A beautifully shot movie but it went on for too long

Rating: 8/10 (17 February 2016)

I enjoyed this movie alright. On paper it had everything I love in a movie: beautiful scenery, good cinematography, adventure, the theme of man against the elements, a realistic portrayal of the fur-trading industry, native Americans and early 19th century America, and so on.
The initial Indian attack and the bear attack were the most exciting parts of the movie. They were beautifully shot. Truly gripping. Must see! Di Caprio is an amazing actor, and he didn't fail to disappoint here.
However, the film was a little on the slow side and it went on for a little too long.
In the end, this was really just another American chase and shootout movie.
The physical hardships that Glass went through evoked sympathy in me at first (especially the bear attack!) but then it seemed to be endless and this had a numbing effect on me. The phrase that came to mind was "suffering porn". I didn't really care what happened to him in the end. He was lucky to be alive at all.
I suppose the themes included survival and fate. Not being in a philosophical mood when I saw this film, All I got out of it was that some people have horrible luck and yet survive it. The Job story, I suppose. I didn't have a feeling that there was a higher purpose for any of it.
Another demerit for this movie: it didn't move me at all. There were plenty of powerful moments that should have moved me, but it just didn't happen.
I want to give the movie 7.5. 8 feels too high, but 7 feels too low. I'm going to give it an 8 because it was a beautifully shot movie with many interesting aspects to it.