Wang Tao Zi’s review published on Letterboxd:
"They won't fear it, until they understand it. And they won't understand it, until they've used it."
First things first, I would like to express my gratitude to God 🙏🏻 because on my birthday on July 22nd 🥳🎂 I'm still given the health and opportunity to be able to watch great works like this film. Oppenheimer is one of the most anticipated films by many people (including me), because I was interested to see what Christopher Nolan would and could do with a biopic about an important figure who may have been/isn't widely known in history. As a result, Oppenheimer is not just a film, but an experience. Nolan brings a new way to watch biographical films that is unlike anything you've seen before in this genre, bringing the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer to the big screen in an unforgettable way. It's just not everyone's cup of tea, but if you're willing to invest your time and attention, you'll be rewarded with a film that will enrich your mind.
The film managed to get me fully invested into it, grabbed me by the neck and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time despite the film being 3 hours long. From start to finish, the film managed to captivates me with its dialogues, cinematography, and stunning sound design that enhances the entire film-going experience.
Watching a Nolan film in theaters is always an experience of a lifetime and he truly stands by his word of how these films should be seen on the big screen. But I should point out that this film may not have the same level of action sequences as most of Nolan's films, because it is less of an action and more of a political thriller filled with a heavy flow of dialogue, endless exposition, as well as many faces and names to memorize. This is a film that engages the mind and emotions.
This requires your full attention and focus, as it can easily slip past inattentive viewers. Moreover, Nolan still maintains his signature storytelling style with a non-linear narrative by going back and forth to and from different time periods, only this time his approach is simpler and the story itself is a completely straightforward tale. And Oppenheimer probably has the most dialog I've ever seen in a Nolan film. Dialogues that represent the politics, dilemmas, disagreements, and scientific discussions behind The Trinity Test💣.
Let's talk a little bit about who "J. Robert Oppenheimer" is, the titular character in this film. J. Robert Oppenheimer, often referred to as the "father of the atomic bomb💣", was a renowned physicist and a key figure in the development of the atomic bomb. He played a pivotal role in the Manhattan Project (the United States' top-secret initiative during World War II to develop the first atomic bomb). Oppenheimer's contributions to the Manhattan Project were instrumental in the successful development of the atomic bomb, which ultimately led to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Now Oppenheimer's involvement in the project and his subsequent views on the use of nuclear weapons pose ethical and moral dilemmas. This is where Nolan will take us into the complexity of Oppenheimer, and all the moral dilemma that stirred within him as his actions altered the trajectory of the world forever (for better or worse). And it's told with shifts between color and black-and-white that represent a shift in perspective. The color sequences are labeled as "Fission", while the black-and-white sections are labeled as "Fusion".
The film shines when it turns to the psychological elements that focus on Oppenheimer, witnessing the sacrifices he makes for the sake of scientific advancement and the repercussions of his actions and how they affected him personally. Just look at the scene when Oppenheimer feeling guilty during his speech after the bombing in Japan, easily one of the most haunting and gut-wrenching moments in the film.
Christopher Nolan's directing prowess shines through in every scene. He manages to seamlessly blend history, science, and this time 'emotion' into it. It also remains as gripping as ever, creating a sense of tension that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the film. The Trinity Test was the highlight of the film 💣🧨💥. It's so nervewrecking, haunting, and felt so real. The use of practical effects, practical sets and stunning visuals add to the level of realism. The entire build-up to the detonation is incredibly intense, and when they press that round red button there is an immediate silence. The silence that is in reality so deafening, that it feels like the entire audience was holding their breath. Images of various explosions, accompanied by carefully orchestrated music and sound effects, creates an intense visual and auditory experience. Filmmaking at its finest 🤯.
But that's not to say Oppenheimer is flawless. I felt there was something incomplete about the pacing and portrayal in this film, it felt like some scenes were too long and dominated other aspects of the story that should have gotten more screen-time. Not to mention the non-linear timeline that is sometimes hard to follow due to fast-paced switching, too many characters coming in and out, the script that feels too dense in some parts, and the continuous time changes will make some audience a little tired to follow it. But if you're used to it, it shouldn't be a problem. So I highly recommend watching this film when you are fit, not tired, and need to be focused.
When it comes to acting, the cast is as outstanding as you'd expect. Cillian Murphy's portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer is simply mesmerizing. I've been a fan of Cillian Murphy for years thanks to his portrayal of Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders, and finally this time he finally got his stage in the world of cinema.
Cillian Murphy delivers a wide-ranging and emotionally engaging performance that highlights the moral dilemma Oppenheimer faces. He effortlessly captures the scientist's inner turmoil through his facial expressions and the look in his eyes, torn between his loyalty to his country and the ethical implications of developing such a devastating weapon. The fear, the excitement, the enthusiasm, the pressure, and the guilt I could really feel how much of a burden he was carrying. I couldn't have picked a better actor to play Oppenheimer 👏👏👏.
But what really surprised me was Robert Downey fucking Jr 🛐. Yep, RDJ wasn't lying when he said that it was the best film he's ever been in. I dare say that this is the best performance of his career so far, he manages to shed his charismatic and iconic personality as Iron Man, displaying an incredible range in bringing intensity and seriousness.
Emily Blunt in my opinion also fits the role perfectly, although I wish her character could be explored more deeply. Florence Pugh's character was perhaps not what I expected, she wasn't able to showcase her amazing performance as we are used to see it as her screen-time was very short, and the drama was not well presented yet so impactful.
In the end, some may argue that Oppenheimer is Nolan's greatest work, but I still think that the genius of Inception or Memento are still unbeaten as his finest creations. But Oppenheimer remains one of Nolan's top and best works (maybe top 3 or 4, I'm not sure yet), as it is his most grounded, most tender, mature yet less pretentious film with a captivating blend of thought-provoking themes and compelling storytelling, which left me contemplating its implications long after the credits rolled. The film challenges audience to reflect on the consequences of scientific advances and the choices people make at critical moments in history. This has been one of the most immersive experiences I've had at the cinema 📽🎬.
Can't wait to see Barbie next 💅🎀💕🌈💋🍭💄. Thank you for those who took the time to read this overly long review📝✌🏻.
