Apocalypto

Apocalypto - 2006

I had to send my teenage daughter out of the room and up to bed. This movie is dripping with violence, death and destruction. If you got the squeemies about that kind of thing then you will be turned off... way off.

Mel Gibson's portrayal of the Mayan culture and civilization is considered by some to be over the top and unnecessarily cruel. While undoubtedly there is director creative license going on here, it is a historical vision worthy of consideration. We read about American Indian culture and savagery in works like Allen Eckert's Winning America series and understand that the early world was not always a pleasant place. And indeed the white men that came over were just as cruel and savage.

Apocalypto is at its heart a prolonged jungle chase vehicle. Jaguar Paw's village is decimated by the Mayans. He is pursued by his captors after his escape through the jungle - in a effort to get back to his pregnant wife and son who are hiding in a cave. As Jaguar Paw and several other village men are led up the long climb to the Mayan sacrificial alter, we see the heads of his predecessors tumbling down the steps in the distance.

The set detail and costumes are so rich and realistic that we are driven to watch and experience this spectacle, even when we are driven to turn away. Gibson is as masterful behind the camera as in front of it. Much like his Passion of the Christ a couple years ago, he takes the viewer to the edge of what they can take, then pulls back and gives us a rest. Then dives in for more, then gives a rest. His camera angles and methods are so engaging, we know we are in the hands of a master.

The performances of the actors are spot on as well. Gibson used only ethnic actors so you won't see a big name white actor in the bunch. The acting MUST be good enough to inspire hatred of the Mayan mercenaries in the viewer - so that we accept all the violence and carnage.

I'm not giving this movie 4 stars because it is a fine documentary of the late Mayan culture. It is getting 4 stars because it is a memorable ripping good action adventure. It lost a point because of the contrived ending but this is a worthy addition to the Mayan jungle chase scene genre.

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