Joseph A

Overall, atypical arrogance from Christopher Nolan that delivers 3 hours of dry exposition underscored by poor cinematic efforts and a reflection of hyper-Americanism. Squandered an opportunity to explore the depths of the guilt Oppenheimer would’ve had through references to the actual impacts on Japan. Instead, it focuses on the sheer politicking (in a highly dramatised way for a fairly irrelevant cabinet position) surrounding the ordeal. The entire story arc of Downey-Jnr’s character was a waste of time (despite DJnr’s excellent performance). Again in the true Nolan-esque fashion dialogue is impossible to understand (much like the overcomplicated ‘Tenent’) and seemed to get worse with irrelevant musical scores and a breathtaking obsession to infuse random loud sounds perhaps to ensure the audience is awake. At 3 hours long it’s dragged out, anti-climatic and lacks any real meaning or depth aside from the fact that anyone who has gone through high school has known that Mr Oppenheimer had deep regrets of his role in the project itself. Finally, a lack of CGI, which was marketed as a strong point left any semblance of the size of the bomb (a large draw card that audiences would expect) feeling soft. Clearly the budget was spent on having a strong ensemble cast to get through hours (literally) of exposition. A waste of time, effort and energy (though not to be directed at any of the acting who were the only redeeming quality of the film).

This is a great film. Sophie Turner is an excellent choice for the Jean character. Solid foundations, action-packed & great visuals. Character development was a little soft - could’ve spent more time developing the relationships between Jean and “her family”.