APOCALYPTO (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì 

Apocalypto—classic Mel Gibson-directed film—tells its hardcore Mayan story without a flinch. The movie realistically depicts the Mayan culture and the moral decay it had sunk to before its final collapse. This film terrifically allows Gibson to show his talent both as a storyteller and director. BRAVO! for the realism in portrayal of storyline, casting choices, costuming and makeup, and the ability to maintain riveted audience involvement up to its last scene. WOW! This is a ‘do not miss’ movie that adequately covers the final reality of Mayan culture.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

Mayan raiders, looking for sacrificial victims, destroy a small village and carry off its survivors. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Mel Gibson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Vicki Christianson and Ned Dowd for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood), Seven (Dalia Hernández), Blunted (Jonathan Brewer), Flint Sky (Morris Birdyellowhead), Turtles Run (Carlos Emilio Báez), Curl Nose (Amilcar Ramírez), Smoke Frog (Israel Contreras), Cocoa Leaf (Israel Ríos), Mother in Law (Isabel Díaz), Old Story Teller (Espiridion Acosta Cache), Young Woman (Mayra Serbulo), and Sky Flower (Iazua Larios). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It could easily be said that only Mel Gibson could have pulled this story into the main arena with the power, finesse, and humanity that he did. The horror peaks in this film with well-sequenced flashes between life/death and the struggle of one family’s will to survive despite insurmountable odds. Outstanding adult watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers