Oh, the joys of summer. Long beach days, refreshing ice cream, and some of the best cinema Hollywood can offer. As some of the biggest production companies save their superior works for the hottest season of the year, the result is often a battle between two very different realms of film. This year’s top competitors: the pink and sparkly “Barbie” world against the “Oppenheimer” World War II set biopic. Even in a time clouded by strikes among writers and actors, the two releases proved to be too alluring to miss as ticket sales skyrocketed. Since both films reached new levels of success post-pandemic, experts predicted the biggest dogfight since last year’s showdown between “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Elvis.” Consequently, the battle of Barbenheimer swiftly began in its fight for the Warriors’ stamp of approval.
As biographical movies have been on the rise, many movie-goers have tired from the typical retelling of a musician’s rise and fall from fame, and have begun to hope for a unique story. Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” seemed to be the perfect candidate, and fans sped to the theaters to see Cillian Murphy’s depiction of the historical character faster than brand-new drivers could leave the NAHS parking deck. One such example is junior Mason Rathore, who could not wait to see Nolan’s new movie. “‘Oppenheimer’ is one of my favorites and is definitely a peak film,” he said. “It was so good that I had to see it a second time.”
Although somber films can be thought-provoking and create some of the best film experiences, everyone needs a little bit of pink in their lives. Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” highlighted the ideal ‘Barbie-land’ in contrast to the ominous and busy real world, which created a wonderful combination of an idealistic utopia while also addressing the emotional reality of growing up as a woman. Junior Rhys Wills was fascinated by Gerwig’s use of humor and emotional scenes to create an enjoyable experience for the viewer. “The movie was very real and not fabricated,” she said. “I felt like Margot Robbie’s portrayal really showed what it’s like to be a girl in modern society.”
With such a strong movie lineup this summer, many fans had trouble choosing their favorite. Understandably, it can be difficult to fairly compare a humorous but vulnerable utopia to a historical retelling of the origin of the atomic bomb. Junior Brie Richardson felt that both films brought out an emotional reaction from herself and other filmgoers. “I loved both, but I’m not sure how to compare them,” she said. “It’s funny to me that two films with such contrasting structures both had such an effect on me.”
As theaters continue to sell out showtimes, one conclusion is clear: “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” have both made waves in an ever-changing film industry. As for the Dubs, there is one final question: Will the NAHS favorite be Margot Robbie’s real-life “Barbie” or the wonderfully immersive “Oppenheimer”?
