The Revenant

In 1823, frontier scout Hugh Glass (Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio) and his fur-trapping cohorts are exploring the uncharted northern Missouri River area near what is now Lemmon, SD, when Glass is savagely mauled by a grizzly bear and left for dead. According to the dictionary, “revenant” means one who returns from the dead, which is quite apt for stoic Glass, who not only survives but is determined to wreak revenge against those who abandoned him and killed his teenage half-Pawnee son (Forrest Goodluck). En route to Fort Kiowa, tormented Glass resolutely makes his way on foot through the harsh, frigid wilderness, dodging Arikara tribesmen who are searching for a chief's kidnapped daughter. Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu—who has now snagged two Best Director Oscars in a row—The Revenant is filmed by Oscar-winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki using all-natural lighting. Filled with sadistic, gruesome gore, the ultra-realistic adventure (shot in Canada and Argentina) is easily the most bluntly brutal, visceral, and visually striking mainstream movie of the year. DiCaprio delivers a punishing physical performance, while Tom Hardy shines as a despicable villain. Based on true events and a legendary explorer's tale, chronicled in Michael Punke's The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge (2002), this eerie, elemental man vs. the wilderness tale is recommended. [Note: Blu-ray extras include “A World Unseen” making-of featurette (44 min.), a photo gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for this Oscar winner.] (S. Granger)