Oppenheimer - Review 

Despite it being 3 hours, and dialogue heavy, I was never once bored. I was engrossed from beginning to end. What a great movie. The sound design, cinematography, acting, all phenomenal.

Very few things have brought me as much joy as seeing this supposed Barbie-Oppenheimer stand off turn into Barbenheimer fever. It would have been so easy for there to be so much tiresome acrimony, instead it feels like everyone is excited for everything. And instead of crowding each other out, the two movies are lifting each other up. If you love movies, this phenomena is just so great to see.

I saw it projected 70mm imax last night and it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. The amount of emotions conveyed just on Cillian Murphy’s face is worth the price of admission. After being really disappointed by Tenet, this was an incredible return to form for Nolan in my view. Also, I have him to thank in more ways than one, as he personally paid to fix the projector at my local theater so that it could play the full film print, and it was nothing short of breathtaking.

"Much like the atomic bomb, the danger of this film isn't just the blast, but the fallout." - what a clever observation and articulation of the power of this movie! Great writing, @Dan Murrell!

Very much enjoyed it. I do think this will finally break Robert Downey Jr. away from the Iron Man character and we see him for what he is which is a great actor. Best Supporting Actor nomination incoming.

I went to a 7pm Thursday night in 70mm in Denver for Oppenheimer. The theater was absolutely packed. The multiplex was busy with people for both films. It felt like precovid

Knowing Dan's issues with Nolan movies off late, this is just unbelievable. I don't know how I am going to keep my expectations in check now. I agree with Dan's criticisms of Nolan movies lately, although I still end up liking the movies, but I always understood where he was coming from. But the fact that this is Dan's favorite of the year so far is just making me want to go see this movie right now. Tomorrow cannot come sooner!

Love seeing Cillian Murphy front and centre. It feels like he's been right on the cusp of greatness for decades but it was always just out of his grasp. I hope this brings him the recognition he deserves.

Cillian Murphy absolutely nailed it in this film. The tone and pacing along with both the pensive nature of later Oppenheimer and the charisma of early Oppenheimer were absolutely spot-on. Absolutely incredible.

I was interested to read that Christopher Nolan credited an ultimately abandoned biopic he was going to do about Howard Hughes with Jim Carrey as Hughes was what gave him the necessary experience to do a biopic like Oppenheimer. The Hughes biopic was abandoned because Martin Scorcese, of course, beat him to it with The Aviator.

I’m sorry…….. Dan is engaged to a Nuclear Scientist???? Bruh that’s like the coolest thing I’ve ever heard

Oppenheimer is a beautiful and fantastic move. The acting, makeup, bgm, photography etc are superb. Nobody would feel 3 hours passing. Cillian Murphy is a complete actor.

Haunting is a good word for a lot of moments in this movie. The last few minutes where we see the full context of the conversation Oppenheimer had with Einstein by the pond as was partially shown from a different perspective earlier on in the movie really got me.

Just saw Oppenheimer last night, easily my favorite film of the year and easily my favorite Nolan film since inception. Beautifully designed, shot , superbly acted , all around excellent

Great review Dan, and also it's so fantastic to see a great channel grow from 20k to verging on 150k subs. You're one of the few critics/boxoffice analysts on youtube that cares about their craft, puts in the time and research and delivers a consistently engaging and entertaining show. Here's hoping your channel grows to reflect the quality of your output.

The way Oppenheimer dealt with the trauma of it all was epic

So I was never really a Cinema guy but I made myself try and watch new films in theatres nowadays and it's changed my movie watching experience for the better. Watched Oppenheimer in a Dolby Atmos theatre and being bombarded by the Sound Design of that movie felt really good. It sucked me in. The Imitation Game and Arrival are one of my most beloved films and this one gave me similar vibes. It just made me so happy afterwards, that final scene from Cillian Murphy was the perfect way to end it. I manually made myself a double feature and watched Barbie and Oppenheimer on the same day and I am going to sleep extremely content.

Love the running CEO shade. Pay the workers

Thanks for calling out Universal with their bs in the beginning. Made me laugh lol

I watch Dan's videos not just to see if I should watch a movie, but to enjoy Dan's analysis and opinions. It's a delight.

Dan be flexing hard on us with the good old "my girlfriend is a nuclear scientist" line. 🤣

Apparently, Oppenheimer wasn't for me, though I like most of Nolan's other films (#1 Memento). For the first time in my life I even left the cinema before the end of the movie. I'll give it another try in a couple of months.

