Apocalypto (DVD)

If you want a gripping, immersive action thriller then take a seat and enjoy one of the best films this year.

Apocalypto is a winner and it succeeds in its opening minutes by drawing us straight in with characters one can root for. With plenty of humour, we are introduced to a peaceful Mayan village where out hero, Jaguar Paw, lives with his pregnant wife and child. The village is carefree and happy, making the first 30 minutes very enjoyable and hooks us in. Then, things take a horrible turn when another tribe appear and attack the village, taking as many prisoners as possible and killing the rest.

For me, I particularly enjoyed the middle section in the Mayan city: I liked the representation of the Mayan class system and was intrigued by the similarities to ancient Rome in terms of folk getting carried around eating grapes and such. The sacrifice scene was great, it felt justifiably dangerous and horrifying (as well it should) and the overall cinematography is suitably lush and grimy at the same time.

A great watch for sure!!!

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Apocalypto
Directed by: Mel Gibson
Starring: Rudy Youngblood, Dalia Hernandez, Jonathan Brewer, Morris Birdyellowhead, Carlos Emilio Baez
Certificate: 18
Running time: 138mins


Civilizations have blossomed and then disappeared in the blink of an eye, now Mr.Gibson has delivered a film that looks at just such a lost race in his new film, Apocalypto.

The eagerly anticipated epic looks at a young member of a dwindling race, Jaguar Paw, whose peaceful way of life is torn apart when his village is attacked by evil trespassers, who kidnap the men and women and leave the young for dead.

Unbeknownst to Jaguar Paw, the captured men are to be used as a gruesome sacrifice to this powerful and religious race. Paw, however, has other plans-he isn’t going anywhere. Not yet .

Close to meeting a harrowing end, a twist of fate sees Jaguar Paw escape from his captors and go on the run not only to evade the enemy but get back to his destroyed village and rescue his wife and child that were hidden during the attack.

Well we’re already one week into 2007 and I’m glad to say that Apocalypto is perfect way to start this year, hitting the ground running, and not stopping for anything. Gibson creates an immediate connection for the audience with Jaguar Paw and the villagers. The comradery between hunters and relationship between father and son are all brilliantly executed resulting in fear and panic when the village is destroyed by the hostile intruders. Every desperate attempt to defend themselves is something you can’t ignore, building a false hope for the innocent victims to somehow get to safety and escape the throat slicing head chopping enemy-which they do an awful lot.

From tribe warriors releasing jets of red mist at the temple, to seeing through the eyes of a severed head, (lovely) Apocalypto spares no expense at the blood bank, and whether you turn away at the sight of it or not, it’s that, that creates even more of an impact for the film, as well as the brilliant use of breathtaking locations, the whole film is a wonderful sight to behold. To the incredible heights of the mammoth pyramids and cities that could lead to our hero’s gruesome demise, to the lush forest that becomes Paw’s battleground and weapon against the enemy, resulting in our hero being at the end of unstoppable manhunt.

It may sound odd but an epic film about human sacrifice and beheading has something for everyone; love, loss, survival and trouble with the in laws, with eleven more months to go of this year it wouldn’t surprise me that Apocalypto manages to make its way out of the jungle as one of the best of 2007.

Much as I love early central/South American history I was sceptical of this film on its cinematic release as I knew Mel Gibosn (director) used original Mayan as the spoken language. I suspected it was a vanity project, and would be a simple and predictable tale in the familiar style of Hollywood fare.

However when a colleague at work recommended the film, and lent me a copy, I was happy to suspend my scepticism for a while.

But I have to say now I cannot endorse this film enough to anyone. After a few minutes you forget that you are hearing a long dead language, or even reading subtitles, I was just swept away by the cinematography, and the structure and scope of the story.

It is a joy to watch a film that so totally draws you in, and where the length of the film itelf is not a drawn out slim tale but part of the construction of the spectacle. I cannot remember the last time a film captivated me so completely.

So having watched it the once, I had to buy a copy so I could see it again, and a second viewing did not disappoint, this is one of most enjoyable films I have seen in a very long time.

If you want action, love, and thought provoking scenes, this is a rewarding film.

I bought this film because of its unusual story and favourable reviews.

It is set in pre-conquest Mexico (although the Spanish make a appearance towards the end) and tells the story of a group of forest-dwelling villagers who are taken prisoner by a raiding party from a nearby Mayan city. The efforts of one individual (Jaguar Paw) to escape and rescue his son and pregnant wife forms the basis of the plot.

The action is fast and furious and the scenery impressive. It is well-acted and the use of the indigenous Mayan language help to lend it authenticity.

It is also fairly gory, showing scenes of human sacrifice and gratuitous cruelty, and is not for those of a nervous disposition.

I think Mel Gibson deserves praise for bringing the Mayan civilization to the world's attention and helping to create interest in the rain forest.

This Film transports you back to a Central America to see the Great Mysterious Mayan civilization, and follows a young Mayan called Jaguar Paw.

Mel Gibson is fast becoming a great Writer & Director, and if you were not a Fan of the Passion of the Christ then try this as it is twice as good as Bravehart with lots of Gruesome and Realistic Intense Action.

This Film will have you glued to your seat for the 2 hours, as this is one Hell of a Thrill Ride you do not want to miss !!!