Apocalypto

Plot synopsis:
It is the early 16th century, somewhere in the Central American jungle. A tapir runs frantically through the forest before it springs a trip wire trap and is impaled on a swinging branch full of spikes. Young Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood) puts the tapir out of its misery and eagerly divides its internal organs between his fellow hunters; Curl Nose (Amilcar Ramírez), Smoke Frog (Israel Contreras), and Cocoa Leaf (Israel Ríos). Blunted (Jonathan Brewer) receives the tapir's testicles as the brunt of a joke since he and his wife have yet to have any children. Jaguar Paw's father, Flint Sky (Morris Birdyellowhead) offers some remedial help, giving Blunted some red leaves that he instructs him to use the next time he and his wife try.They are soon interrupted by a band of refugees passing through the forest, looking downtrodden. One of them, a fisherman (Hiram Soto), addresses Jaguar Paw and explains that their village was attacked and that they are seeking a new beginning. They exchange food before the group moves on, though Jaguar Paw is keen to know more about what happened. His father silences him and they return to their village. Just before they get back, Flint Sky explains to his son that the refugees were infected with fear and that it should not be brought into the village to fester.Jaguar Paw goes to his hut and admires his small son, Turtles Run (Carlos Emilio Báez), before greeting his very pregnant wife, Seven (Dalia Hernández). Blunted returns to his wife, Sky Flower (Iazua Larios), whose mother (María Isabel Díaz) impatiently tells him to hurry and give her grandchildren. Moments after entering their hut, Blunted runs out screaming and holding his privates before seating himself in a water trough. Flint Sky falls to the ground laughing, as the leaves he gave Blunted were meant to cause a burning sensation when rubbed. Blunted yells at him but starts laughing with everyone else. That night, an old storyteller (Espiridion Acosta Cache) tells how man once received gifts from the forest until the forest had nothing left to give. The villagers begin to play music and dance but Jaguar Paw's mind is distracted until Seven brings him back.The following morning, Jaguar Paw wakes early from a dream and notices fire torches quickly approaching the village. Warriors appear, igniting huts and apprehending the villagers. Jaguar Paw takes his wife and son and puts them in a deep cistern to hide. He ties a rope to a nearby rock so that they can climb out again before running back to the village to help, killing a raider along the way. However, the village is soon overrun. Blunted is held down while Sky Flower is forced into a hut where she is presumably raped and killed. Jaguar Paw attempts to free his father but is knocked down by a raider. Middle Eye (Gerardo Taracena), a raider nearly killed by Jaguar Paw, nicknames him 'Almost'. Flint Sky tells his son not to be afraid as Middle Eye props him up and slits his throat. All the surviving captives are tied up and led away, attached to each other on long poles while the children of the village are left with none but the dead for company. As the Holcane hunting party leads the captives into the forest, one of them, Snake Ink (Rodolfo Palacios), notices Jaguar Paw looking towards the cistern as they pass. Snake Ink investigates but does not notice Seven and Turtles Run. He is, however, suspicious of the rope dangling into the hole and cuts it.The fierce-looking leader of the Holcanes, Zero Wolf (Raoul Max Trujillo), reunites with his son Cut Rock (Ricardo Diaz Mendoza) who has suffered a bruising blow to the head, swelling his right eye shut. Zero Wolf cuts lines into his brow to release the pressure of blood, allowing his son to see again. The party meets up with a second raiding group which has caught the band of refugees seen the day before. Jaguar Paw recognizes the fisherman as the two groups are led further into the forest, followed by the children of the two clans. As they cross a raging river, the children are halted by the water. The eldest girl cries out that the children are hers now and she will take care of them. That night as they camp, Zero Wolf gives his son a large dagger which he says has killed many men. It is a symbol of Cut Rock's manhood, proven by the successful raid. Blunted laments and promises to take as many captors with him to Hell if he does not find his Sky Flower there.The next day, while treading a narrow path on a cliff, Cocoa Leaf, severely injured in the village raid, looses his footing and dangles over the edge. Jaguar Paw and the others manage to pull him back onto the path while Middle Eye watches with interest and goads them to regain their footing. He then cuts Cocoa Leaf free of his binds and shoves him over the cliffside. Zero Wolf berates him for losing one of their captives though Middle Eye