I've recently watched a free preview of Apocalypto at my college CU Boulder and the place was packed to see if Mel Gibson can top or sink after the Passion of the Christ. First off if your not considering to watch this movie after what Mel said when he got arrested will not do justice to this very well made film. The film is packed with chases, blood, gore, fluid camera movements, and pulsing music. The film is not perfect but satisfies the taste for great entertainment when most of our films now bore us with unoriginal clichés and ridiculous plot lines. This film is original and takes a sincere look at the Myan culture without reducing it to its primitive nature. Yes the sacrifices and violence could be stereotypical of all native cultures before the Europeans came in some eyes but the film has sincere moments at the village with the people interacting. Its when the village is raided and the villagers are captured as slaves when everything changes. The film revolves around a native hunter named Jaguar Paw who is at peace with his village. His wife is far along pregnant with a new son and the world is looking up for the village. The village, as I previously said, is raided. He becomes a slave after being caught but his wife and son are hidden away. The rest of the film revolves his journey back to them. The costumes, music, and art direction for the settings are stunning and worth the money. Mel Gibson uses the chase element to its max with the ferocity of the battle scenes in Braveheart. You will not be bored. The film has some unbelievable and cliché moments which serves the hero purpose back. The acting however is done well with the mostly newcomer Myan speaking in the native tongue. Have fun with the film, I did but I expected more to be shown of the culture than just a chase and blood gushing thrill ride. 7 out of 10
Review of Apocalypto
