Oppenheimer

PROS: Most of the movie elements would belong in this category. The cinematography, production, costume design, acting, script and soundtrack are all on point to offer a deeply immersive experience. Thematically speaking, the beginning of this movie spurred the question "why did Nolan choose Oppenheimer?" in my mind. I read nothing about Nolan's interest in Oppenheimer, yet the beginning of the film, as well as later sequences, gives the idea that Nolan himself connected deeply with Oppenheimer's character to the extent where the movie, while remaining an Oppenheimer biopic, also feels like Nolan is deconstructing himself. There are thematic elements regarding that perspective that i found were very similar to themes explored in Asteroid City. When i say that this movie was the most Nolan of the Nolan films, it's certainly due to his usual temporally scattered story structure. The movie aggressively time skips and shifts perspectives RELENTLESSLY...which makes it even more impressive that Nolan managed to make the time skipping seamless and easy to follow. Structurally, i'd say this is one of Nolan's most complex films, i would even say on Memento level. There are too many positives to say about this movie, so i'll just say go watch it and see for yourself.

CONS: Not much here, but there were a few (imo) weaker elements which i found could have been better had it not been for Nolan's obstinance of doing things a certain way. The first element that comes to mind is the first sex scene with Cillian and Florence Pugh's characters. The scene really felt...out of place and even obligatory in a way. It makes me think that Nolan doesn't really "know" how to write sex scenes, since this scene is essentially pointless. I understand that its purpose was to show Oppenheimer's womanizer side, yet the scarce chemistry (while being intentional) between the actors during the scene just feels jarring, and the inclusion of the staple Bhagavad Gita quote said by Oppenheimer during the scene felt laughable. The other main complaint i have, and this one is kind of a petty one, is that the nuclear explosion shown during the Trinity test sequence...is just a very big conventional explosion. I understand that Nolan was restricted in what he could do due to his insistence for using practical effects, but i honestly think that if proper CGI was used to make a more accurate replica of what a nuclear explosion would look like in that instance, it would have hit a little harder in relation to the type of weapon of mass destruction they had just built. Gas/fuel-based explosions have a very distinct look, which is very obvious if you've watched a lot of different types of explosions, and to me, seeing a gas explosion took me out for a second as i was expecting something more...poignant. That being said, the sequence itself is beautifully done and had me completely hooked.

PROS: Most of the movie elements would belong in this category. The cinematography, production, costume design, acting, script and soundtrack are all on point to offer a deeply immersive experience. Thematically speaking, the beginning of this movie spurred the question "why did Nolan choose Oppenheimer?" in my mind. I read nothing about Nolan's interest in Oppenheimer, yet the beginning of the film, as well as later sequences, gives the idea that Nolan himself connected deeply with Oppenheimer's character to the extent where the movie, while remaining an Oppenheimer biopic, also feels like Nolan is deconstructing himself. There are thematic elements regarding that perspective that i found were very similar to themes explored in Asteroid City. When i say that this movie was the most Nolan of the Nolan films, it's certainly due to his usual temporally scattered story structure. The movie aggressively time skips and shifts perspectives RELENTLESSLY...which makes it even more impressive that Nolan managed to make the time skipping seamless and easy to follow. Structurally, i'd say this is one of Nolan's most complex films, i would even say on Memento level. There are too many positives to say about this movie, so i'll just say go watch it and see for yourself.

CONS: Not much here, but there were a few (imo) weaker elements which i found could have been better had it not been for Nolan's obstinance of doing things a certain way. The first element that comes to mind is the first sex scene with Cillian and Florence Pugh's characters. The scene really felt...out of place and even obligatory in a way. It makes me think that Nolan doesn't really "know" how to write sex scenes, since this scene is essentially pointless. I understand that its purpose was to show Oppenheimer's womanizer side, yet the scarce chemistry (while being intentional) between the actors during the scene just feels jarring, and the inclusion of the staple Bhagavad Gita quote said by Oppenheimer during the scene felt laughable. The other main complaint i have, and this one is kind of a petty one, is that the nuclear explosion shown during the Trinity test sequence...is just a very big conventional explosion. I understand that Nolan was restricted in what he could do due to his insistence for using practical effects, but i honestly think that if proper CGI was used to make a more accurate replica of what a nuclear explosion would look like in that instance, it would have hit a little harder in relation to the type of weapon of mass destruction they had just built. Gas/fuel-based explosions have a very distinct look, which is very obvious if you've watched a lot of different types of explosions, and to me, seeing a gas explosion took me out for a second as i was expecting something more...poignant. That being said, the sequence itself is beautifully done and had me completely hooked.