asserts he was only dead weight. Still, Middle Eye dares not argue further and assures not to repeat his actions before walking beside Jaguar Paw, taunting him and again calling him 'Almost'.As they near civilization, the party crosses through a deforested area and failed maize crops where villagers lay dead, decimated by a plague. A small girl, sick and with sores on her face and hands, approaches the party but, when Snake Ink forcefully pushes her away, suddenly looks towards Jaguar Paw with a blank expression. She then looks at Snake Ink and prophesies their doom, warning of a man who brings blackness of night and a jaguar, is reborn of mud and earth, and who will bring those that will cancel out the sky and 'scratch you out'. She says that this man is among them now. The party moves on as she continues to call to them.They enter a city where workers toil in limestone quarries, covered white by the excess and spreading quick lime over buildings. A worker coughs blood and an old man approaches the captives, drooling and begging for help. He is kicked away by a Holcane and told to die with dignity. The women captives are separated from the men and are sold as slaves. Blunted watches as his mother-in-law is auctioned but rejected due to her age. She is freed to wander and she follows Blunted as far as she can go, touching his arm assuredly before closing her eyes against a pillar, helpless.The men are led through a tunnel where they see pictures on the walls depicting human sacrifices. Women paint their bodies blue as they are led to the top of a step pyramid. The heads of victims are tossed down the steps and collected in baskets at the bottom. Jaguar watches as the first captive (José Suárez) is sacrificed, his heart ripped out and his head severed. The same fate befalls Curl Nose before Jaguar Paw is brought to the sacrificial pedestal. Seemingly accepting his fate, he waits until the high priest (Fernando Hernandez) stops due to a solar eclipse. The priest announces to the clamoring crowd that their god is pleased and begs for the sun to come back. However, the priest and the Mayan leaders are well aware that the eclipse will eventually pass; they use the celestial events to wield power over the public and their enemies. He then instructs Zero Wolf to get rid of the other captives.Jaguar Paw and the others are taken to an old ball court where they are instructed to run the length in pairs towards the forest at the end with a cynical promise of freedom should they make it. Cut Rock runs ahead to the end of the court as a 'finisher' and it becomes clear that the captives are to be used as target practice. Blunted and Smoke Frog are the first to run, but Blunted is speared in the lower back and Smoke Frog is hit with a large stone before being finished by Cut Rock. Next, Jaguar Paw and the fisherman are told to flee. Jaguar Paw's necklace is ripped off by Middle Eye and thrown into the dirt; a dark omen, before he runs. Though they evade most of the projectiles, the fisherman is shot through the head by Snake Ink's arrow and Jaguar Paw is impaled through his side, falling near Blunted. Before Cut Rock can finish him, Blunted lunges and grabs Cut Rock by the leg, buying Jaguar Paw some time. Cut Rock kills Blunted with a single blow to the head but Jaguar Paw breaks off the arrow head in his own body and stabs Cut Rock in the neck. Cut Rock stumbles as Jaguar Paw stands, removes the arrow shaft from his side, and runs into the forest.Zero Wolf runs to his son and coaxes him into eternal sleep. As his son dies in his arms, Zero Wolf takes back his dagger and puts his son's necklace into his belt before running after Jaguar Paw, bent on revenge. The other holcanes follow him. Jaguar Paw runs through a corn crop and falls into a mass open grave filled with the remains of thousands of sacrificial victims. He runs across the decaying bodies into the jungle, where he climbs a tree and hides, blood still dripping from his wound. The holcanes run past beneath him. When they are gone, he turns to see a black jaguar cub growling at him. He hears a louder roar behind him and turns to see the threatening mother jaguar. Meanwhile, the holcanes stop, realizing they have lost Jaguar Paw's trail. One of them notices blood on Middle Eye's shoulder and they backtrack, keeping their eyes to the trees. They soon see Jaguar Paw running through the forest and Speaking Wind (Marco Antonio Argueta) pursues him. As their paths merge in a clearing, Speaking Wind is attacked by the jaguar that was chasing Jaguar Paw. He is viciously mauled to death before the others arrive and kill the jaguar.Drunkards Four (Bernardo Ruiz) dislikes the bad omen associated with killing the jaguar while Snake Ink remembers the strange child's prophecy and remind him it was foretold. Zero Wolf hushes them all, eager to find and kill Jaguar Paw. The chase lasts through the night and