The Revenant [Blu-ray]

Since the first trailers of this movie came out I knew it would be an experience. Following the incredible Birdman, director Alejandro G. Iñárritu had the public anxiously awaiting his interpretation of this bleak survival story, and much like Birdman, Iñárritu is also the star of this film. The Revenant has some of the most beautiful cinematography I've ever seen. It's cold, visceral, and almost entirely authentic from the use of natural lighting to the barebones yet powerful storytelling. You can tell Iñárritu poured his heart into this project and it pays off tremendously. This is not to discount the incredible performances of DiCaprio and Hardy (DiCaprio finally getting his well-overdue Oscar), but it's hard to imagine the movie being so impactful had another director been at the helm.The story is as simple as it gets. In the 1800s, a group of settlers escape an ambush by an indigenous tribe, and during their travels one man gets separated from the group and gets brutally attacked by a wild bear and subsequently left for dead by his team. It's a revenge story more than anything. What it also highlights is human perseverance and the will to live. The things that happen to this man are truly horrific and difficult to watch. I'm not sure what parts of the story were embellished or Hollywoodized, but this film sucks you into this world and puts you right alongside this fatally wounded man desperate to survive. Leonardo DiCaprio gives a heart-wrenching performance as Hugh Glass, expressing a wide range of emotions despite the limited dialogue. Tom Hardy is also phenomenal as one of the most vile, wretched human beings on the planet. This guy is despicable to the core, and you forget you're watching Tom Hardy at times because he's completely absorbed in the role. The supporting cast is great as well despite their small time on screen. As far as performances and cinematography goes, The Revenant is flawless.What prevents this from getting a perfect 10 is one particular storyline that I didn't think was needed, and it involves the wife of Hugh Glass. She's never developed as a character but she appears intermittently in visions and dreams and it almost sucks you out of the movie for a second because of how intense the main narrative is. But this is a very small gripe. From beginning to end this movie had me on the edge of my seat, my jaw on the floor and my eyes glued to the screen. The Revenant is definitely not for everyone, but it's impossible not to appreciate it for the breathtaking cinematic achievement that it is.

Saw it again. Survival movie. Great film. Use closed captioning or you’ll miss words, unless you’re really good at hearing sloppy, fast talking. DiCaprio is a great actor.

Nature in the dead of winter provides a pitiless backdrop for this story of survival. Director Alejandro G. Inarritu (who also took home the Oscar) evokes the bleak, yet beautiful panoramas of the Dakotas as well as the brutal line between brutal life and frozen death. You'll want to watch this one by a roaring fire, for sure. DeCaprio's part is largely wordless, and yet it's one of the finest screen performances you could ever hope to see. Based on a true story, this is a grueling undertaking for DeCaprio, who is actually swimming in that freezing river and lying in the dirt and slushy snow.

GREAT SERVICE GREAT FILM

The Revenant is a 2015 American epic Western action-adventure period drama film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. The screenplay by Mark L. Smith and Iñárritu is based in part on Michael Punke's 2002 novel of the same name, describing frontiersman Hugh Glass's experiences in 1823. That novel is in turn based on the 1915 poem The Song of Hugh Glass. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, and Will Poulter.This movie won an academy award for best cinematography - deservingly so. The shots in this scene are absolutely breathtaking and reflect nature for what it truly is - dangerous, beautiful, and at times absolutely merciless. Filming took place in a variety of areas - mostly in Europe and in Montana - and this unique (and potentially risky) take on exploring whatever the possibilities were for filming paid off in the end. It is also worth noting that the individuals responsible for the costumes, makeup, hair, and any other entities needed to dress the actors for their parts did an excellent job at embracing authenticity and immersing the audience in this story in a way that isn't always expected.In addition to my above point, this is also one film where the actors all carry an equal share of their weight. Leonardo sells his role as someone hell-bent on surviving - and despite spending a lot of the film without talking, his actions quite literally speak louder than words. Hardy is gritty, focused, and inches the audience in to the pit of absolute hate that is supposed to be had for him by the end of it all in a way that's graceful and dignified. It goes without saying that all the other roles were embraced and represented in a way that demand the attention needed to get through a film that can be rather hard to watch at times.It does appear that major elements of the book were changed in the film to sell Leonardo's role of "vengeance"; without spoiling the movie, I do feel that without the extra elements of revenge getting through this film may have felt rather cumbersome (and not to mention, kind of boring), so I can let this go despite this usually being something that would put this (changing something major between the book and movie) in to 'demerit' territory for me.An easily enjoyed film with stellar performances!I would recommend!