Barbie & Kendra Save the Tiger King

Barbie & Kendra Save the Tiger King is an exciting yet quirky independent film released in 2020, directed by Charles Band, and written by Kent Roudebush. It is produced through Full Moon Features studio and lasts for 72 minutes, giving us a delicious slice of fun. The cast includes talent such as Patrick Bristow, William Butler, Cody Renee Cameron, and Russell Coker, all fully committed to bringing listeners an eccentric yet engaging tale.

This movie is the second in the Corona Zombies series following the original Corona Zombies film, focusing on the adventures of two unorthodox heroines - Barbie and Kendra. Our heroines are embodied by Cody Renee Cameron and Robin Sydney respectively. The girls first took on the coronavirus in the first film, and this time, they are ready to face an even bigger and wilder challenge, the much-hyped Tiger King.

This film adopts a playful, satirical approach to a culturally significant character, the Tiger King himself. Patrick Bristow excellently impersonates Joe Exotic, named Carole in the film, capturing his eclectic eccentricities with precision. His energetic performance combined with his uncanny resemblance to the real Joe makes the portrayal a spectacle worth viewing.

The narrative, veritably, is based on the popular Netflix documentary series, "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness," which chronicles the life and trials of zookeeper Joe Exotic. But, be warned, Band's project is not a straightforward rehash of reality. Instead, it amplifies the unreasonable aspects of the Tiger King’s reality to create an hilarious distorted mirror image.

Barbie and Kendra, the indisputable heroes of the film, embarked on this extraordinary and unlikely rescue mission after watching a 'Tiger King' news broadcast on their television during the lockdown. Equipped with only their guts, wit, and Barbie's step-father's police scanner, they set out to save the king from an impending danger that only they seem capable of perceiving.

The film’s humor relies heavily on the full immersion of the actresses in the behavior of uninformed yet ardent Instagram influencers. Cody Renee Cameron's portrayal of Barbie is delightfully ditzy while maintaining the steadfast determination of a hero. Robin Sydney as Kendra perfectly matches her in every respect; both ladies managing to construct a pair of wonderfully weird protagonists.

The chemistry between the principal actresses, Cameron and Sydney, is undeniably strong. They effortlessly light up the screen and maintain control over the high-energy pace of the show. Their banter, fueled by a blend of zany wit and fascinating pop culture references, keeps the viewers hooked. Meanwhile, the appearance of Bristow as Carole Baskin jams even more comedic elements into the plot.

Like the Tiger King series, this movie is filled with larger-than-life characters, outrageous costumes, and a 'truth-is-stranger-than-fiction' narrative that only adds to its charm. However, unlike its source materials, it intentionally presents a distinct parallel universe filled with absurdities, creating a sense of unanticipated suspense that makes the entire viewing experience incredibly engaging.

The meta-level flavor of the film is also worth noting. Director Band successfully stitches together a patchwork of public domain footage and cannibalized clips from his own production company’s back catalog. For instance, one scene might cut into Barbie’s favorite reality TV show, before jumping to a completely unrelated scene from a 1992 monster-comedy that has been redubbed with new dialogues.

The film is a satire throughout, guaranteeing to tickle the viewer's funny bone, but also makes some critical commentaries on internet culture and media obsession. The satire is not limited to the central plot; it extends to the broader reality of the 21st-century's social-network-led universe, giving the audience a mirror to look at ourselves, our fascinations, and our follies.

In conclusion, Barbie & Kendra Save the Tiger King is not your typical rescue mission. Packed with humor, action, and eccentricities of a unique kind, this movie succeeds in transforming a ridiculous concept into an enthralling narrative, proving once again that anything is possible in the world of cinema. This film is a unique take on pop culture phenomena and is an enjoyable diversion for those who appreciate ironic, satirical humor.