Oppenheimer 4K UHD Review

Oppenheimer(2023) is a fascinating dramatic character study of a person who may have been as enigmatic and unknowable as particle physics.  J. Robert Oppenheimer has been hailed, for better or worse, as the father of the atomic bomb, and screenwriter/director Chistopher Nolan(Tenet) fills in the story of the most world-altering events in Oppenheimer’s life.

The Production: 5/5

Oppenheimer is the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer(Cillian Murphy), the brilliant physicist hailed as the father of the atomic bomb.  The details of the story leading up to the Manhattan Project are rich material for an espionage thriller, yet the most interesting part of the story is arguably what came after the conclusion of World War II.

The exemplary cast also includes Florence Pugh, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Kenneth Branagh, Casey Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Rami Malek, and an almost unrecognizable Robert Downey, Jr. as Lewis Strauss, chairperson of the Atomic Energy Commission.

Screenwriter/director Christopher Nolan(Inception) developed the story based on the book American Prometheus written by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.  The Prometheus myth is such an apt analogy for Dr. Oppenheimer that it is too good not to use in the film, so Nolan leans in and embraces it.

J. Robert Oppenheimer was an enigmatic individual, and one comes away from the film without really knowing who he was as a person.  Oppenheimer was inscrutable in this respect, and the film does not try to fill in all of the blanks.  Indeed, the mysterious aspects of Dr. Oppenheimer and his life suit the story of his life.  In the 1950s, Oppenheimer’s security clearance was revoked by the government due to concerns about his flirtation with the Communist Party in the 1930s.  A cloud of suspicion arose over Oppenheimer as there were concerns that he might have leaked nuclear secrets to the Soviets.  The film answers this question by exonerating Oppenheimer and pinning the blame for espionage on other members of the Manhattan Project.  This is probably the truth, and the government even made the token gesture of reinstating Oppenheimer’s security clearance after his death.

Oppenheimer tells its story in a rich mosaic;  rather than focus entirely on the title character, the film also explores the fascinating personalities that collaborated on the Manhattan Project, and the politics that followed in the next decade.  The revocation of Oppenheimer’s security clearance is explained in the film as the result of an insecure rival vindictively trying to settle scores.  Oppenheimer is an espionage and a political thriller.  It is also a story of pride, envy, infidelity, and betrayal.  Oppenheimer has been hailed by Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun Times as “one of the best movies of the century” and this endorsement is prominent on the packaging.  This may not be mere bombast and puffery, as Oppenheimer is truly an exceptional film.  Oppenheimer is a very entertaining film that invites historical reading long after the film is over.  There are not many films of 3 hours in length that feel like less than 2 hours, but Oppenheimer accomplishes this feat, and invites repeat viewings.

Video: 5/5

3D Rating: NA

Oppenheimer appears on 4K UHD in a variable screen aspect ratio which fluctuates between 2.35:1 and, for the IMAX footage, an aspect ratio of 1.85:1.  The video presentation in 2160p is sublime.  Colors are vibrant with polychromatic hues, with great fine detail and excellent shadow detail.

Portions of the film were created on 65mm film to created black and white footage to lend a documentary aspect to the congressional hearings in the late 1950s.  The remainder of the film is in color, and the screen story jumps backwards and forwards in a manner to grab your attention.  The screen aspect ratio also changes constantly, to good dramatic effect.  Some establishing shots really benefit from the wider expanse of image in the IMAX shots.  There really are no flaws apparent in the terrific video presentation.

Audio: 5/5

The English DTS-HD 5.1 audio feels like it has the expansive range of Dolby Atmos, without actually being Atmos.  The audio mis is very rich, and builds gradually to a crescendo as the scientists get closer to actual atomic tests.  The original score by Ludwig Goransson(The Mandalorian) blends extremely well with the ambitious sound mix.  It should be no surprise that subwoofers will have any loose dust dislodged during playback of this film.

Special Features: 4.5/5

Special features are included on a separate blu-ray disc from the 4K UHD and blu-ray with the feature.  The special features included the following:

The Story of Our Time:  The Making of Oppenheimer(1:12:25):  This comprehensive featurette may be played all at once, or with chapters selectable with the remote control.  The chapters are entitled “Now I Am Become Death”(7:17), “The Luminaries”(11:25), “The Manhattan Project”(16:41), “The Devil of the Details”(17:21), “Walking A Mile”(6:28), “Can You Hear The Music?”(6:48), and “We Can Perform This Miracle”(6:49).

Trailers(14:11):  These may be played together or selected individually for playback.  They are as follows:  “Teaser(1:11), Trailer 2(2:04), IMAX Exclusive Trailer(2:40), Teaser 3(3:11), and Opening Look(5:07).

Innovations in Film: 65MM Black and White Film in Oppenheimer(8:21):  Director of Phtography Hoyte Van Hoytema(Tenet) and Fotokem producers and scientists talk about the challenge of creating all of the black and white footage on 65MM film.  Since this type of film has not been manufactured for some time, Nolan and Fotokem had to go to Kodak to make special arrangements for making 65MM film.

Meet The Press Q & A Panel:  Oppenheimer(34:46):  Chuck Todd hosts this panel with Nolan and others.

To End All War: Oppenheimer & The Atomic Bomb(1:26:18):  This intereesting documentary includes archival footage of J. Robert Oppenheimer in interviews given after the end of World War II.

Also included is a slipcover and paper insert with validation code for digital copy of the film via the Movies Anywhere app.

Overall: 5/5

Oppenheimer is a great film with a rich story that virtually demands more investigation in the facts of this true story, long after the film is over.  The video and audio presentation are of the same high quality as the film itself.  The special features are recommended viewing, and anyone who enjoys the film will probably enjoy the comprehensive documentaries included on the bonus blu-ray disc.

Timothy E

Timothy has worked background in theatrical features and television, just for the fun of it, in films directed by Peter Segal and Christopher Nolan. His favorite film star is Bugs Bunny, and Timothy has discovered that most of the problems in life can be solved successfully (strangely enough) by asking “What would Bugs Bunny do?” Timothy has been involved with the Home Theater Forum since 2007 and has reported from Comic Con, interviewed Bruce Campbell and Danny Trejo, and reviewed classic animation and new theatrical releases on disc.