Is The Social Network The One to Beat?

Raving reviews have been piling up for over a week now (as have Citizen Kane comparisons), and it begs the question, is The Social Network the one to beat? The Oscar race is long, and Up in the Air's stunning 0 for 7 last year (as it got similar accolades and reviews), proves that nothing is set in stone, although a nomination is pretty much locked up. I hope to see it this Friday and provide my own take but for now here are some of the incredible reviews:

Lou Lumenick from the New York Post:

 

"Quite possibly the first truly great fact-based movie of the 21st century."

 

Peter Travers from Rolling Stone

 

"This is the first film I've seen so far in 2010 that deserves my highest rating, 4 stars. It's better than the movie of the year. The Social Network also defines the decade...[A] fierce and funny powerhouse, a modern "Rashomon" that will pin you to your seat."

 

Pete Hammond from Box-Office Magazine

 

"With a thieves den of borderline-Shakespearian characters, a wickedly literate screenplay, potent direction by David Fincher, an exceptional ensemble cast and subject matter that speaks to a generation and well beyond, The Social Network is mesmerizing."

 

Kirk Honeycutt from The Hollywood Reporter

 

"The film comes down to a mesmerizing portrait of a man who in any other age would perhaps be deemed nuts or useless, but in the Internet age has this mental agility to transform an idea into an empire."