Director: Alejandro Inarritu
Cast Headliners : Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domnhall Gleeson
Original Release Date : December 25th (very limited), January 8th (wide)
There's a lot of very great things
to think of when considering The Revenant. There's the intense
process that went into filming it, there's the fantastic talent
involved, and perhaps most crazy of all is that the story of Hugh
Glass is a largely true one. The players in this piece come into it
after big steps in their career and the question is can they keep
delivering. The answer is for the most part a resounding YES.
The film begins rolling far out in the
American Western wilderness at the dawn of the winter of 1823. A
group of fur trappers including Hugh Glass(Leonardo DiCaprio), his
son Hawk(Forrest Goodluck) and their companions John Fitzgerald (Tom
Hardy), young Jim Bridger(Will Poulter), and company commander
Cpt.Andrew Henry(Domhnall Gleeson.) Events transpire including
Native American attacks and the harshness of nature which leads to a
truly epic journey for Glass that intensely unfolds bit by bit.
The movie is for the most part a tale
of survival and all the bloody , gritty carnage and intensity that
comes with it. The atmosphere and scenery is ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING
as the uppercase text is a understatement. Director Alejandro
Inarritu amazed with his frenetic close style and overall amazing
accomplishment in 2014's Birdman so its not surprise he brings his
incredible talent here. Every shot feels crisp whether it be up
close to the action or in zoomed out beautiful nature landscapes. His
cinematography gives a somber introspection to slow moments and a
pulsepounding unnerving intensity to action when it does in fact
appear. It makes the viewer feel as if they are really watching
Glass himself on his journey. This is aided in that the cast actually
went through a lot of the steps to create the movie. Making these
varied and beautiful snowy vistas was as epic a tale in the real
world as it turns out to in the final result and thats something
which would make the film amazing in itself. The touch of Inarritu is
one of magic art and isnt quite replicated by others in the industry
today.
Visceral action and dazzling
scenery/sequences is one thing but its just one gem in this movie's
wonderful crown. Leonardo DiCaprio is simply awesome as Hugh Glass.
Glass doesnt always get the chance to actually talk but instead
delivers his prescence through nonvocal grunts and just doing things.
Often alone, his pain is often expressed to the auidnece through the
sheer talent of Leo's movements and reactions. This is one for the
ages running a range of intense emotions. Maybe now he can finally
earn that Oscar which is made even more impressive with the
afromented really doing it all that it took to create and embody this
movie.
The rest of the movie's small named
cast is quality but the other highlight is without a doubt Tom
Hardy's Fitzgerald. The same kudos could be mostly said of Leo as to
him though he brings with him even more some great if gruff
statements. Hardy is once again unrecognizable, adopting a thick
frontiersman accent and distinct bearded beaten up look. Both him and
Leo transform and make us feel for them whether it be cheering on or
in anger. Either on their own would be commendable but together
makes the film that much better.
It's beautiful filmcraft and filled
with fantastic performances but with so much going on of course some
things will slip through the cracks though luckily minimal. The film
is really long but because of the stakes at hand and variety of
enviroments gone through its worth it to this writer to see what
dangers of nature or man await but it may turn some of in its
artistic deep introspection moments that slow down the pace from time
to time. And for everything that feels so gritty and real there are
the times when it does break reality a bit for visions or the well
known bear attack that feel slightly incongrous. The bear attack
luckily feels very real but seeing the small bit of CGI used in a
film otherwise devoid of it makes one think “that's some CGI”
however it is a thrilling sequence like the other's action.
Its a overall amazing product.
Perhaps it doesnt break ground as much as Inarritu's last directorial
effort Birdman did: there's no meta-angle, the pace slows at times,
the music is more typical, its more of a straightforward period
survivor story. But he once again shows how to make something well
looking and packed with powerful performances and moments. Once the
intensity starts going it just gets more and more crazy and the
ending moments feel that much more impactful for the journey before
it. Bravo all, and extra shoutout to LeoDICap for being a stellar
point of view to be alongside. 9.2 out of 10
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