into morning. At one point, Drunkards Four approaches a tree where blue paint which Jaguar Paw rubbed onto the tree, but he is bitten in the neck by an asp. Hanging Moss (Ariel Galvan) advises him to blood let for a quicker death. As the holcanes eventually catch up to Jaguar Paw, he is cornered and forced to leap over the edge of a high waterfall. He survives and stands on the riverbank, calling out to the holcanes that this is his forest and his descendants will continue to hunt in it. Impatient, Zero Wolf stabs Snake Ink when he suggests climbing down rather than jumping. Buzzard Hook (Ammel Rodrigo Mendoza) is the first to jump, but dies when he hits his head on a submerged rock. The others are luckier and continue their pursuit.As he flees, Jaguar Paw lands in a muddy sinkhole, but manages to climb out. After he does so, he pauses and decides that he is not afraid and will no longer run. As the holcanes approach, Jaguar Paw, covered in black mud, confronts them and tosses a live wasps' hive at them, instigating the wasps to attack. Jaguar Paw runs towards a stream where he finds a poison arrow frog and collects its venom on a few large thorns. He runs in a circle and hides in the reeds, waiting for the holcanes as thunder rolls overhead.Meanwhile, Seven attempts to escape the cistern by tossing a stalactite to the surface with the rope attached to it. She manages to climb halfway, but the rock dislodges, causing her to fall. Though she is barely hurt, her water breaks from the trauma.As the holcanes pass Jaguar Paw's hiding place, he takes a large leaf and rolls it into a blowgun. He fires his darts at Hanging Moss, already weakened by the wasp stings. As Hanging Moss falls to the ground, his cries attract Middle Eye, who runs back. Middle Eye comes face to face with Jaguar Paw and they run at each other, each eying the bludgeon that Hanging Moss dropped. Middle Eye swings his own as they approach each other and Jaguar Paw barely manages to duck, suffering a mild blow to the head. As he slides under Middle Eye's attack, Jaguar Paw picks up Hanging Moss' bludgeon and rises to strike Middle Eye in the temple. Middle Eye calls him Almost one last time as Jaguar Paw kills him with a blow under the chin. It suddenly begins to rain and Jaguar Paw races to the cistern, knowing that it will soon fill with water. Zero Wolf and the remaining holcanes, Monkey Jaw (Carlos Ramos) and Ten Peccary (Richard Can), see Middle Eye's body and Jaguar Paw racing into the forest. Enraged, Zero Wolf outruns the other two in his pursuit. Jaguar Paw gets to the cistern to find it filling with water and Seven in labor, screaming for him to hurry. An arrow narrowly misses Jaguar Paw and he runs into the jungle as Zero Wolf closes in. Monkey Jaw and Ten Peccary pause by the cistern to see Seven and Turtles Run at the bottom before resuming the chase.Jaguar Paw stops at a specific spot in the forest that he recognizes and turns to face Zero Wolf who shoots an arrow into his shoulder. Though wounded, Jaguar Paw stands, waits, and watches as Zero Wolf charges at him with his dagger drawn. Zero Wolf fails to notice a trip wire and sets off the tapir trap, becoming impaled on its sharp spikes. He dies as Monkey Jaw and Ten Peccary arrive. They chase Jaguar Paw to the beach where he collapses from exhaustion. When they catch up with him, they stop, staring at the sea where a small fleet of Spanish ships is anchored. Soldiers and missionaries are rowing to shore in small boats. Mesmerized, Monkey Jaw and Ten Peccary approach the shoreline while Jaguar Paw races back to the cistern. He finds that Seven has just given birth and pulls his family out of the cistern.Later, when the rain stops, Jaguar Paw carries his newborn son, followed by Seven and Turtles Run. They look back towards the Spanish ships and Seven asks if they should go to them. Jaguar Paw says that they should, instead, go to the forest and seek a new beginning.

Tags: suspenseful, cruelty, murder, realism, violence, horror, atmospheric, psychedelic, action, revenge, historical, sadist, prank

Review:
Whatever problems you might have with Gibson, from his personal politics to his previous work, there is no denying the determination of his vision, or the sheer sense of daring and imagination in attempting to pull off a project of this size and pitch; taking elements of an already well-documented real life civilisation and abstracting it for the purposes of dramatic tension, to create a once-in-a-lifetime cinematic experience that genuinely takes us to a world that we've never before experienced on film.In my opinion, it is the very essence of cinema; developing a story and reducing it to the most simple and iconic of images, placing the emphasis on family and a race for survival, and all captured with a skillful combination of design, editing, music, performance, choreography, photography and character.
