Movies with Isaiah: 'Oppenheimer' is haunting, outstanding movie based on man behind atomic bomb

Visionary director Christopher Nolan arrived onto the scene as an unknown in the world of cinema with small and modestly successful films. It was not until he began his take on the "Batman" mythology with his Dark Knight trilogy offerings that he became one of the most sought-out directors in cinema.

Two of my favorite films from his filmography are "Insomnia" and "Inception." Examining his overall catalog of creative outputs, one would have a challenging time finding a weak project from his unique and methodical contributions. Upon hearing Nolan would helm and bring to life a biopic focusing on J. Robert Oppenheimer and his creation of the atomic bomb, immediately I became strongly interested with it because it combines two of my favorite subjects from high school and college, history and science.

Any story in cinematic format offering a unique perspective into both world wars, Nazi Germany and the reign of the Third Reich, the Civil War, Hiroshima and Nagasaki is a film or series I will not ignore. Based on the book "American Prometheus," the film "Oppenheimer" is a chilling and haunting reflection into the mindset of Oppenheimer, exploring the complexity and enormity of how his creation changed the world for better or worse. Packed with an ensemble cast of Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Casey Affleck, Josh Hartnett and Raimi Malek, it combines politics and scientific constructs of the consequential gravity of a nuclear device.

Nolan's style of filmmaking relies more on visual and physical storytelling without the need for endless computer-generated imagery and green screens. He prefers using little to no computer effects, utilizing a more practical style of creativity, set designs and authentic experiences that captivate the audience instead of distract them with mindless visual trickery that does not serve the story in any way. Every piece of exposition or practical effect furthers the story in an innovative and thought-provoking manner.

Murphy's performance as the brilliant, isolated, tormented physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer is one for the ages. He is absolutely one of the most memorable and underrated actors of our lifetime with an assortment of performances that have flown under the radar. If Murphy's work as Oppenheimer is not acknowledged by the Academy Awards for Best Actor, saying it would be a tragedy is an understatement. He fully embodies the role, completely disappearing into the vessel of a brilliant scientific mind gradually realizing his creation has become an actual monster that is very prevalent in the world today. Even more frightening is how Murphy bears a heavy resemblance to the late physicist.

Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss is another highlight as per usual. There has never been a Downey Jr. performance that was mediocre, vanilla or not entertaining. He, much like Murphy, perfected the craft of becoming the living embodiment of the historical figure being portrayed. Another note is the brilliance of Murphy mastering the art of the thousand-yard stare, as if his eyes are piercing the very soul of the individual standing before him in conversation.

"Oppenheimer" is the definitive, perfect marriage of political and scientific unity with Nolan gradually building upon exploring the Manhattan Project/The Trinity Test of the atomic bomb that would detonate over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Racing against time, the United States decides to craft a weapon in response to the threat of Nazi Germany developing the capabilities of successfully creating the same device. There is a vast array of political and scientific dialogue keeping the story interesting and informative and expanding the mind. There is no concern for spoilers, as history has documented the devastation brought upon Hiroshima and Nagasaki when President Harry Truman ordered the detonations in the waning years of World War II.

Nolan's approach to practical effects using minimal computer-generated imagery branched into the innovative technique of capturing the movement of molecules within the structure of an atom. We cannot see atoms with the naked eye nor the combination of the nucleus, neutrons, protons and electrons whirling around the creation itself. It was remarkably interesting viewing how Nolan captured the impossible briefly using IMAX technological methods of seeing the atom on camera. Words cannot describe the beauty of witnessing the impossible.

The dread of waiting for the detonation and the result of the Trinity Test were definitively intense, frightening, chilling, cold and ominous. Rather than using gimmicks and trickery, Nolan had an atomic bomb built for the film, and he captured the moment of detonation for the silver screen. I will say the reality of witnessing such a powerful display of destruction is without a doubt eerie. Films and even past series have often made the display of an atomic bomb glamorous with civilization having a resurgence in record time.

Watching the explosion happen on the big screen, viewers know that if such a nightmare happened, life as we know it would never, ever be the same. "Oppenheimer" could have the definition of a horror film, and it would not be a wrong assessment. For a three-hour historical biopic of politics and science, there was never a moment of boredom for me personally. I found the story completely engaging, informative, intelligent, intense and another Nolan masterpiece of the ages that should absolutely garner him an Academy Award for Best Picture.

"Oppenheimer" is an outstanding and haunting feature that I highly recommend. Depending on how the rest of 2023 shapes up in cinema, simply put, this might be the best film of 2023. My final rating is 10/10 and two thumbs up. It is required viewing for historical and educational purposes. Not recommended for children because of language and brief nudity/sexuality.

To watch Isaiah Ridley's movie reviews online, find him @Izzy's Cinematic Escape on YouTube.