Visually stunning film is also brutally realistic

Rating: 9/10 (18 January 2016)

Based, more or less, on the true (legendary) exploits of mountain man Hugo Glass, this film is location filming at its best. The cinematography is gorgeous and should be a strong candidate for an Oscar in that category. Likewise, Leonardo DiCaprio should be a leader for the award as well. However, I believe Leonardo's nomination came from the absolutely physical nature of the film and what he had to go through to get the character to the screen.
The story of Glass was told in another motion picture some years ago (1971), in 'Man in the Wilderness' staring Richard Harris in the feature role. Both films depict Glass as a guide, trapper and westerner in the early Northwestern U.S. Glass is attacked by a bear, found by his comrades and left for dead because his wounds were so severe. That's my plot spoiler, sorry.
Both films are rugged, frank and brutal and Revenant is even more so than its predecessor. The violence depicted follows the recent trend of stark realism in films. Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu pulls no punches and delivers the action to the point of putting you in the picture. Be prepared. I don't think children should see this film but it is very, very good. It will run a tight race for best picture of 2015.