a title to hold.


Christopher Nolan will be looking to kickstart a solid streak of well-received movies, after the lack of success and praise that Tenet received, partly due to it’s mid-Covid release date. And there is no better opportunity to do so than with Oppenheimer.


Much like Barbie, Oppenheimer contains an exceptional cast and probably takes the edge on this one.


Talented actors such as Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Kenneth Branagh, Gary Oldman and various more are all lead by Cillian Murphy, who takes on the role of Oppenheimer himself.


Just recently, we have received the official trailer for this movie, and it gave audiences just a taste of what they will receive come July 21st.


I struggle to think of a time when a year had two of its largest movies come out on the same day, a day that will send movie lovers into pure madness.


Which film will you be watching first?


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