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7

TVJerryMay 5, 2021

Kristen Wiig joins Annie Mumolo (her co-writer from Bridesmaids) to create the titular characters. They’re extremely dizzy, chipper best friends from the Midwest who travel to Florida for a vacation. Meanwhile, there’s a plot to end theirKristen Wiig joins Annie Mumolo (her co-writer from Bridesmaids) to create the titular characters. They’re extremely dizzy, chipper best friends from the Midwest who travel to Florida for a vacation. Meanwhile, there’s a plot to end their lives featuring Wiig in a white wig (as the villain) and Jamie Dorman (who’s having great fun in this comic turn). Yes, this feels like an extended SNL sketch, but generally manages to pull of the extended run time and tosses in some minor moments of absurdity. While this film doesn’t come close to their quality of first comedy hit, the wacky energy and scatterbrained characterizations manage to keep it enjoyable.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

greedoinaspeedoMay 5, 2021

Best comedy I’ve seen in ages. Pure, unhinged absurdism. Hardest I’ve laughed in some time.

Destined to be a cult classic. Do it!

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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6

marcmyworksApr 6, 2021

A strange and trippy comedy that seems to be all over the map in terms of what kind of film it wants to be. Overall not bad acting, but not overly funny either.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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8

Stream2BigScreeFeb 20, 2021

Alright, Streamers, we caved! After weeks of seeing these inscrutable teasers and trailers of a new comedy from the gals that brought us Bridesmaids, we broke down and rented Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar. While the promotions for thisAlright, Streamers, we caved! After weeks of seeing these inscrutable teasers and trailers of a new comedy from the gals that brought us Bridesmaids, we broke down and rented Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar. While the promotions for this film hinted at the tone of the comedy, they never gave away really any details of the storyline, even though the title says a lot. It was intriguing enough to get us over the hump of shelling out $19.99 for the rental. Here's whether it was worth your Tubmans.

Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar tells the story of devoted best friends Barb and Star, who have fallen on hard times despite their generally sunny demeanors. Realizing they're stuck in a rut and wanting to shake up their lives, they leave their small Midwestern town to go on vacation in Vista Del Mar, Florida. Hijinks and plot machinations ensue when they encounter a mysterious and dashing stranger at the resort leading to opportunities of adventure, love and the strengthening bonds of friendship. It really is best to go in cold to this movie - it makes it all the more surprising and funny.

Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo star in and co-wrote Barb and Star. Mumolo is Barb, and Wiig is Star. They have such specific characterizations of these middle-aged friends. They finish each other's sentences, they dress alike, they don't lie to each other, and despite their personal difficulties, there is still a joy to their lives even in the smallest things. The chemistry between Mumolo and Wiig is so easy that it infuses the whole film with infectious glee. It's hard not to smile throughout. Jamie Dornan is a surprise here as the mysterious stranger, Edgar. Dornan throws caution to the wind and really finds the vibe of the silly energy that Wiig and Mumolo establish. Dornan really has a great showcase here and I would be surprised if he's not the main take away from this movie. Also, there are some awesome cameos and music throughout.

My only reservation here is that if you are not into ridiculous comedy or that specific Kristen Wiig-y energy, then you may not vibe with Barb and Star. There have been comparisons of this movie to the Austin Powers franchise or 80's comedies like Naked Gun. Those are appropriate, but I'd say Barb and Star is more Powers than Gun. Nevertheless, in these troubled times, a mindless comedy that has an off-kilter point-of-view and a big heart may be just what you need.

Ultimately, Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar is worth the trip. The $19.99 price tag may give you pause, but if you split with a couple friends, then it's like paying for a theater matinee. If you want to give your brain a break and get some big laughs, then this one's worth a big box of popcorn on a rowdy movie night.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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10

MazaoloFeb 13, 2021

Literally insane but I haven’t felt so happy in almost 12 months. If you enjoy feeling happy you’ll love this movie!

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

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7

tropicAcesFeb 13, 2021

I wish I saw this in a theater with a crowd. So gleefully stupid. Really funny.

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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10

jjulianoFeb 12, 2021

This is the kind of movie we needed. Silly, charming, well-filmed, entertaining, and pure escapism.

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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8

flattenedspaceApr 22, 2021

Perfect pandemic viewing if you're looking for mindless silliness. Somewhat subversive if you consider that the main good guys and baddies (and most everyone in between) are middle-aged ladies. That one of them gets the hot guy is even better.

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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10

punaFeb 14, 2021

So cheesy fun. The Over-the-top absurdity we all need today. I want a sequel now! Sure to be a cult classic!

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

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4

lawjefFeb 15, 2021

Quirky does not equal funny. This is the kind of script you would put together with your friends when you are really, really drunk. I am starting to reluctantly realize that maybe K Wig isn't a funny screenwriter after all. Even during aQuirky does not equal funny. This is the kind of script you would put together with your friends when you are really, really drunk. I am starting to reluctantly realize that maybe K Wig isn't a funny screenwriter after all. Even during a pandemic with very few new entertainment options, I could only recommend this boring, uninspired movie to ... honestly I don't know. Maybe really bored people who can relate to some of the story line? Maybe. Stupid, mindless comedies can be very entertaining. But this movie will clearly be relegated to the dust bin of history within a few short weeks. The fact that there are so many 10/10 user scores before wide distribution should be a red flag.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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6

CharliePetersonFeb 20, 2021

Old script,the way they solve the problem is not logical, such as the scene when Barb and Star stand by the cliff,the acting of Jamie Dornan is bad in this film

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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1

ImpeccableTasteFeb 27, 2021

An awful movie run away now if you're thinking Romy and Michelle, or even Bridesmaids.
Think the new Bill and Ted movie unfunny.
Supporting actors, and cameos are horribly used, they don't even get a chance to be funny.

