A One of a Kind Cinematic Experience

Rating: 9/10 (29 March 2016)

The Revenant is directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and stars Leonardo Dicaprio and Tom Hardy. This is an INTENSE film. It is brutal, bloody, and grossly realistic as a film. The Revenant features probably the best cinematography I have ever seen. I don't get how they filmed half of the shots in this movie. And they only used natural light as a source of light. Almost every shot of The Revenant looks beautiful. The costumes were great and the gore and blood is vividly shown. This is an amazing achievement as a film.
This is the story of a man who is left to face nature on his own, and he must survive in order to take revenge on his son's killer. Leonardo Dicaprio once again delivers an Oscar worthy performance. He was so good here. Half of his dialogue isn't even in English. You really see this guy's pain and anger in his journey for revenge. But just as good is Tom Hardy as Leo's enemy. Hardy was also so good because it almost seems like his character isn't even human. Hardy acts his character as if he is the Devil himself. The supporting cast is also very good, especially Domhnall Gleeson and Will Poulter.
The action is amazing. The first 45 minutes is so riveting. I was on the edge of my seat because the movie moved at such a fast pace and there was so much action. And it was brutally violent. However, after that, the movie slows way down for the next about hour. This is really where we see Leo's journey in the wilderness. Also some subplots are introduced here and this takes away from the actual revenge plot. This was my only problem with the film. But the film gets going again by the last 45 minutes and it was a feast to watch.
The Revenant is a film with amazing cinematography, excellent acting, and brutal violence. Leo Dicaprio and Tom Hardy were fantastic and the action is relentless. The slow second act is really the only flaw this film has. Overall, The Revenant is a cinematic experience. The Revenant gets an A.