More for the experience over the plot

Rating: 7/10 (10 January 2016)

This is a film that is more about the experience over the plot. So if you are looking for a film with a plot that really sticks out you might be disappointed. What this is, is a survival/revenge film with the core being driven by revenge but most of the screen-time is a man trying to survive in a cold wilderness. When it comes to the cinematography though, there is a lot of effort and risk that went with it. There is quite a bit of one long takes that is just mesmerizing sometimes to sit through. It's like watching art on screen unfold. The scenery when it comes to the wilderness, sparkling lake, the encompassing trees full of color, and even the quietness of certain scenes can really draw in the viewers. The lake, frozen over, disguised itself as a white valley, as if I would be able to walk on water. It was one of the best camera- work I have seen when capturing the frozen woods and mountainous areas. The hallucinations and dream like sequences adds to the artistic aspect of this film. It's like watching a captivating and engaging mainstream high budget artistic film on screen. At least when it comes to the cinematography although it lacks in the story section of it all. Leonardo DiCaprio seems to be doing everything he can to win that Oscar. And this movie is like the perfect set up for that. He gets the chance to show off just about every acting chops in his arsenal. Tom Hardy did a fine job of bringing about his character's accent while also playing a cold and yet believable character. His dialogue at least makes him understandable to a certain degree. Overall, this is not a plot driven film but it's more for the experience. I personally haven't seen anything like this before. It's not a film I would immediately go out of my way to watch again. But it's a highly worth at least one watch.
7.9/10