Overview: Experience the breathtaking global phenomenon that has captivated audiences around the world. Written for the screen and directed by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer thrusts audiences into the mind of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), whose landmark work on the Manhattan Project created the first atomic bomb.

An unprecedented cinematic event, Oppenheimer features an all-star cast that includes Emily Blunt, Oscar® winner Matt Damon, Oscar® nominee Robert Downey Jr., Oscar® nominee Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, and Oscar® winners Casey Affleck, Rami Malek and Kenneth Branagh.

Blu-ray Verdict: History is hardly ever as straightforward and simple as we something believe it to be. The same goes for people like J. Robert Oppenheimer. In learning about World War II and the development of the atomic bomb, the thing I remembered the most was that he was a brilliant man who was suspected of being a communist, thereby tarnishing his legacy. That however seems to be somewhat of the straightforward simple history we tend to like.

Yet if this movie is as accurate as is claimed, a theorist (not just a theoretical physicist) might have an intellectual interest in leftist (specifically communist) ideas while, simultaneously, never fully committing. This was a theme touched on throughout the movie in which Oppenheimer was, in several instances, content to stick with theory.

When the Trinity test then took place and he saw what came from theory being put into practice, I do believe that fundamentally changed him. Wrestling with the unleashing of such power and knowing he led the scientists responsible for it, should really change anyone with a conscience.

What this picture does really well is show Oppenheimer neither as a saint who might have saved millions of lives at the cost of hundreds of thousands, nor as a sinner caught up in communism as might have been the case during the era of Joseph McCarthy and the Cold War.

Rather, he was a man as brilliant as he was defiant, ordered as he was rogue, disciplines as he was cavalier. I believe Nolan, as the primary screenwriter and obviously director, respects us as the audience enough to leave it up to us to draw our own conclusions.

Cast wise, it is packed solid. However, maybe too star-studded to the point where I found myself questioning why certain big-name actors were involved in the film, given how little screen time they had. The character of Florence Pugh was unnecessary, and whilst she may have meant a lot to Oppenheimer, they could have just referenced her instead (in my humble opinion).

And whilst I personally found Cillian Murphy to be emotionless and monotone, I am not familiar enough with the real life Oppenheimer to know if that was accurate or not. That said, Emily Blunt and Robert Downey Jr. both have very strong performances, and Josh Hartnett deserves a special mention for not aging a day since 1998!

In conclusion, Oppenheimer is a great study of the complexity of humanity, social systems, war, right and wrong, and our propensity for evil. Not your casual romcom, so to speak, but a rewarding watch if your brain is up for it. And I hope it is after reading this as the film is INCREDIBLE.

Special Features:
The Story of Our Time: The Making of Oppenheimer
Trailers
Innovations in Film: 65mm Black and White Film in Oppenheimer
Meet the Press Q&A Panel: Oppenheimer
To End All War: Oppenheimer & the Atomic Bomb