Admittedly, you could always argue that the narrative is secondary to the atmosphere that Gibson and his crew so skilfully create, and yet, it is no less affecting or exciting as we come to know and respect these characters through the film's rich and amusing opening sequences - filled with a great sense of character and warmth - as well as a fairly pointed visual metaphor in the killing of an animal that will come to prefigure the subsequent actions of the final film.
To counter some of the criticisms levelled against Gibson by historians and scholars alike, it is worth taking into consideration the subtle way in which the director plays with the notions of myths and legends; creating a heightened atmosphere of continual stylisation that stresses the influence of a film like Apocalypse Now (1979) or Aguirre, Wrath of God (1972), with the fevered madness of the jungle giving way to an unforgettable depiction of the Maya civilisation as an infernal hell on earth.The film can also be read as a story-within-a-story construct, in which the film we see becomes an extension of the folktales being told by the tribe's elder as the men sit quietly around the campfire in the scenes directly preceding the carnage.
More fascinating than even that, however, is the notion of the film as a prolonged nightmare; with the scene of the initial massacre beginning immediately after Jaguar Paw awakes from a particularly frightening dream, rife with subtle allusions and a sub-textual foreshadowing to certain themes further developed throughout the rest of the film.For me, this interpretation makes a great deal of sense, with the opening sequences laying the foundation for Jaguar Paw's dream - as we are introduced to the ideas of family, loyalty, honour, death, fear and survival - and all represented by the image of the neighbouring villagers fleeing their homes and moving through the jungle as if escaping some foreboding evil; perhaps a foreshadowing to the plague subtext that will appear later?
Gibson's direction is faultless here; extending on the visual landscape and hyper-real approach to time and presentation that was developed in his previous film, the flawed though no less memorable The Passion of the Christ (2004), and continuing the idea of developing and exploring an entirely believable cinematic netherworld with roots in actual, documented fact.Here, the controversial approach to accuracy and truth should be overlooked; after all, the film isn't attempting documentary realism, as anyone who has experienced the film will know.
And though some have complained that the film's ending involves an historical inaccuracy, I think there was more than enough reason to put it in.There's a strong story that reminded me of other Third World folklore I've read, only better.
I think if Hollywood is up in arms it ought to be because Gibson is making them look inept.But as to this particular subject matter, there's no doubt in my mind that what fascinates most Anglos about the Aztecs and the Maya is the idea of human sacrifice.
I do not think movies get any better than this.I did note that the cynics said this film reflects Gibson' penchant for violence...?
Though I had no interest in the subject, I took a risk and just came back from seeing Mel Gibson's new flick and it is an exciting adventure which engages from the start with touches of humor that allow us to relate to the characters rather than hold them at a distance.The accusation that it portrays the people unfairly has no merit.
One can't help but feel supremely involved with this movie, as the viewer is lead through a vivid culture and world of which I personally believe (although perhaps not historically accurate) produced an accurate image of life and its intricacies.
This film simply more accurately depicts the events that take place during such trying times, and it is this unrelenting quality that I believe the majority of viewers who do not like this movie are maladaptive to.
I wouldn't pin it especially on the Maya.The spoken Mayan language (Yucatec), the actors and the incredible detail is what gives "Apocalypto" its air of authenticity and positively distinguishes it from "Hollywood" cinema in the bad sense, where foreigners still speak in broken English rather than in subtitles.
Against my better judgment I bought a ticket, fully prepared to be duped by Gibson once again.Mel, if you're reading this, all is forgiven."Apocalypto" is one of the most exciting, suspenseful, and original films I've ever seen.
I would be highly surprised if this did well at the box office due to the extreme gore, other language language(Americans don't like subtitles), long running time, and of course the now infamous name of Mel Gibson attached.
And despite having only worked on a few projects involving the Maya, I am well aware of the vast cinematic license used in Apocalypto - as well as the many aspects of Mayan life that the film's creators got right.
Rather, I want to appreciate the film for exactly what it is - an entertaining and heroic story set in ancient Mesoamerica with the usual Mel Gibson attention to atmospheric use of details.
Unlike some of Gibson's recent films, Apocalypto is a fairly straightforward adventure story with a lot of brutal action.
It also hints at subtle but intelligent critique of religious fanaticism, elitism and classism, and displays a great respect (though not exaggerated, worshipful or patronizing) for the living culture it loosely portrays.Acting: A Directing: A Cinematography: A+ Sets: A Costumes: A+ Story: BScript: B Historical Accuracy: C- (but who cares?)Worth seeing for adventure fans, and fans of ancient warfare films.
