Film Review: The Revenant

 Genre: Adventure, Drama, Thriller

Cert: 15 cert

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Screen writer: Mark L. Smith (screenplay) & Alejandro González Iñárritu (screenplay)

, Michael Punke (based in part on the novel by)

Starring: Tom Hardy , Domhnall Gleeson , Leonardo DiCaprio , Will Poulter , Paul Anderson , Lukas Haas,  Brendan Fletcher , Grace Dove , Kristoffer Joner , Javier Botet , Brad Carter , Kory Grim , Forrest Goodluck , Joshua Burge , Melaw Nakehk'o 

Running time:  2h 36min

Parents advised to read before viewing film as some scene may contain scenes unsuitable for younger viewers.

Sex & Nudity:

• There is a scene of sexual violence in the film where a man is seen forcing himself on a woman, thrusting her from behind. No nudity is depicted and the act is interrupted when the rapist is stopped by another man who appears on the scene with a gun. Following this, it is implied that the victim castrated the rapist as the latter is seen with some blood between his legs
•  A nude man climbs into a horse carcass

• There is also a fleeting scene of male full frontal nudity in the beginning of the film where a full body shot of a naked man appears in the horizon before a battle breaks out.

Violence & Gore:

• The film contains some scenes of violence, most of which occur in the context of attacks between the hunters and the natives. These scenes feature brief shots of men being pierced in the neck by spears or shot by arrows or bullets with some bloodletting visible

• There is also a scene towards the end where [spoiler]two men can be seen struggling in the snow with brief shots of one of them being stabbed in the arm and leg, and in the stomach with some bloodletting visible

• In addition, there is a fairly prolonged scene of a man being attacked by a bear [spoiler]with shots of the bear mauling and biting the man before he shoots it, with some bloodletting visible

Profanity: Mild to strong language 

Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: Drink alcohol in a bar 

Frightening/Intense Scenes:  Due to the strong portrayal of violence in the film, it is recommended for persons aged 15 and above

Official MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong frontier combat and violence including gory images, a sexual assault, language and brief nudity.

Story: Inspired by true events, THE REVENANT captures one man's epic adventure of survival and the extraordinary power of the human spirit. In an expedition of the uncharted American wilderness, legendary explorer Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is brutally attacked by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team. In a quest to survive, Glass endures unimaginable grief as well as the betrayal of his confidant John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). Guided by sheer will and the love of his family, Glass must navigate a vicious winter in a relentless pursuit to live and find redemption

Likes : The Revenant is a 2015 American biographical western thriller drama film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu. The screenplay by Mark L. Smith and Iñárritu is based in part on Michael Punke's 2002 novel of the same name, which was inspired by the life of frontiersman Hugh Glass. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter, and Domhnall Gleeson.

Development of the film began in August 2001 when Akiva Goldsman purchased Punke's manuscript with the intent to produce the film. The film was originally set to be directed by Park Chan-wook with Samuel L. Jackson in mind to star, and later by John Hillcoat with Christian Bale in negotiations to star. Both directors left the project, and Iñárritu signed on to direct in August 2011. In April 2014, after several delays in production due to other projects, Iñárritu confirmed that he was beginning work on The Revenant and that DiCaprio would play the lead role.

This isnt the normal fast pace action adventure film that most people are use to, this is a very slow pace burning story driven concept of survival & revenge based on a true event of legendary explorer Hugh Glass.

The story as a whole is very compelling has you see one man extraordinary will power of survival against all odd's with the wildness & weather not to mention the savage land's to seek revenge on those who left him for dead amongst other things.

The cinematography is stunning in places but lacks in others, the acting from Tom Hardy & Leonardo DiCaprio as well as Will Poulter & Domhnall Gleeson performances are great despite the pacing of the film, which leads to a very strange & weird ending to a film which leave you puzzled.

Despite the film being slow this is a film that worth checking out even if it only for one time vie for its compelling storyline that some how keep you griped to the film.

Dislikes : The only two problems i had with this film is the fact of the pacing, the film is extreme slow for a 2hr 36 min film, i feel for its pacing the film should have been shorter.

The other things as well which ruins the feel of the film, is some of the camera work in curtain scene, seem amaturtress where breath, ice & blood hit the lense, i find when this happens it takes the realism & concept out of the set time period it meant to be portraying.

Overall : Great compelling story, slow pace story driven, great acting.

Rating: 4.3 out of 5 for entertainment / 7.2 out of 10 for concept