Loving this consistent shade towards the studios when reviewing movies, to support the workers strikes. I look forward to seeing the different ways you’ll phrase it in all your reviews until we see progress. Definitely looking forward to seeing this movie, I’ve been meaning to watch the recent Oppenheimer documentary but I didn’t want to spoil the movie for myself 😅🤦‍♀️

Pure cinematic artistry

Huge Nolan fan, and I do really love his string of “flawed masterpieces” because there’s nothing quite like a creative genius pushing himself beyond his limitations. It’s hard to disagree that Oppenheimer feels like the culmination of honing his skills, but at the same time, I have a hard time knowing where to place it in my personal list of “favorite” Nolan films, just because big, bombastic adventure films are more “fun” than pensive, contemplative dramas. All in all, this film was just a phenomenal example of perfectly executing lofty goals, and I hope that because it is more technically “perfect” than his previous films, that Nolan will finally get some recognition come Oscar season.

A seriously stunning movie, and I do mean stunning. My jaw was dropped for large portions of the film and I was left with a visceral, physical reaction to many different scenes

My husband, Arch Crawford, met Dr. Oppenheimer when he was a physics student at the Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC in 1961 and visiting speaker, Dr. O., spoke with a hand-full of students standing in front of the physics building for 20-30 minutes in the afternoon. That evening he spoke with a couple of hundred, including the public and the press.

I’m totally Barbie-fied for tonight but Dan’s review of Oppenheimer has only made me more excited to see this movie as well!

I’m doing Barbenheimer this weekend all because of you, Dan. I really didn’t want to see Oppenheimer in theaters but now I am.

Mara is a nuclear scientist?!?! 🤯🤯 If I remember correctly, I think Dan also mentioned once that she served in the military or something. This is so cool. He is engaged to a badass 😲

I am blown away by this movie. Incredible acting form Cillian Murphy and RDJ. I am seeing many Oscars in next year Oscars for Oppenhimer. I’m rewatching it on Sunday. This is that good of the movie.

I had a wonderful experience seeing it this morning in 70mm IMAX. And every seat was filled. Technically speaking, it was by far the most impressive presentation of a film I’ve ever seen. The performances, the editing, everything was on point. Particularly Christopher Nolan’s screenplay. I think this is Nolan’s best script. And definitely features his best/most complex dialogue. The sound mix at Indianapolis State museum where I saw it was perfect. The dialogue was always discernible and clear.

As someone who did the double feature, I can confirm there was some insane genre whiplash.

Once again, what a delight of eloquence, well-mannered passion and respect for the industry and the craft. It's always a pleasure to watch your videos, Dan.

The dialogue was dense as hell, full of unecessary expositions, and had far too many characters to keep track of. Oppenheimer is easily Nolan's worst movie ever made to-date.

This movie didn't feel 3 hours long. And I watched late at night, after Barbie. Packed theater, not even a yawn from me. However, I felt that there were some parts that weren't develop enough, like there was something missing, that was left on the cutting room floor. Like Florence Pugh's character, for instance. Reading about the real story afterwards (cause that's what a good movie makes you do), Jean seemed way more important in his life than it was portrayed. His wife too. Some of the physicists as well, like Feynman, barely get any screen time. But yes, overall, it's a great cinematic achievement, will go head to head with Dune on those technical Oscars. And Cillian and RDJ seem like front-runners already for actor and supporting actor.

Dan throwing shade at studios is my new favourite thing!! 👏 👏

Super excited going with friends on Tuesday for the complete Barbenheimer experience.

Finally got a chance to watch this - WHAT. A. MASTERPIECE! 😮 I was amazed by the way the story was told, cried in a few places, and actually cheered when Strauss got his just dessert. This is definitely Nolan’s best film and takes the best use of his non-linear storytelling style and cinematic tendencies. I absolutely loved it

You explaining how the film left you exhausted was my experience with Interstellar. Say what you want about that movie, but the theatrical experience that movie provided was unforgettable.

The film was great, I say as a physicist. But I can understand that someone who does not know all of these names and their work might get easily confused. there is also a younger generation that has never heard of those events, those will be completely lost.

I think the risks of these films worked because of the established IP and director of "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" respectively. If "Barbie" hadn't had the IP or if "Oppenheimer" was directed by a lesser known director, we're not having "Barbenheimer" lol But to be fair, you do have to start somewhere when it comes to originality and it's better than nothing.

Thank you for the review! I am looking forward to this movie! I teach History and his story is very intriguing. I even made a short 5 minute video about him for my students. Nolan did a great job with Dunkirk. Happy to share. It is not a review of the movie, it more gives some historical content for anyone who wants some background before or after the movie.

It has been said that the scenes in black and white where use to the events they were accurate depictions, and the color ones where the interpretations, the way Oppenheimer view things and how he felt.