APOCALYPTO is obviously not historically accurate, anymore than the Myths of Odysseus (Ulysses), or Helen of Troy, or King Arthur are historically accurate.The film is not meant to be taken literally, it is told as a legend, and is a parable for the destruction of a culture from within by greed and blood lust.This is made clear with a quote which comes up before the story begins.I have never liked any of Mel Gibson's other films, but APOCALYPTO is a brilliant film all the way around-- acting, directing, cinematography, costumes, production design, you name it.It's the one film Gibson should have gotten the Oscar for, certainly not the overrated BRAVEHEART..
That is the feel and texture of this movie.Set during the final days of the great Mayan empire, starting out in the vast jungles, we meet a group of villagers who live in a world of tranquil serenity.
But the context of the blood letting is all in the story-- in fact, I'd say this: in my opinion, there is not one drop of gratuitous blood in this whole movie.Also, and bet your bottom dollar on this-- thank God for Mel Gibson and his independent streak!
Secondly, there may indeed be some minor authenticity problems (such as architecture, time-line issues, etc.), but they are not glaring IMO and they certainly don't detract from the story or disrupt belief.The look and feel of the film is brilliant, and it truly makes you believe that this is a different time and place, as opposed to some Hollywood period piece with the flavor-of-the-month "A" list celebrity as the main attraction.
That doesn't mean that the film is simple, but that the film has incredible non-stop action that will tell a story just as much as the sub-titles.And don't believe those idiot "I hate the Jew-hater Mel Gibson" crowd.
Two and a half hours of reading subtitles is about my limit and I'd really like to see Mel Gibson do a movie in English for a change.
The only thing I did not like about the movie was the cinematography, it was amateur at best, a lot of moving shots, and extreme close ups, in some parts of the movie I thought I was watching a student film, but that's only in some shots.
This is the very best of Mel Gibson, on par with Braveheart, but to me, even more impressive given the subject matter and the new ground broken by this film..
You know whats going to happen long before it does, and when it does, it looks good, but it's still not very fulfilling.The hype overstates the violence, which really isn't that graphic nor prolific and what there is fits within the story, nothing is gratuitous, neither does it do anything for the plot.To sum it up, this is a glorified chase movie, unfortunately the chase doesn't begin until over an hour in and even then you know exactly how it will end.If you enjoy cinematography then this is a treat.
To all those historians who gave this movie 1 star because it was all "lies" and "the Spaniards came a hundred years later" and "Mel's confusing the cultures of Mayan and Aztec", go read in the library and don't come out until you have enough facts to satisfy you with.
As it seems, there is a specific group of people who are ideologically unfit to judge Mel's work with fairness I believe the movie has lots to say but the basic message for me was "Don't be afraid." This message should be targeted right at the heart of Americans who are, according to Michael Morre's "Bowling for Columbine", the Nation with the highest fear factor, leaving far behind every other civilized nation in the "murders per inhabitant ratio" and being ready to follow their "leaders" in whatever bloody war they ask them to fight.
Mel Gibson was most definitely "off the wagon" during the making of his insanely entertaining Mayan epic "Apocalypto." Sometimes you need a slightly crazy director to make a truly engaging action film.Mel Gibson lives in a black and white world where the lines between good and evil are as clear as night and day.
The acting, all amateurs, is surprisingly good and a big plus for the film.Of course, what people come to see is the barbarism and violence that has become the signature of a Gibson production.
Combine that with fantastically paced foot chase scenes and a gritty earthy feel to the set designs, costumes, and makeup and you get a top notch period piece action adventure film.Gibson only vaguely alludes to the greatness of the actual Mayan civilization.
Mel Gibson makes himself a name as a director with movies like Braveheart and Passion, but this one is his best.The Cinematography is beautiful.
At heart, "Apocalypto" is a bombastic adventure film, great on the action, beautiful and grotesque at the same time, occasionally trashy (with a few outlandish moments, such as a hilarious birth scene), but boasting a proud, unique identity.Definitely worth seeing!.
As someone with roots in Southern Mexico, I have always been fascinated by the Mayan culture and was excited when I heard that Mel Gibson was making a film about their demise.
