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The best thing about the hyper-violent and captivating “Apocalypto” is its fresh creative energy: There are no other mainstream action movies that are also period pieces in a foreign language, and it’s unlikely any more are on their way. Yet here is a beautifully-shot, pulse-pounding journey to a far away time and place that is wonderfully entertaining.
The story takes place 500 years ago during the waning days of the Mayan empire in Central America. In the opening sequence we meet Flint Sky (Morris Birdyellowhead), a sage tribal elder who still has much to teach his son Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood). “Fear is a disease. Strike it from your heart,” Flint Sky tells him, and Jaguar Paw has no choice but to do so after their village is overtaken over by a group of sadistic warriors led by villains Zero Wolf (Raoul Trujillo) and Snake Ink (Rodolfo Palacios). With his pregnant wife (Dalia Hernandez) and young son (Carlos Emilio Baez) safely trapped in a cave, Jaguar Paw and his fellow villagers are dragged to the central Maya City to be sold, traded and sacrificed to the gods.
And yes, this means “sacrificed” in the most barbaric way imaginable. Director Mel Gibson has never been a stranger to violence (“Braveheart” and “The Passion of the Christ”), and here he takes decapitation and heart removal to a new, almost spiritual level. It’s brutal, sure, but not excessive; it’s clear that Gibson is trying to shock and move us, not gross us out.
Kudos to the cast of unknowns for learning their lines in Yucatec Maya, a language that’s all but extinct today, and for enduring countless hours of hair and body makeup to create a distinct look for each character. As Jaguar Paw, Youngblood stands out with an innocent face that is consumed by fear and then courage, all of which allows him to grow up right before our eyes.
Gibson’s record of success when given creative control is undeniable, and here again he proves how talented a craftsman he is. The story’s epic feel is incredibly engrossing once Jaguar Paw’s village is captured. Co-writers Gibson and Farhad Safinia should’ve gotten to this point sooner, however; the lengthy exposition gives more background information than is necessary, which adds up in a 138-minute movie.
If this means Gibson was a little overindulgent with what he included, it’s hard to blame him. Technically, the film is a masterpiece. Aside from the foreign dialect, the film was shot with exquisite beauty by cinematographer Dean Semler in the middle of a Mexican rainforest. The production design, costumes and makeup/hair are truly unique and authentic, and clearly reflect the work of a man who has passion for his project and the talent to make it all come together.
That “Apocalypto” is well made is not a surprise. It will be interesting, though, to see how much Gibson’s recent anti-Semitic tirade will affect the box office take, which already has a questionable outlook given that the movie is subtitled, long and without a clear target audience. This much is for sure: those who go will be in for a truly unique experience that they’ve probably never seen before, and will likely never see again.
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floresmiami
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... I really appreciated the take on this film. The fact that it was not directed to any group was a plus. It brought something really fresh, and it really delivered action as I imagined. I can't wait for another film like this. |
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