The new comedy writing the hit comedy Bridesmaids together, Wiig and Mumolo reunited to write and star together in this movie.
Certainly, Barb and Star is a very different movie than Bridesmaids but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It still delivers the laughs, but can it top what Wiig and Mumolo were able to achieve with their first Oscar-nominated film? Have a look at how the two comedies compare.
Better: The Friendship
Barb and Star is a lot of things, but at the center of it, it's a buddy comedy. As with any buddy comedy, the success of the movie hinges on the central duo. Luckily, Barb and Star are instantly classic characters, and their friendship is hilarious and touching as soon as they're introduced.
Bridesmaids also has a solid friendship at its center between Annie and Lillian, but the real focus is on Annie and how Lillian's wedding is putting a strain on her own life. In of watching two best friends having the time of their lives, there's no beating Barb and Star.
Falls Short: Wiig's Performance
Again, Wiig is sharing the spotlight in this movie while she was front-and-center in Bridesmaids as Annie. It was her first big starring role and instantly proved that she had what it took to carry a movie and showed that, despite all the crazy characters she performed on Saturday Night Live, she was a very good actor.
Barb and Star allows Wiig to go back to those kinds of wacky characters she does so well, but her performance in Bridesmaids is a much more complex one. She hits those comedic beats wonderfully, but she is also fantastic in the dramatic moments.
Better: Wiig And Mumolo
Annie Mumolo has appeared on several hit shows over the years along with writing a few movies, but most audiences probably won't recognize her as much as they do Wiig. However, Mumolo did appear in Bridesmaids in a small role as the nervous flyer sitting next to Wiig's character on the plane.
As funny as the two were in that small scene together, Barb and Star allows them to show just how great of a comedic team they are. The two actors play off each other so perfectly and their performances are what really make the movie work.
Falls Short: Romance
Jamie Doran has a great ing role in Barb and Star as Edgar, the man also vacationing in Vista Del Mar who becomes Star's love interest in the story. The romance is mostly played for laughs though it does have a few touching moments.
However, the romance at the center of Bridesmaids is much more effective. While the movie is about Annie's best friend getting married, she also develops a budding relationship with a charming cop named Rhodes. It's a very funny relationship but one that the audience becomes a lot more invested in.
Better: Musical Numbers
The marketing for Barb and Star has been surprisingly secretive, so fans might be surprised to learn that there are a number of musical numbers in the movie. Bridesmaids has one or two smaller music moments, but Barb and Star really embraces the full-blown sequences.
As unexpected as these moments are, they are very welcome. They add one more layer to this wild comedy that is filled with wonderful madness.
Falls Short: The Story
It is clear that nothing in Barb and Star should be taken seriously at all. The whole thing is this madcap adventure where anything can happen and audiences are just supposed to sit back and have a fun time.
Bridesmaids certainly has the fun energy going for it, but it's more than just a raunchy comedy. The movie is incredibly well-written and has a lot of heart to it. Annie's journey is one that is easy to root for. It avoids cliches or predictability while successfully delivering a feel-good story.
Better: The Absurdity
Nothing could have prepared viewers for just how weird of a movie Barb and Star really is. Wiig and Mumolo really should be praised for creating something that is so drastically different from Bridesmaids and embracing their most absurd comedic tastes.
Despite the infamous diarrhea scene, Bridesmaids goes for a more grounded and subtle sense of humor. There is nothing grounded nor subtle about Barb and Star and the movie is better for it. It takes a lot of talent to make a vacation comedy with a plot involving killer mosquitos.
Falls Short: Cringe Comedy
While Bridesmaids' humor might not be outlandish as Barb and Star, it does do a great job with its cringe-comedy. It is tricky to find the right balance with cringe-comedy between making audiences squirm but not so uncomfortable that they can't laugh.
So much of the humor in Bridesmaids is the result of Annie's increasingly embarrassing blunders. From the engagement party toast to the wedding dress mishap to the airplane scene, it would be hard to watch if it were not so hilarious.
Better: Pure Fun
Both of these movies succeed in being incredibly fun. However, Barb and Star has an energy that few movies are able to pull off. Perhaps thanks to its zany sense of humor, the movie feels so light and is just a joy to watch.
Bridesmaids has already established its reputation as a comedy great and one of the best of the 21st century. While it's too early to tell what Barb and Star's reputation will be, it feels like it will be the kind of movie fans will revisit again and again whenever they need a feel-good comedy.
Falls Short: The Ensemble
As great as Barb and Star are as a central duo, it's impossible to deny the fun of the ensemble of actors in Bridesmaids. Even with Wiig in the lead role, there is still plenty of room for the other hilarious women.
It is a testament to the writing as well as the cast that each of these women is able to stand out in the large cast. Melissa McCarthy had her breakout role in the movie, Ellie Kemper is charmingly hilarious, and Rose Byrne is the unsung hero of the piece. It is a joy watching these great comedic actors sharing the screen together.
