Apocalypto
Rudy Youngblood, Dalia Hernandez, Jonathan Brewer; Directed by Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson's fourth feature film as a director follows Jaguar Paw, a young tribesman who is confronted with incredible adversity and danger when his village is invaded by slave traders. After lowering his young son and severely pregnant wife down into a cavernous pit and out of harms way, he is captured and taken to a nearby city to serve as a sacrifice to the gods, whose anger has supposedly caused a bad crop year. Well, meet the luckiest tribesman on earth. A moment before Jaguar Paw's heart is to be ripped from his chest, an eclipse occurs. The ceremony is stopped, and Jaguar Paw's life is spared. The gods are apparently appeased. Soon after, Jaguar Paw escapes, and the next forty-five minutes is a perilous adventure through a treacherous jungle as he is pursued by several of his captors, one of whom is particular thirsty for his blood, wanting to avenge his slain son.
There are two main things that have become staples in a Mel Gibson-directed film. One; it's gonna be good. Two; there's going to be at least one character, if not several, who will be completely drenched in blood. It's a plain fact. Another thing for sure is that if you or a loved one is of a weak constitution, you may want to wait a few years until you either toughen up or mellow out enough to handle it. Things like beating hearts pulled from chests, impaling, throat-cutting, decapitation, and animals ripping the faces off of men, may want to cause you to rethink eating while watching as well. If you are prepared, know that the story pretty much justifies this violence. The ancient Mayan civilization was barbaric at times and very, very brutal. Mr. Gibson has never been in favor of sugar-coating the truth about people and times, and this is no exception, so it would be hard for me to say that the violence is gratuitous or offensive. I found it neither of these things. The story itself is pretty riveting, though fairly basic, and I didn't find myself as emotionally invested in the characters as much as I have been in other Gibson films. That didn't make it any less intense. Jaguar Paw's wife goes into labor as rain is filling up the hole she and her son have been living in. How does it get worse than that? The cinematography is really unromanticized, very natural, which fit well. And James Horner's tribal score is punctuated with the expected beating of drums and playing of pipes. Nothing new there. The production design, makeup, and costuming are a wonder to behold, however. This age in time in this place in the world has never been seen onscreen, and it's entirely fascinating to see all of the different faces of the different classes, especially in the city where the captives are brought. Anyone with an interest in history will really appreciate this.
Though I appreciated this film, I would have to say that it was the weakest of Gibson's past three films. Though it is not at all fair to compare, since his weakest films can beat the tar out of most of the stuff that's being put out nowadays. Apocalypto is an experience. It is not one that I can see myself revisiting again, but I'm glad that I did take the initiative to eventually see it. Mel Gibson puts passion and heart into his projects, and it comes out on screen. He always gets great things from his performers, and his artistic eye never fails to produce something awe-inspiring. So if you feel like you're on the fence about this one, I'm telling you now, watch it. It's worth it, and it will be time well spent.
Grading:
Story = A-
Originality = A
DVD Features = N/A
Acting = A
Enjoyability = B+
Visuals = A
Overall = A-
|
