By: Jacob Mueller ~Staff Writer~

“The Revenant” is directed by critically acclaimed director Alejandro González Iñárritu and stars A-list talents Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy. The film explores the truly dark and treacherous journey of frontiersman Hugh Glass (DiCaprio) who is left for dead after a brutal bear mauling and proceeds to relentlessly search for those who abandoned him.

“The Revenant” was one of my most anticipated films of the year due to my love of the talent involved, and this is undoubtedly one of the best movie-going experiences I had in 2015. Aside from the incredible performances from DiCaprio and Hardy, by far the most impressive thing in this film is the cinematographer.

Emmanuel Lubezki deserves all of the praise that he has received, because “The Revenant” is one of the most visually stunning films I’ve laid eyes on, with incredible attention to detail and gorgeous natural lighting.

This is one of the most beautiful films I’ve ever encountered, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Lubezki took home the Best Cinematography Oscar for the third year in a row.

“The Revenant” contains mind-blowing one-shot action sequences that are arresting and endlessly impressive, not to mention intense. Not all of the credit should go to Lubezki, because Iñárritu directed a film that’s perfectly paced and intensely gripping from the very first shot. His most memorable scene, the bear attack sequence in which DiCaprio’s character is brutally mauled, is exceptional. The scene is so authentic that it’s chilling.

Speaking of DiCaprio, if this isn’t the performance that earns him his long-awaited Oscar, then I don’t know what will better express how dedicated he is to his craft.

“The Revenant” is certainly not an easy film to sit through due to its endless brutality and intensity; however, it’s one of the most visually riveting films that I’ve ever seen. The performances are astounding and the direction is near flawless. It’s one of the most unforgettable films of 2015.