Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie have both officially landed in UK cinemas.
All eyes have been on these two movies in the months leading up to their release. While the two couldn't be more opposite, with one being about the creation of the atomic bomb and the other about Mattel's world-famous doll, there seems to be a winner, for now.
As it stands, Oppenheimer tops Barbie on Rotten Tomatoes, gaining a near perfect score of 93% out of 100, while Barbie receives 89% out of 100, according to WalesOnline. The first audience score on Rotten Tomatoes has also come out, with the war drama reaching a whopping 95% rating with viewers.
READ MORE:Live updates as the new Barbie movie is released in the UK
Michael O'Leary, president of the National Association of Theatre Owners said more than 200,000 viewers are projected to have signed up for a "same-day double feature" of both movies this weekend.
Speaking about the film ahead of the premiere, Barbie's screenplay writer Greta Gerwig said that while writing the script, she aimed to create something "anarchic and wild and completely bananas." The synopsis of the film reads: "Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colourful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land.
"However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans."
Meanwhile, Oppenheimer is based on the story of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. It follows his journey - alongside a team of scientists - as they spend years developing and designing the atomic bomb.
Stars featured include the likes of Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, Robert Downy Jr, Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh. Already masses of critics have showered the Christopher Nolan-directed blockbuster with praise, as some call it a 'masterpiece'.
The Washington Post's Ann Hornaday said Murphy "commands Oppenheimer" and applauded the way he "seems to grow more skeletal, ethereal, a wraith whose chief features are his glasslike blue eyes, ever-present cigarette and catlike purr of a voice." Giving the flick four stars and declared it a "masterpiece."
In review In review for the Los Angeles Times, Justin Chang said Murphy was "superbly restrained yet intensely expressive." He went on to compare the film to Paul Thomas Anderson's dark historical drama There Will Be Blood thanks to its "indelible American darkness taking root in western soil" vision.
Elliott Collins of Movie Files added: "Oppenheimer is filmmaking at its absolute finest! Its a compelling and frightening experience into the Oppenheimers complex story. This is Nolan’s best directing to date combined with his best script. This is a CINEMATIC ACHIEVEMENT!"
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