Fantastic movie. I did find the time-jumping confusing and for me it was a little too long but the cinematography and the score were breathtaking, as well as the acting. Definitely one of the best movies to come out this year, although it can’t replace Spiderverse for me. That movie was epic and I absolutely loved everything about it.

Just saw it in IMAX and was absolutely blown away. Riveting.

Rdj was a true standout for me in this movie. But every character was really compelling and like wow

Dan, I saw the 1st showing at 5pm ET last night at the Dolby Cinema at AMC. GREAT REVIEW! And I am SO HAPPY you brought up how at times, the score overtakes the dialogue!!!! It wasn't often, but easily 5 scenes where the score overtook the dialogue and I couldn't make out what was being said. You're the only one I've seen mention it, so thank you!.... I always see the 1st showings on Thursday's and when I came up the escalator at 4:40pm, I was floored! Had to be 75 people walking around btwn the snack bar, the bar itself, and 7 ppl sitting down who got their early to eat before BARBIE at 6pm.

I just left the theater, I think I'm gonna go see it again some time next week. While I wasn't bored or disengaged, I feel like the movie kind of passed me by before the test. There were so many different men in similar suits with names mentioned once or twice, it was hard to keep up. But oh boy, after the test I was spellbound. The context of what Oppenheimer's hearing was about & Strauss' relevation gave me the tools to re-evaluate everything I had seen so far. I think I'll appreciate the movie even more on second watch.

I think this movie is going to win some serious hardware at Academy Awards.

I have a feeling not many people will talk about it as much considering there are clearly two performances that are shined more than others (Murphy and RDJ), but if there is one actor who I felt put in for a 3rd best performance that should be recognized it's Jason Clark. He did so well to lay out the tension and atmosphere of the job that his character was placed in. So ya I just wanted to point that out, he's a great actor! In terms of the movie itself, I think the first 10 or so minutes are a little messy and then the 2nd sex scene in the film I honestly thought was so out of place from a filmmaking perspective. Don't quite understand that decision. Other than that, the rest of the movie is perfect from head to toe. Acting, music, writing, editing, cinematography, directing, and the tension. My god, the lead up to the moment of the bomb was so perfectly done I felt my heart sinking into my chest.

Oppenheimer is much like Schindler’s List in my eyes. The same way Schindler’s List was a turning point for Steven Spielberg in his filmography, I feel is what will happen with Christopher Nolan. It’s a movie that I believe will horrify but also inspire people with a message for today’s generation. Nuclear weapons are made to protect us but are also made to destroy us and I think Oppenheimer was the best representation of that fear and assurance. The amount of excitement I have for what Nolan has planned next is intense and grand just like this very movie. I’ve got two words for this movie. BEST. PICTURE.

Can't wait for the Barbenheimer Charts with Dan

Very thoughtful review. I thoroughly enjoyed both Barbie and Oppenheimer. My wife and I saw Barbie on Saturday and Oppenheimer in IMAX yesterday. The best movie weekend experience I have had in a very long time. I agree with everything you said about focus groups and studios underestimating audience intelligence. Keep up the great work!

Congrats on being engaged! For me the last ambitious movie I saw on Cinema was Godzilla vs Kong

This is my first time enjoying your RU-vid channel. Great content! Looking forward to hearing more from you! Your video was so informative. Thank you so much!

Can't Wait to see it!! Don't forget the other "Surprise" Summer Hit: An absolutely bonkers animated film about a black superhero skipping around the multiverse that I really need to see about a dozen more times. And this year's original Summer Hit: A superhero team up movie that made me openly sob in the theater at least three times because of the gripping backstory and redefinition of what friendship and love means. I'm SO happy they are making the cash!

So happy to see Robert Downey Jr out of the MCU again. He was a great Iron Man, but he’s so much more than that as an actor. Excited to see him in more movies. Would love to see him team up with Shane Black again. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is still one of my favorites.

Im seeing this in Imax on Sunday and usually my local Imax theatre is near empty, but I literally got the last seat for my showing. I can't believe the popularity of this, I'm so excited!

Great review Dan, And keep hammering away on the studios, love it.

Dan one of your best reviews. Ambition, novelty, excitement. You weave a delicate thread of reviewing a spoiler free film, connecting current events to films (current SAG-AFTRA), expressing sincerity and optimism for films you agree/disagree, and still engage the listener. 🎥🎬🎞️ Thank you, Dan!

Just walked out of a packed 10:30am showing. 3 hrs where my eyes and mind were glued to the screen. This is a Nolan masterpiece.

