The 3-hour runtime for Oppenheimer flies by owing to the impeccable performances from Cillian Murphy to Robert Downey Jr. (RDJ), according to early raving critics’ reaction to Christopher Nolan‘s biopic. It’s first viewing at the Paris premiere is not short of praises as many call it an Oscar contender and brand it the Tenet director’s magnum opus. Here’s what film reporters that were present for the screening had to say about the historical epic’s sound design, visuals, pacing & overall experience.
For starters, Nolan fans can rest assured the sound mix for Oppenheimer is audible, unlike Tenet. Collider’s Steven Weintraub said, “I understood everything”. The background score was composed by Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson, who also scored Tenet. Several other critics like Total Film’s Matt Maytum also spoke highly of the “startling sound design”.
Similarly, critics are largely praising the crew behind-the-scenes, particularly Hoyte Van Hoytema‘s camera work that played a pivotal role in executing Nolan’s vision with this complex storytelling. Many of the Paris premiere attendees are insisting to watch the historical drama in IMAX 70mm for the full experience.
Nolan had earlier stated the crew developed interesting analog methods for the biopic. Hoyte van Hoytema was more delighted by the new analog methods, speaking highly of filming quantum physics sequences with IMAX cameras.
Christopher Nolan’s #Oppenheimer is fantastic – big & bold w/ electrifying performances & an incredibly visceral pacing to it. It’s both quietly intimate & also a ferocious moviegoing experience at the same time. See it in IMAX 70mm & it’ll be among your favorite watches of 2023 pic.twitter.com/GAZWiPEgFW
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) July 11, 2023
#Oppenheimer left me stunned: a character study on the grandest scale, with a sublime central performance by Cillian Murphy. An epic historical drama but with a distinctly Nolan sensibility: the tension, structure, sense of scale, startling sound design, remarkable visuals. Wow
— Matt Maytum (@mattmaytum) July 11, 2023
#ChristopherNolan's #Oppenheimer is incredible. Every aspect of the film is worth talking about from the brilliant performances, to #HoytevanHoytema's amazing work behind the camera, to the way Nolan tells the story. The 3 hour run time flies by. See it in @IMAX 70mm if you can. pic.twitter.com/8mPVJGALKu
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) July 11, 2023
Christopher Nolan’s #Oppenheimer is truly a spectacular achievement, in its truthful, concise adaptation, inventive storytelling and nuanced performances from Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon and the many, many others involved —- some just for a scene.
— Lindsey Bahr (@ldbahr) July 11, 2023
#Oppenheimer left me stunned: a character study on the grandest scale, with a sublime central performance by Cillian Murphy. An epic historical drama but with a distinctly Nolan sensibility: the tension, structure, sense of scale, startling sound design, remarkable visuals. Wow
— Matt Maytum (@mattmaytum) July 11, 2023
#Oppenheimer is powerful stuff. Cillian Murphy’s flawless awards worthy performance is next level. Every player in this rich ensemble cast is at the top of their game. Christopher Nolan’s haunting opus is remarkable and Hoyte van Hoytema‘s execution of his vision is breathtaking. pic.twitter.com/oRFAVM64Kg
— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) July 11, 2023
Story-wise, the chilling retelling of the tragic events of World War II is being categorized as “stunning and scary” as Comicbook’s Brandon Davis wrote. While the film addresses the invention of the Atomic bomb exploring the Manhattan Project – it still appears to be a “character study on the grandest scale” notes critics Matt Maytum.
From Emily Blunt to Matt Damon – the entire star-studded ensemble has been commended for their nuanced performance but going by reactions – it is fair to say Cillian Murphy and RDJ’s acting were the highlight of the 3-hour feature. A few of the cast members’ roles seem to be very brief, “some just for a scene” says AP film writer Lindsey Bahr.
With Barbie also securing critical acclaim – audiences are in for a double-feature treat. While Margot Robbie and Murphy have supported Barbenheimer – Nolan is displeased over Warner Bros. releasing Barbie on the same day as Nolan’s flick though the studio was also reportedly trying to make amends with the auteur filmmaker.
#Oppenheimer is my film of the year.
Christopher Nolan makes 3 hours fly in stunning form. Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. are incredibly strong.
The story is chilling in the tragic sense of World War II’s lack of humanity and on intimate human levels.
Stunning and scary. pic.twitter.com/TkxJeGfd5E
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) July 11, 2023
I think #Oppenheimer is Nolan’s JFK. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE JFK. Cillian Murphy mesmerizes in a star-studded moral quandary about Scientific Theory becoming deadly fact. The entire cast is outstanding, and while the history is DENSE, it’s Nolan’s most streamlined and accessible. pic.twitter.com/S8B2wAgzEb
— Sean O'Connell (@Sean_OConnell) July 11, 2023
Christopher Nolan's #Oppenheimer is an immense achievement and his best movie in over a decade. It's stunning how immersive (and accurate) the film is with its history—as it is ultimately disturbing due to its implications for our world and future. See it on the biggest screen.
— David Crow (@DCrowsNest) July 11, 2023
#Oppenheimer is staggering in every sense of the word. Might sound nuts to say this about a Chris Nolan movie that isn't INCEPTION, DUNKIRK, or even TENET, but this could be his most formally daring work yet. Sharp script, impeccable sound design, and Cillian Murphy is a *force*
— Jeremy Mathai (@Somthin_Tookish) July 11, 2023
#OPPENHEIMER may be Nolan's masterpiece. A chilling, galvanizing spectacle anchored by astounding performances. Cillian Murphy transforms into the destroyer of worlds while Matt Damon's Dick Shitless brings charming levity. This is a *movie* movie and a definite Oscar contender
— Ben Mekler (@benmekler) July 11, 2023
Totally absorbed in OPPENHEIMER, a dense, talkie, tense film partly about the bomb, mostly about how doomed we are. Happy summer! Murphy is good, but the support essential: Damon, Downey Jr & Ehrenreich even bring gags. An audacious, inventive, complex film to rattle its audience
— Jonathan Dean (@JonathanDean_) July 11, 2023
Oppenheimer arrives in theaters on July 21.
