Mel Gibson's Apocalypto (Widescreen Edition)
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Features
• Widescreen
• NTSC
In Theaters : 08 December, 2006
DVD Release : 22 May, 2007 |
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Mel Gibson's Apocalypto (Widescreen Edition) description
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 | Stills from Mel Gibson's Apocalypto (click for larger image) |
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Mel Gibson's Apocalypto (Widescreen Edition) Customer Reviews
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History as Art - Philospohical Discussion Material
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Great for the visual quality, the rich settings and costumes, the use of native actors,locations, fabrics, dyes, and language...not too "Hollywoody". Truly a cinematographic feast.
Compare to Cecil B. DeMille's (sp?) work. Not much of this grand pageantry anymore.
The extra scenes about the making of the film were excellent. I didn't see most of the details they mentioned, until I looked back at the actors again. It was that realistic, so that even the "wild" fashions of the era seemed natural on the people.
It was great to get a better idea of Mayan - and also Aztek - life. I think the Olmecs were similar, too. Each bloody dynasty in its age.
But it can be hard to visualize the times and the people just from Discovery Channel specials, or flaking wall paintings. Mel did us all a service, in his inimitable "12-expresso" emotional style.
Whatever you think of him personally - and we *don't* know him personally, apart from media bites that are *designed* for controversy,
not the Gospel Truth --
Mel is a GREAT writer/director/producer. Worthy of study by aspiring writers/film-makers.
I can't say I loved this film, like so many reviewers have. I didn't, as far as the story line went, because I don't like Mel's graphic depictions of human pain and bloody injuries. I hate films about human cruelty, and oppression - but that was how it was.
"Entertaining", well, not really in a fun sense. It was a gripping, tension-rollercoaster of a movie. As a good film ought to, it pulled me into the experience of the characters.
Life is often painful and ugly, not "politically correct", so these are things that "hook" a wide audience. We may feel revulsion, but on some level we relate. I see many viewers felt entertained in a good way - and I will consider that in crafting my own writing.
I would almost call this a horror film. "Historical horror" fits.
Go see it, leave the kids out of it, and learn about Mayan culture.
Become more thankful for our relatively safe and easy life. Work for social justice - the Maya are not the only abusers out there - and as the village elder said "don't let the fear get into you".
It is possible to draw parallels between Mayan behavior and corporate culture. And socially - are we so different? We let the weak/old/unproductive members die of emotional neglect/abuse in satitized conditions,instead of admitting they aren't wanted - and giving them a quick slice of an obsidian blade? "Civilization" seems relative.
Hmmm. I see deep discussion material. |
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Mel Gibson's Apocalypto (Widescreen Edition) dvd movie.