On point as usual! I just saw an 11:15AM show (non-IMAX) and it was either sold out or a couple seats from being sold out so here's hoping it exceeds expectations.

Great review! Congratulations on your engagement ✨

I hope this gets us more bio-epics. Oppenheimer and people like him were real life superheroes

My anticipation for Dan's review approaches the same level as seeing the IMAX screening this weekend. 11:15 Same here. Every IMAX showing this weekend is nearly fully booked in my neck of the woods. The last time that happened was Avengers Endgame.

My favorite Scene was when we finally know what Oppenheimer said to Einstein. I almost got chills.

This is the first movie that truly made me appreciate black and white as a medium. As an artist, I know the power of black and white, greyscale, but on a still medium you can really get a lot more out of these nuances. I never disliked black and white on motion picture, I just have always found it somewhat inferior in impact value relative to still. Oppenheimer took the glory of still image greyscale, and perfectly implemented into motion picture. All it took was a sprinkle of Nolan certified ambition.

This upcoming weekend in film makes my heart so happy. It really showcases so much artistry and love for cinema. I absolutely am counting down the seconds until I can see Oppenheimer

My guy… you’re on point! I just subscribed. I like you’re enthusiasm and realism!

I heard that because there's only one bomb scene, combined with Nolan's instance on not using CGI, the Trinity test was extremely disappointing... People said it just looks like a close up of fire burning, and that's it. I get being artsy or trying not to focus on the bomb, but this feels like a missed opportunity to really get people to feel the real impact & power of that weapons. And sometimes, CGI is a good thing. If practical effects can't deliver a legit nuke detonation (obviously), then use the tools that can get you closest to it.

Yes! I just got out of the theatre. That is definitely the best movie I saw this year. Didn't feel the 3 hours go by. I had to see what Dan had to say about it and I agree with every word. Being a science guy myself, I didn't find the technical dialogue hard but it's not like it's the main subject of the movie so people shouldn't be hesitant about it. Definitely a recommendation 👍

Saw the movie last night and I have mixed feelings about it. While I agree with Dan that the acting from everyone involved is absolutely phenomenal the time jumps are a little hard to follow at first and take some getting used to. However one area I was really disappointed with was the Trinity test. They really built up the tension leading to the test to a heart pounding level. But having seen the actual Trinity test footage many many times the explosion shown in the movie was really not much more than what you’d see in a RU-vid video of someone detonating powdered non-dairy creamer. It really failed to show the scale and power of the bomb. I think he was trying to have us experience the test accurately and in real time, hence the huge stretch of silence between the detonation flash and the blast wave hitting, which I do give him massive credit for. However from the director that brought us Inception and that amazing black hole in Interstellar the low key nature of the visuals of the worlds first atomic explosion is almost unforgivable. Overall though it was an excellent movie.

I really appreciate the studio call outs at the beginning of these videos

My Oppenheimer experience on a Thursday was the same. A packed theater. What was impressive was walking out of the theater. Because it was the Oppenheimer crowd, along with the Barbie crowd all dressed up in support. Someone even had a pink early 90s mustang convertible parked out front. With a bunch of girls and women stopping to take selfies either going to their car, or walking towards the theater.

I feel so many people saying this movie is Nolan's best film because it's relatively easy to understand (even though it's a non-linear storytelling - which is a Nolan staple)! 🤷‍♂ Don't get me wrong, this is a GREAT film but it's not Nolan's best to me. And it's also too long...felt more like a 4 hours movie instead of 3!!!

Was really disappointed with this film. As a biopic I don’t feel I have any more understanding of Oppenheimer. All I got out of it is that Oppenheimer is more of a theory man, had ties with communists but wasn’t overtly one, and had two wives. Yeah he seemed a bit remorseful for creating the bomb, but I didn’t see how those regrets really effected his life. I felt the dialogue was really hard to hear at times ( like most Nolan films) the editing and pacing was very choppy, and I think the vendetta Strauss had against Oppenheimer was VERY poorly explained. Like ok Oppenheimer might lose his security clearance but WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? What is he losing out on with that, and why is it so important that it’s the climax of the film and not the trinity tests or the bombing of Japan. The actual nuke itself was also pretty underwhelming. Would’ve been a much better film if it focused more on the logistics and struggles of figuring out the atom bomb, the race between the us and Germany( yes I know it comes up but it should’ve been THE central motivating force) the bombing of Japan ( actually show the horror of what happened instead of a very brief illusion) and then end it with how the affected Oppenheimer and go more into depth on the process of his opinions changing or him being more vocal on his opposition to the bombs. Strauss was a waste of time at least how he was used as well as the focus on Oppenheimer’s first wife which felt entirely pointless. Not to mention the casting was INSANELY distracting. I kept getting taken out of the film because every 30 seconds I was noticing a bigger named actor playing VERY minor roles. So yeah I think I’m in the minority but I’m really confused on all the love this is getting. This and Tenant have both been pretty big misses as someone who’s loved basically all of Nolan’s other films

I’m telling you… 3PM Friday afternoon in a theater in Birmingham, Alabama and only the 1st 2 rows were empty. Packed. And OPPENHEIMER is Brilliant!

