I’ll admit that this is the last scenario the entertainment industry would want. Not because these titles are bad, they’re not, but because each release cuts into the attention of the other two. However, since no one could negotiate release date changes, perhaps it’s best to talk about my hopes for them. Because I’m interested in all three. And I’ll start with Oppenheimer.
Oppenheimer didn’t need much advertising. That’s because it’s a Christopher Nolan movie that’s over 3 hours and uses black-and-white IMAX footage for parts of its runtime. Centring on the granddaddy of The Atomic Bomb, Robert Oppenheimer, the movie’s about the time period leading up to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It’s also Nolan’s second WWII movie, after Dunkirk in 2017. I thought Dunkirk was okay, but I’m the person who also considers Nolan’s Batman trilogy his best work.
Despite the trailers revealing little about the movie proper, I hope the film delves into Oppenheimer’s mindset pre/post-creation of said bombs. It’d be great to see how his genius is manipulated by The US government, as well as how it drains him. I know emotion isn’t Nolan’s forte, his movies are usually heavily-calculated, but it’d be interesting to see something different there. Basically, think The Wind Rises without the sentimentality. It’d definitely be new for Nolan.
Another aspect I’m curious about is the movie’s practical effects. Nolan’s no stranger to CGI, he uses it for crowd shots, but he prides himself on practical perfectionism. The bombs exploding, in particular, will have to be sold to me, given how expensive it’d be to do them without computers. Then again, I’m of the opinion that CGI isn’t inherently a problem, contrary to what many would claim. But that’s for another day…
That said, I’m worried about this being a vanity exercise. Christopher Nolan’s last few movies have gotten bigger in ambition and budget, and it’s been a mixed-bag qualitatively. On one hand, a bigger scope allows him to flex his IMAX prowess, and that’s made him a better filmmaker overall. On the other hand, his ambition often comes with a lack of focus, made obvious with Interstellar and Tenet. Oppenheimer, judging by reviews, appears to not have this problem, but looks can be deceiving.
One last concern involves casting. It’s a problem with Hollywood generally, but I’m not a fan of downplaying Oppenheimer’s Jewishness. It may seem secondary, but the real Oppenheimer would’ve been offended that he and his Jewish scientists, many of them refugees from Nazi Europe, aren’t acknowledged as such. The easy remedy would’ve been casting Oppenheimer with a Jewish actor, but it’s too late now. I’m still bummed, though.
Moving on to the other big movie, there’s Barbie. This wasn’t initially on my radar. After all, it’s based on a toy that wasn’t meant for me, and it’s directed by someone who hasn’t appealed to me prior. Barbie also had the potential to be a lazy cash-in on nostalgia, but it’s been getting excellent reviews. I guess that shows how I should never underestimate an IP? Being a comedy helps…
The selling point is its wackiness. The first trailer paid homage to 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the follow-up trailer sold me on its sincere silliness. If the actual movie keeps that energy, I guarantee it’ll be on-par with The LEGO Movie. I already see it doing that, I won’t lie. It merely has to follow-through.
Speaking of trailers, the jokes in there alone have me sold. Barbie having flat-feet? Check. Barbie contemplating mortality during a dance sequence? Check. Ken and Barbie getting arrested? Probably the funniest part.
This manic, nonsensical energy the movie’s striving for is a step in the right direction. It helps that Will Ferrell’s the big baddie. Say what you will about his comedy, but Ferrell’s strength lies in villains. He was the best part of The LEGO Movie, and I’m hoping that translates to this film. He was born to play stereotypical CEOs!
I also hope that the movie broaches Girlboss Feminism. For as much as Barbie was a feminist icon in the 40’s and 50’s, showing that it was possible to enter the “man’s realm”, the core conceit of her is no longer profound. Add in that Barbie’s physique has led to many eating disorders, and it’d be great if this movie addressed the unintended consequences of its own IP. I’m sure it’ll pull it off, especially given the director, but I’m hoping it does so earnestly.
Most of all, I hope the movie’s fun. And I hope it’s funny! The jokes might not land all the time, but that’s the downside of comedies. Especially when they have so many jokes, often simultaneously. I can’t fault this movie for failing constant bullseyes, but I’d be content with enough jokes landing. That’s the sign of a comedy clicking.
The “under the radar” release, and the only video game, is Pikmin 4. Despite the 10-year gap since its predecessor, Nintendo’s been overhyping this game since its announcement last year. It’s strange because the Pikmin franchise has never been a big-name, despite having a dedicated fanbase. So its fourth mainline entry being hyped like this is odd. Still, as someone who’s beaten and enjoyed every entry save the first, I’m more excited for this than the movies.
It helps that I’ve already played the demo, courtesy of The Nintendo Switch eShop. It’s an appetizer for the game proper, even though it transfers your save data, but what little I’ve played I’m in-love with. I especially love the inclusion of Oatchi. Oatchi’s my favourite new addition, and his presence makes for additional puzzle solving absent in previous games. He’s also a good boy, and really cute!
I also like the different Pikmin. This game brings back all seven species from prior games, and it introduces two new ones. I haven’t played the nighttime sections, though I hear they’re fun, but the Ice Pikmin are already impressive. My only gripe is that you’re capped with the number of Pikmin you can have on the field, but that’s easily forgiven with the ability to move your Onion to various locations. That’s pretty cool.
The biggest selling point, aside from being able to play at night, is traversing homes and backyards now. The planet of PNF404 was always hinted to be Earth, and this game confirms it. It also now has everything to-scale, further emphasizing how scary this world is. After all, what are the odds that you’ll be squished by a human? Definitely not impossible!
There’s so much I can mention. Like how Oatchi’s skills are upgradable. Or how massive the maps are. Or even the Dandori Battles this game introduces! But that wouldn’t do the game justice. There’s too much to talk about here, and unlike Oppenheimer and Barbie, both of which I won’t get to see right away, this is something I’ll have access to immediately. I can’t wait!
That’s about it for the “Barminheimer” train. Let me know which of these you’re most-looking forward to, and I’ll see you next time!
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