THE REVENANT (2016)

Genre: Drama / Adventure
Running Length: 2:36
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter, Forrest Goodluck
Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Screenplay: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Mark L. Smith, based on part on the novel by Michael Punke

THE REVENANT feels like an expensive exercise in self indulgence by director Inarritu (more about that later). And it also feels like Leo signed up for this because it could be his ticket to winning an Oscar, finally. The industry knows that the Academy digs actors who go through physical transformation or some kind of emotional torture (or both) in the name of Intense Method Acting. And boy, does DiCaprio suffer to "become" the character of Hugh Glass; consuming raw bison liver on camera, frequently shirtless in hypothermia-inducing harsh climates, sleeping in animal carcasses and so on and forth. 

Please don't get me wrong as all these misery the cast and crew had to go through is translated powerfully on screen - it's a tough, intense and experiential drama. But was it necessary for the film to take so long to tell a simple revenge-in-the-wilderness tale? 

There were way too many perfectly crafted long tracking shots (especially the film's opening Indian raid sequence) which was more distracting than immersive. As the camera glides smoothly through the bloodbath, it calls attention to the whereabouts of the camera instead of making it disappear. It just informs me that Inarritu was intentional on this and wants people to admire his craft rather than getting the audience involved in the action. And there are just too many extended takes on the rugged landscape. 

That said, this method of "not cutting away" was employed effectively in a grizzly bear attack sequence which was intense and disturbing. It gives a realistic view of what actually takes place when a man is being mauled by an enraged bear. Viewers may find this scene way too unsettling as we see DiCaprio being shred apart. 

And speaking of serving the ego, there is an ongoing artsy dream sequence which didn't really serve the story except to showcase how beautifully it was shot. It could have at least been used to fill in some back story of our protagonist so that the audience could be more emotionally invested in him. All we know of DiCaprio's character is that he seems to be super determined to survive but I was detached from his character because I hardly know anything about him. 

From a technical standpoint, The Revenant is flawless and very beautiful to look at. Reportedly shot using only natural light, the glory of the untouched (and freezing) American frontier is masterfully captured. 

Catch it on big screen if you like a gorgeously filmed revenge flick cum survival porn.  

Rating: 7/10