Don't allow yourself to be put off by the subtitles nor the recent comments made by Mel Gibson, nor should you be too put off by the harrowing scenes of gore and violence, as they are in context with the plot and the cultures depicted in the film, for if you do, you will be denying yourself a truly thrilling and utterly enjoyable spectacle of a movie.Stunningly shot, and brilliantly acted my in the most part a cast making their first acting experiences, the film will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, I had read many positive reviews of the film prior to watching, but still watched with an open mind, and was spellbound.Mel Gibson may have his faults, but as a director and storyteller, he excels, I was a massive fan of Braveheart, and for me this movie takes the enjoyment to a new level, a career best, although the film does suggest that it "borrows" from other movies in part, it has the feel of something very unique, certainly a film to watch again and again and will be a welcome addition to my DVD collection..
Despite the bloody scenes and the depiction of the Maya civilization as a rather aggressive and primitive culture, I have to say that one can take better messages out of this movie.For me, it was the strength of LOVE that saves us at the end of the day, the thought that even if we, humans, can be very destructive, there will always be strong people in this world to carry on with hope.
The movie is portraying the ancient world of Mesoamerican people, as well as tracking the end of the ancient civilizations, through the story of Jaguar's Paw - a captured warrior in a rescue to his family.Few things to point out about this movie: -This is action story narrated in good way -Very good music -Very good photography -Wonderful recreation of the ancient life -Not so bloody as described, but not for kids Now few details.Note: Previously, about this movie I wrote "Not historically precise", but now take my words back, since I learned, that both Mayas, Aztecs and Incas were conquered by the Spanish conquistadors.
I could go on and on about it, about how people are saying it's too violent, or it's not historically correct or about Mel Gibson being "nuts" these days, but I'm not, I'm writing this to tell you that it's a great film.
It is centric around one character in particular (i.e. Jaguar Paw) and how he tries his best to survive the brutal incidents that happened on his people.I don't know really if those killings and brutality that I saw in the movie is what the 'Maya' people used to do before their civilization was ended long time ago.
The movie is great and I think that is more than enough and whether this brutality actually occurred or not is really disturbing the greatness of this movie so I say this: Look into this movie from an artistic eye and forget what people say about its morality because once you do that, you are going to enjoy it as much as I did.Mel Gibson really did a great job on this one The direction couldn't be more beautiful It really shows you what you need to see and nothing else The evolvement of the characters as they grow more hatred and vengeance towards each other can be a hard thing to show and point out.
I am speechless after watching the new Mel Gibson movie Apocalypto.
Im basically just letting you know that if you are looking for something to dream of to look no further.Some PEOPLE think the movie falls short in the story, as in too little happens, well considering THEY recently watched LOTR or "Sin city" that may be an illegal and dumb type of parallel.
If this film does not win the Oscar for best cinematography I will be unhappy.Apocalypto may seem a little superhuman and over-the-top at times, but if you can just sort of ignore that small flaw and enjoy everything else about it, it is hands down one of, if not the best movie of 2006.Mel Gibson is certainly a very disturbed man...but, and I know many will disagree, I am willing to put behind his outbursts, accept his apology, and enjoy his stunning films.10/10..
It's a very well done and thought out film with very good action and suspense.Mel Gibson is a good director, he may be insane in real life but no one can deny that he knows how to make a film(I feel like that episode of South Park right now).
It is easily Mel Gibson's the best work so far and I am sure the film will grow in reputation as the years pass.
Plus I loved the fact that Mel Gibson made this movie to show some of the Mayan history which is not really represented in much of America unless you read books and watch documentaries.
Film Review of Mel Gibson's Apocalypto & Relevance to Sociology.
In the past Mel Gibson has done some entertaining films from his Mad Max and Lethal Weapon franchise to Payback and The Patriot, but as a director he has excelled from films like Braveheart to The Pasion Of The Christ And now Apocalypto and what a great movie it is.In the twilight of the Mayan culture, Jaguar Paw and some of his village natives is captured and taken to the mysterious Mayan city, where he faces a disturbing and untimely end.
In addition to this I felt the casting and acting was spot-on, especially since a lot of the actors were unknown and probably relatively inexperienced.Through a combination of great acting, casting and cinematography, the movie really provides to the viewer, a true sense of the nature of the emotions that Jaguar Paw and his friends are experiencing throughout their ordeal.Maximum credit to Mel Gibson for having the balls to do a film like this.
This was by far, hands down the best movie Mel Gibson has made.
After 'Passion of Christ' I was expecting another masterpiece, but Apocalypto has taken Mel Gibson even further towards one of the best film makers of our time.