Forget any off-screen impressions you may have of Mel Gibson, and experience Apocalypto as the mad, bloody runaway train that it is. The story is set in the pre-Columbian Maya population: one village is brutally overrun, its residents either slaughtered or abducted, by a ruling tribe that needs slaves and human sacrifices. We focus on the capable warrior Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood), although Gibson skillfully sketches a whole population of characters--many of whom don't survive the early reels. Most of the film is set in the dense jungle, but the middle section, in a grand Mayan city, is a dazzling triumph of design, costuming, and sheer decadent terror. The movie itself is a triumph of brutality, as Gibson lets loose his well-established fascination with bodily mortification in a litany of assaults including impalement, evisceration, snakebite, and bee stings. It's a dark, disgusted vision, but Gibson doesn't forget to apply some very canny moviemaking instincts to the violence--including the creation of a tremendous pair of villains (strikingly played by Raoul Trujillo and Rodolfo Palacias). The film is in a Maya dialect, subtitled in English, and shot on digital video (which occasionally betrays itself in some blurry quick pans). Amidst all the mayhem, nothing in the film is more devastating than a final wordless exchange of looks between captured villager Blunted (Jonathan Brewer) and his wife's mother (Maria Isabel Diaz), a superb change in tone from their early relationship. Yes, this is an obsessive, crazed movie, but Gibson knows what he's doing. --Robert Horton

Beyond Apocalypto

More films directed by Mel Gibson

Apocalypto soundtrack by James Horner

Phenomenal movie experience

Those who gave this movie 1 star seem

1. Obsessed with Gibson's money.
2. Mel is permanently in the dog house because he makes movies that show Christianity as the hope of the world.
3. They find it racist to point out that this culture actually could be as violent as it was.

Hello?!? Not all cultures like our own - that have a christian foudation - had a natural human tendency toward a respect for life. Throughout human history life had little to no meaning to nearly every culture until Christianity arrived and the hearts of those in the culture were changed. Sorry folks if the facts get in the way of your wishful thinking.

This movie was very good. The whole thing was subtitled, just like The Passion, which again gave it the feel that you were actually watching the real deal.

Yes this movie was graphically violent but and some scenes were troubling (especially those involving children being hurt or abandoned) but should Gibson have re-written history and made the story nicer so as to pacify those who refuse to believe that there were societies that had no respect for life.

This is a great story and a fascinating psuedo-history lesson. I enjoyed it for what it was - a very entertaining adventure film. Folks, the comfortable world we live in today is unique and sorry if the world was not always like that.

Highly recommend.

[4.5] A thrill ride like no other

Forget what you think about Mel Gibson as a person, because either way this guy can make a movie. The controversial "Apocalypto" is a film like no other, telling a compeling story of survival amidst extinction, using suspense and thrills that sends chills down the spine while being on the edge of your seat. This was not the film I was expecting to see, but came away from it with a sense of power and strength, and the emotions of the will to survive.

The first 20 minutes basically sets the Mayan village setting for us, with moments of humor (good humor at that), bonding, and family. The dialouge is actually subtitled in English, which really is fitting for this movie. Some of the cinematography gives you the feel of being in a Mayan jungle, and their language adds to the realism. Once things get rolling - thus begins the roller coaster that never stops, as the Aztec (supposedly Aztec, but not necessarily) warriors make their move and all hell breaks loose, almost literally. Powerful scenes of violence and cruelty continue constently, again adding to the realism and sickness of such an event - specifically the Aztec way of life. The main charcatcer "Jaguar Paw" played by an impressive Rudy Youngblood, is captured (along with most of the rest of the villagers) by the Aztecs and leaves behind his pregnant wife and young son, though keeping them secretly in a safe location. For the reminader of the movie, you know he has to get back to them and rescue them, promising them he would return. But how can he possibly escape the fate that seems to be set in store for him and the villagers?

The story actually is not as complex as I imagined it would have been. This movie is basically a thriller/suspense, and doing whatever it takes to stay alive. The only depth I really found was when a young girl speaks of a sort of prophecy. No one wants to believe her, but the events begin coming true. There is a good deal of insight into what life might have been like, and the sets and imagery used for the Aztec culture is shocking to an extent. There seemed to be lots of detail, so that every aspect of this culture could be recognized. Though its a shame to see what it represents, the great Aztec city is truly a spectacular sight, and Mel did just a fantastic job mkaing it come alive on film.

Among the controvery associated with this film, its probably the amount of gore and violence that have people talking about the most. From the beginning of this film to the end, you will find plenty of very disturbing scenes. Its not really ment for entertainment purposes like a horror movie, but to give a more sense of realism. Some scenes that really get gruesome is the eating of animal balls, hearts being torn out of bodies, beheadings, and squirting blood from a head.

This film could also be considered action, though I wouldn't call it fun action at all. Nevertheless, there are lots of fights and a ton of chases through the jungle. The camera work is very impressive with these chases, with little to no shaking occuring.

The charcaters are all convincing in this film. The actors and actresses were chosen wisely. Rudy Youngblood does a find job as the lead, but its the Aztec leaders that sell it the most. Two very convincing and downright dirty villains are created, both of whom send a good dose of fear to the viewer.

If you can deal with some disturbing scenes and lots of gore, this is a movie that everyone should see. A great look into what might have very well been for these cultures. It is very powerful and moving, and this movie is one you will never forget after watching.

Acting - 4.5
Action - 4.5
Charcaters - 5
Story - 4
Overall - 4.5

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Gibson is the most original film maker in the business. If Hollywood didn't have an ax to grind against him this would have swept the Oscars. He is the Da Vinci of film - today's great art medium.
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