I actually think people flocking to Oppenheimer and barbie is not taking risks like you think. This is a Nolan movie. People show up for Nolan no matter what. And barbie isn't surprising since it is using nostalgia to put butts in seats.

Your the man Dan! Nothing to do with the movie I just love your channel and your passion for the film industry! Need more people like you on RU-vid

Saw Barbie at 10:30pm last night. Got my IMAX 70MM ticket for Oppenheimer today at 3PM. Can’t wait!

The review that I was waiting for, thanks!

nolan wasn't practicing all these years with his films, he was training us the viewers for this film.

This is how you do a movie review and give Mara a well deserved praise 😊🎉. This movie gripped me from start to finish. I was tired at the start of the movie and it was like a shot expresso. And even though it kept going, every seen had a sense of intrigue and a connecting thread. With that said. This will do better on streaming and will be one of, if not the greatest documentary made to film.

I went to a 70mm IMAX screening, you’re right about haunting. I walked out in a daze, I kept thinking about it the rest of the day

Thanks for the review Dan. I'm going to see this Saturday afternoon.

I haven't been to an actual movie theatre since the first Infinity War movie, but I'm already planning on going and seeing both of these movies next week. I'm excited for them both more than I have been for a movie for quite a while.

I'm usually on board with Dan, but calling a Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie a risk is such a stretch I'm pretty sure he just pulled his hammy. This is definitely a case of someone forcing a narrative.

One thing that was emitted from movie was how Oppenheimer stole land from people who had lived there for centuries, then directly and indirectly led to their deaths. His men went and shot all their cattle, and chased them off their own land.

Love the shade thrown at the studios in every review!

Loved the atmospheric choice during the trinity explosion. The comparatively anticlimactic nature of it (vs. how it was portrayed in ‘Fat Man and Little Boy’) gave me feelings of sadness and disgust rather than magnificence and beauty.

Just came back from the movies. Went to see "Oppenheimer" with my son and my wife. What an awful painful experience! I lost 3 hours of my life on this crap. Overly long, boring, convoluted, chaotic, confusing, with complicated dialogues spit out at lightning speed, a thousand characters whose names and roles you can't remember and too loud sound effects. I thought I was going to die of a brain seizure. First time in my life that I had to take acetaminophen during a screening (I'm not kidding). We let ourselves be influenced by all those incomprehensibly unanimous positive critics and I'd have rather sit on a plank full on nails than watch this 3 hour-long piece of turd. We sat through it just because we don't like to leave a theater before the end and because we hoped it got better but all 3 of us are traumatized now. Terribly bloated overrated flick. Absolutely outrageous.

I noticed the same thing about the Thursday 5pm screening of Oppenheimer at my local 70mm IMAX theater. It was sold-out, which is very rare for a non-superhero film at the same IMAX theater that I go to. Even Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning wasn’t sold-out when I saw the first IMAX screening at 5pm. It’s going to make way more than Mission Impossible did on its opening weekend. Even my dentist said out of the blue this week that he was going to see Oppenheimer this weekend. 😮

Great review. I enjoyed your introduction and conclusion about this movie. Great! Thanks!

Warning! this is a political court room drama with 20 min of stuff on the Manhattan Project and quantum mechanics. the other 2 hrs and 40 min is a court room drama. Nolan brass played over interviews and court proceedings. Great acting, great visuals. Mind numbingly dull movie.

Openheimer was full and everyone was wearing pink for Barbie too. It was the best Thursday 5pm showing I have ever been to

I LOVED dunkirk and loved how it toyed with time and scenes out of order

If things here are any indication both these movies are going to be huge hits. In Australia it's very rare that I have to buy a ticket early even on opening weekend. Movies open here on Thursdays. I just checked and throughout the day and into the night both Barbie and Oppenheimer have sold out sessions all weekend. I never thought I'd see this happen. I'm really looking forward to Charts to see what the box office looks like.

Thank you for another great review and I love how your approaching your reviews with the strikes going on by calling out the studios and their BS.

I'll be honest, Oppenheimer just wasn't for me.