The Revenant

The Revenant

With all the Oscar hype surrounding this film, I was unsure of what to expect.  The Revenant is a brutally, graphically, violently, beautiful film,  I felt as though I was living through the changing elements with Leo and with each day a new threat was looming.

When I had left the cinema after the 3 hour journey, I felt drained and it took a couple of days for this film to settle with me.  Leo and Mr Hardy had done what they set out to achieve.

After fur traders who are on the run are left with their guide mortally injured, they decide to leave him behind with the premise of returning with more supplies and medical assistance.  Leaving the mauled DiCaprio in the hands of brutal Hardy was not the best idea.  Tom decides that enough bed side attendance has been offered and it is now time for him to return back to the fort.  DiCaprio is left buried alive but with a vengeance in his mind to somehow make it back and deal with Tom is the only way possible.

The way the film is shot is cinematically stunning.  Last year I watched Birdman and commented on how great the film was crafted as well, this is the same director.  There are long lingering shots of vast scenery or skyward views through long lines of trees.  Elemental captures bring you into the cold and the wide open spaces give a sense of loneliness.

This is not one for all the family, and although the 3 hour running time seems long, for me the film felt shorter than some recent blockbusters.  With the graphic nature of some scenes, including the initial raid or the bear attack, it is not one for the faint hearted.

I think if Leo wins the Oscar for this film though, it would be a sympathy vote for missing out of far better roles for him, whereas Mr Thomas Hardy shines through in every role he portrays.

Creed

Creed

As a fan of the Rocky Anthology, although very definitive of each era they were released, I was happy to see a new direction and motive.

With recent releases such as the superb Jake Gyllanhall Southpaw all taking the Rocky style, Creed had a tough crowd to shine through.

Thankfully, it is excellent.  Michael B Jordan is superb as the estranged son of one of America's greatest fictional boxing heroes, and it seems that Balboa himself is back.  Finally, Stallone has left the Expendable Beret behind and replaced it with the fondly remembered Rocky hat.  Although Creed brings the franchise into a new era the things that made the first IV so engrossing, heart felt and emotional power houses remains.

One major character is left out of the running though, and it was this one character that left me drained at the end of I, II and III, the character that made me jump out of my seat and start punching the air, and the character that is with everyone whilst struggling at the gym, on a run, or trying to achieve anything.  The character I speak of is the soundtrack. 

The music in Creed lacks the power, drive and determination of Bill Conti's "Gonna fly now", I didn't feel " The Eye of the Tiger" and my Heart was not on Fire! I didn't want a remix or rehash of the classics but just feel that the music from the original anthology is as much a beloved character as Rocky, Apollo or even Drago.

Highly recommended and a great addition into an enjoyable franchise..... Just take out Rocky V and you are fine!