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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1

HealingToolboxApr 24, 2021

I really wanted to like this. Some positive Metacritic reviews. Love Kristen. Was hoping it was a character-driven effort like Cheech and Chong's Next Movie. Production design and color palette are very strong. Otherwise, it's not much ofI really wanted to like this. Some positive Metacritic reviews. Love Kristen. Was hoping it was a character-driven effort like Cheech and Chong's Next Movie. Production design and color palette are very strong. Otherwise, it's not much of anything. Looks like it was a fun time on the set. Rest of movie has no point of view. Wacky for wacky's sake only. Acting is committed; yet, no one either learns nor evolves nor reveals anything meaningful. An empty film about empty characters with no point of view?

There used to be many more movies like this; Twins comes to mind, the later pointless Steve Martin comedies. I guess it's a huge genre: mis-guided, failed modern comedies, well-produced but with nothing to say and only affection for their superficial characters yet no insight into the characters. Other critics have speculated these movies occur when too much money is chasing too few good scripts. This supports the theory.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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3

MetacriticOnurJul 14, 2021

bad
[ bad ]

adjective, worse, worst;(Slang) bad·der, bad·dest for 36.
not good in any manner or degree.

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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2

danielcaseyJul 11, 2021

Wildly unfunny. There’s the constant promise of some sort of comedy that isn’t mayo but it never appears

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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7

RalfbergsNov 24, 2021

I enjoyed it. It of course is a bit silly, but it is meant that way, I mean since it is a comedy and also parody of some stereotypes etc. I enjoyed watching it and while it might not be the greatest comedy you will see, from the newer onesI enjoyed it. It of course is a bit silly, but it is meant that way, I mean since it is a comedy and also parody of some stereotypes etc. I enjoyed watching it and while it might not be the greatest comedy you will see, from the newer ones certainly I liked it… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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7

EugeneFragaAug 8, 2022

Kristen Wiig undoubtedly Hollywoods best female clown since Lucille Ball. A frenzied comedy for discriminating viewers.

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9

Luke9648Jul 24, 2023

I'm an absurdist, so i love this movie. It's ridiculous. Sue me. Not everyone will get it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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5

rmurray847Aug 10, 2023

Since the start of the pandemic, there really haven't been too many straight up comedies. Lots of horror, plenty of indie movies (including some with a "comedic" tough) and loads of dramas. But good, fun, "Friday night date night" comedies?Since the start of the pandemic, there really haven't been too many straight up comedies. Lots of horror, plenty of indie movies (including some with a "comedic" tough) and loads of dramas. But good, fun, "Friday night date night" comedies? Not so much. So along comes BARB AND STAR..., and clearly this movie is not aiming for awards-show glory. Watch the trailer...if what you see amuses you, watch the film. It makes a delightful, bubbly, utterly silly diversion. I DEEPLY appreciate the film for giving me a 100 minute diversion that required me to make no intellectual investment and had two stars that clearly were quite invested in their work. It's a delight to look at, and I felt darn good after watching it. 4.5 stars!!!

BUT, now, two days later, I have to be honest. I was so starved to see a silly comedy, I completely overlooked the fact that much of this movie is a mess. 2.5 stars in a non-COVID world. So let's call it 3.5.

I know, I know...I'm a total party pooper and is it fair to rate the film this way? I've rated all other films I've ever reviewed based on how they struck me when watching. Is it right that I give this one a big asterisk for cheering me up during a dark time? I don't know...but I have to say that the disconnect between my experience watching it and my experience thinking about it later makes me think that I DO need to review based on a bit of reflection.

So, it tells the story of Barb & Star, who live (if memory serves) somewhere in Nebraska, and have roomed together for years, ever since divorces/widowhood. (Their "hometown" scenes were actually filmed in Socorro, NM...which is about 75 minutes down the road from me.) They never desire to move much outside their safe little community, and working at their furniture store. They are frivolous characters, and they are totally fine with that. A shakeup happens in their lives though, and they take the advice of a friend and spring for a vacation in Vista del Mar, Florida, at a painfully brightly colored resort, just to try something new and have a good time. Day One, they meet a handsome, younger Irish man at the bar (Jamie Dornan) who is having a bad day, already drunk, and the 3 have quite a night together. One that most people might have some regrets about the next day. But their relationships blossom from there, in fun but silly ways.

But in the midst of this frivolity is a plot to kill the citizens of Vista del Mar by a super-villain who lives in a lair! (Her primary henchman is Jamie Dornan!) So the two plots converge in ways that take this film from silly to absolutely ridiculous, but not always in a good way.

I was totally fine with the silliness (even though Dornan, game as he is, just never quite seems to capture the tone. His solo song was a highlight of the film, but the rest of the time, I was wishing for a more comedically adept actor). The bright colors. The silly dialogue. The visual jokes. All fine. But then the idea of taking this frothy film, and forcing a "spy plot" onto it only ends up being funny on paper. The actual viewing of the last 15 minutes or so of the film is really deeply unfunny, and ham-fisted and just not interesting. I think they could have taken the basic characters of Barb and Star and put them into a silly film that DIDN'T go off the rails, and would have achieved something really memorable.

Anyway, if you, like me, are craving a film that is set in a world not at all like our own (in the silliest possible way), you should enjoy this film. If you want a "smart" movie...please look elsewhere! Thank you, BARB AND STAR, for cheering me up for an evening. It was kinda like eating a whole box of chocolates, though...I felt some regret the next day.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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