Written By: Aaron Meyer
The Revenant is the story based on the real life of a frontiersman named Hugh Glass. Glass and a group of others are on a fur trading expedition that is set in the early 1800s. After an attack from the local Natives, Glass sets out on his own to find a safe way back to Fort Kiowa. On his journey, Glass becomes mauled by a bear and the story of Hugh Glass becomes an amazing one of survival.
Firstly let me start off by saying this movie is absolutely beautiful in the way that you could take nearly any shot of the landscape of this film and it could possibly be turned into an oil painting. Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu did a masterful job directing some of the most beautiful cinematography of the year. The location scouts for this film did a great job at picking places that not only appear amazing on film but make you understand the awe inspiring parts of the wilderness and just how far you can truly be alone for miles.
This film was shot using only natural lighting which a few films have done this year. (see The Hateful Eight) Doing so gives the movie a very realistic feel to it and on the big screen and makes you feel as if you are there in the environment with the actors. I can see this becoming the new trend happening in Hollywood in the upcoming years as many films have been over saturated with the blue & orange tinted hues we have all become accustomed to.
The story of Hugh Glass and his survival is based around the real life story of the frontiersman with the same name. (Click here to read more about Hugh Glass) While taking liberty with the story of his six week long journey that was over 200 miles across the frozen hills of the forks of the Grand River in South Dakota. Leonardo DiCaprio does an amazing job in acting in this movie with his portrayal of Glass and his struggle to survive. This movie I would argue is probably Leo's most physical role he has ever taken part of. The absolutely brutal bear attack scene and the struggle of survival while playing a character who is literally fighting death in subzero temperatures while traveling hundreds of miles across a desolate frozen landscape. This performance is definitely Oscar worthy but we shall wait and see if Leo gets snubbed yet again.
One of the biggest parts of this film has to do with the contrasting elements it displays. For example many critics have pointed out the contrast between the beauty of the wilderness surrounding our characters and the brutal violence of the movie. The real antagonist of this movie is nature and the interference of mankind between these two powerful forces.
The Revenant is a movie that I really enjoyed and believe both Tom Hardy and Leonardo DiCaprio both deserve awards for. Even if you are not a huge fan of either actor you should still see the movie, especially in a theater and get the full scope of the amazing cinematography. This movie is for fans of old school cinema and gets my highest rating since we've started this blog.
FINAL SCORE: 4.5 / 5
I saw the movie last night and was absolutely blown away. The acting was amazing and the cinematography was breathtaking. I was on the edge of my seat most of the time and gripping the arm rests as I watched Leo's character struggle to survive with everything he was dealing with. What an intense movie. It was incredible.
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