Ted Danson’s review published on Letterboxd:
Until Second Sight put out a Limited Edition Blu Ray of this film recently, I don't recall having ever heard of Revenge before. Social media has been awash with hype over this film for a couple of weeks now too. Which left me feeling I should get in quick before Revenge becomes one of those word of mouth recommendations that you end up hating because it's been built up too much.
Revenge has actually been released on Blu Ray prior to the current Second Sight edition, and at a much more palatable price. That's not to say I don't appreciate the hard work that boutique labels put in to their products, but if you don't want to spend big money on an edition of a film that you may not like then there is a bare bones Blu Ray from Vertigo that you can pick up for a fraction of the price right now.
Be warned though, the Vertigo disc is quite literally a vanilla edition. You get the film, the theatrical trailer...and that is it.
What about the film itself? Revenge is a magnificent tale of, well, revenge. Kudos surely must be given to the cast, who all play their parts absolutely wonderfully. Especially the incredible Matilda Lutz who transforms effortlessly from a teeny bubblegum tease mistress, to a broken, determined killer. Lutz doesn't even say a word for two thirds of the film yet manages to convey all of her characters' anger, hatred, upset, despair and rage with astonishing projection of body language. You're left clawing your armrest to the very end as the tension builds to a whopper climax.
Revenge is not without it's flaws though. For a start you really do need to suspend all belief and reasoning with some of the more outlandish scenes in this film. If you can do that, then Revenge pays off in spades.
There are also a couple of scenes that look a bit 'grindhousey'. I can see what the director was trying to do, but I don't think it pays off and makes the film look really cheap, when the rest of it is superbly shot and edited.
A benefit of this vanilla Blu Ray disc is the soundtrack is a glorious, pounding DTS-HD Master Audio treat, full of thudding electronic beats and suitably punchy sound effects. Highlights include the excellent use of panning during helicopter scenes, plus another moment where a can of beer is kicked across the width of the screen. Play this disc on a juicy sound system and you'll be very impressed.
Revenge is a superb effort that thankfully doesn't take a titillating or exploitative angle. It's well acted, well crafted and well presented.
Believe the hype.