To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken.

For in-depth thoughts on Barbie, please see my colleague Brandon Lewis’s review from its original theatrical release here.

Video Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Barbie offers a dazzling viewing experience, but the size of the upgrade is difficult to tell without an accompanying Blu-Ray in the package. Skin tones appear very natural (to the intended look of the characters) with crisp detail apparent on faces such as pores and plenty of makeup. The increased range of the color spectrum is stunning to behold. The HDR10 enriches the colors with a vibrancy that is out of this world in all aspects. One of the most fun aspects of this movie is all of the eye-popping costumes which are presented with a rich nuance. The bright lighting in Barbieland also really makes an impact within every different space.

Black levels are especially strong in this presentation, staying deep and inky with tremendous detail. The highlights in the film are perfectly defined with whites stable and balanced with no instances of blooming to be found. Elements taking place in any shadowy corner of Mattel are more vivid and finely delineated. This 4K UHD presentation thrives on all fronts including strong showings in color and clarity. Warner Bros. has delivered another miraculous transfer on this latest 4K release.

Audio Quality

This disc comes equipped with a fabulous Dolby Atmos presentation that enchants from beginning to end. From the opening moments of Helen Mirren’s narration, this track is set to deliver an expansive experience suitable for such a spectacular world. Dialogue is presented perfectly clearly without ever being trampled by any of the competing sonic elements. The low end is engaged favorably when it comes to some of the more active sequences in the story.

Music is key to the identity of this film, and it permeates the room with a warmth and stability befitting the narrative. Sounds are appropriately rendered with flawless directionality from the more rollicking dance numbers to the exchanges of dialogue. Ambient details fill the speakers in quite satisfying ways in the rear and overhead channels. The overhead channels complement the supporting channels rather than carry the main load, which adds a nice sense of space to the mix. The track will be a fun time for all with a good home theater system.

Special Features

It’s A Weird World: A five-minute featurette that puts a spotlight on Weird Barbie played by Kate McKinnon including why it was so important to introduce this concept into the film, why Kate was the right person to play the role, the friendship between Kate and Greta Gerwig, and more.

All-Star Barbie Party: A five-minute look at the talented ensemble brought together to populate this world including some of the cameo appearances, the atmosphere on set, and more.

Musical Make-Believe: A nine-minute exploration of the music and dance numbers within the film including the new tunes from Mark Ronson, the rehearsal, the climactic fight, and more that is broken down in great detail.

Becoming Barbie: A six-and-a-half-minute look at the way in which this creative team determined the different looks of Barbie, the hair and makeup, the costumes, and more.

Welcome To Barbie Land: A 12-minute look at the incredible sets constructed for Barbieland, the authentic artificiality, the care that was put into all of the minor details, the different shades of pink, what happens when Ken takes over, and more.

Playing Dress-Up – An Extended Look at the Costumes of Barbie: A nearly eight-minute look at the multitude of costumes, the influences from diff

Final Thoughts

Barbie is a film that should not work. When you think about a major studio churning out a Barbie movie in the modern era, there is next to no chance that it does not come off as much more than a commercial for the doll to make some quick cash. Yet, when you hire Greta Gerwig to helm your movie, you obviously are going to get much more than that. That there is such a clear rebuke of the patriarchy woven into the DNA of the script is surprising – the fact that it has become one of the studio’s biggest films of all time is nearly unfathomable. The script is cutting, yet it is always hilarious in a way that is not alienating to the men in the audience. The performances from Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are pitch-perfect, and the remainder of the ensemble matches them beat for beat. This movie is something unexpected and special, and we wish more studios would take big swings like this. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a sparkling A/V presentation and a fine assortment of special features. Highly Recommended

Barbie is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.