Initial Reactions for 'Oppenheimer' Praise Christopher Nolan Calling It His "Most Impressive Work Yet"

Christopher Nolan‘s upcoming film, Oppenheimer is considered one of the most highly anticipated films of the summer. Universal Pictures bet on the summer blockbuster is slated to hit theaters worldwide this month. The atomic bomb epic had its world premiere even in Paris and the initial reactions are in for the nearly-three hour long drama.

Film critics around the world appear to give Oppenheimer multiple thumbs up, praising Nolan and the cast. Kenneth Turan who wrote for The Los Angeles Times went as far as stating that this film is “arguably Nolan’s most impressive work yet in the way it combines his acknowledged visual mastery with one of the deepest character dives in recent American cinema.” Other critics like deputy editor of Total Film Matt Maytum said that the film left him “stunned.” Commenting on the actors’ performances he said, “It’s] 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.” Another critic even added that Emily Blunt is deserving of a supporting actress nomination at the Oscars.

Oppenheimer features a star-studded cast that includes Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Rami Malek, Benny Safdie, Michael Angarano and Josh Hartnett alongside Blunt and Murphy. The film is based on the 2005 novel American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, chronicling the time when theoretical physicist and Manhattan Project leader J. Robert Oppenheimer became the father of the atomic bomb.

Oppenheimer opens in theaters on July 21.

I had the good fortune to spend time with Christopher Nolan talking about the exceptional 'Oppenheimer,' arguably his most impressive film to date. Here's what he had to say. https://t.co/snr8b1GbSR

— Kenneth Turan (@KennethTuran) July 12, 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

It’s hard to talk about something as dense as this in something as silly as a tweet or thread but Oppenheimer really is a serious, philosophical, adult drama that’s as tense and exciting as Dunkirk. And the big moment – THAT MOMENT – is awe inspiring.

— Lindsey Bahr (@ldbahr) July 11, 2023

So many years after seeing that opening shot of The Dark Knight in IMAX at CityWalk and not understanding what I was seeing on a technical level but feeling it, I feel very lucky to have seen Oppenheimer in 70mm IMAX. A once in a lifetime experience.

— Lindsey Bahr (@ldbahr) July 11, 2023

The downside? The women are badly served – Emily Blunt only once gets out of her stressed mother role. But it’s straight into my Nolan top three, alongside Memento & The Prestige

— Jonathan Dean (@JonathanDean_) July 11, 2023

Cillian is what you'd expect (not a read, he's very good), but this is Robert Downey, Jr'.s moment. RDJ is so good in Oppenheimer it makes you sad this is his 1st on-screen work in 5 years. It's time to work w/ the likes of Joon-Ho, Jenkins, Campion & Ostluds @RobertDowneyJr (2) pic.twitter.com/LJLi2EhtP2

— Gregory Ellwood – The Playlist 🎬 (@TheGregoryE) July 11, 2023

I do not say this lightly, but Ludwig Göransson's score is an utter masterpiece on its own. Also heard the album will be an hour-and-a-half-long album. And, yes, we're talking a lot of nominations (assuming box office is strong). Is it Chris Nolan's best film? Pondering (4)

— Gregory Ellwood – The Playlist 🎬 (@TheGregoryE) July 11, 2023

And for all those who’ve groused about the lack of sex in Christopher Nolan’s earlier work…boy oh BOY, are you getting some sex as only Nolan could stage it in this one

— Robbie Collin (@robbiereviews) July 11, 2023

OPPENHEIMER is…incredible. The word that keeps coming to mind is "fearsome." A relentlessly paced, insanely detailed, intricate historical drama that builds and builds and builds until Nolan brings the hammer down in the most astonishing, shattering way.

— Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) July 11, 2023

A sign that French audiences loved #Oppenheimer is that they stayed in front of the Grand Rex theater long after the film ended to debate about it!

— Elsa Keslassy (@ElsaKeslassy) July 11, 2023

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