Revenge (1990): Slow Burn with Some Seriously Brutal Moments!

Okay, so I finally got around to watching 'Revenge' with Kevin Costner. I knew going in it was supposed to be a bit of a dark thriller, and yeah, it delivers on that. What struck me most was the pacing - it's a real slow burn for the first half, building up the tension between Cochran (Costner) and Tiburon Mendez (Anthony Quinn). You really feel the heat and the powder keg atmosphere. Sound design worked overtime in the desert scenes to enhance this feeling. The love affair with Miryea (Madeleine Stowe) also felt legitimately dangerous, which is crucial for the whole movie to work. But wow, when things go south, they REALLY go south. The violence is pretty shocking, even by today's standards. I'm a sucker for practical effects, and some of the… ahem… 'corrective surgery' scene? Yikes. Definitely made me squirm. I appreciate the dedication to keeping it real, though. The sound mixing during that scene? Almost unbearable in the best way, if that makes any sense. I jumped. The last act felt a bit rushed, honestly. I think they could have milked the revenge aspect a little more, made it even more psychologically intense. Still, Costner is great as the stoic, slowly unraveling ex-Navy guy. Anthony Quinn is equally menacing. Did get a little bored, I feel like I didn't feel sorry for Costner which is what I should feel. Overall, I enjoyed it. Not something I'd watch every week, but it's a solid, well-made thriller with some memorable (and disturbing) moments. Check it out if you're in the mood for something a little different and don't mind the…intensity.