Apocalypto is like nothing I have seen on film for a long time, a totally unique film experience. I was apprehensive going in...in fact I must admit I tuned out after 15 minutes my first time, but when I stuck it out the second time, I was blown away. I think this is one of the best movies of a notoriously weak movie decade (V for Vendetta, The Hurt Locker and Children of Men are other candidates) and is definitely the most original.
The film is set in Mexico during the Mayan civilization and early on a Mayan camp is attacked by another tribe and Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood) and others are taken prisoner and are to be sacrificed to the gods. The scene at the temple where the sacrifices occur is fascinating and is cut short by a solar eclipse. Apparently the gods are appeased and a few Mayans are spared, including Jaguar Paw.
It seems being spared from sacrifice in those days wasn't necessarily such a good thing because what they have the rest of the prisoners do instead hardly seems better, but at least there is a slight chance for survival. If there is a chance for survival, Jaguar Paw's the kind of warrior who is going to find it, and this is where the movie really accelerates and becomes an exhilarating run through the jungle with Jaguar Paw being chased by a group of his captors.
I've spared you from much of the detail so that, in case you haven't seen this movie, you will enjoy it all the more. Jaguar Paw is very resourceful to say the least and by the time this chase is over you will be drained. It's awesome...hats off to Mel Gibson for giving us this fresh, original film. You can see elements of "Braveheart" and "Passion of the Christ" in this film, however for a purely mesmerizing and unique entertainment experience, I think Apocalypto may be the best of them all.
The film is set in Mexico during the Mayan civilization and early on a Mayan camp is attacked by another tribe and Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood) and others are taken prisoner and are to be sacrificed to the gods. The scene at the temple where the sacrifices occur is fascinating and is cut short by a solar eclipse. Apparently the gods are appeased and a few Mayans are spared, including Jaguar Paw.
It seems being spared from sacrifice in those days wasn't necessarily such a good thing because what they have the rest of the prisoners do instead hardly seems better, but at least there is a slight chance for survival. If there is a chance for survival, Jaguar Paw's the kind of warrior who is going to find it, and this is where the movie really accelerates and becomes an exhilarating run through the jungle with Jaguar Paw being chased by a group of his captors.
I've spared you from much of the detail so that, in case you haven't seen this movie, you will enjoy it all the more. Jaguar Paw is very resourceful to say the least and by the time this chase is over you will be drained. It's awesome...hats off to Mel Gibson for giving us this fresh, original film. You can see elements of "Braveheart" and "Passion of the Christ" in this film, however for a purely mesmerizing and unique entertainment experience, I think Apocalypto may be the best of them all.