Replenished Gibson presents the epic to end all epics

“Apocalypto”
Starring: Rudy Youngblood
4 stars out of 4


Having seen previews for “Apocalypto” months and months ago, I looked at it as another risky gamble from controversial director Mel Gibson that probably wouldn’t pan out with major audiences, or even anyone. Gibson has a gift behind the camera that few possess. He shoots in exotic locations and his costumes and set designs are beyond exceptional, that along with bold storytelling make “Apocalypto,” one of this year’s best.

As the Maya kingdom faces its decline, the rulers insist the key to prosperity is to build more temples and offer human sacrifices. Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood), a young man chosen for sacrifice, flees the kingdom to avoid his fate. Leaving his son and pregnant wife behind, Jaguar knows he must escape his captors and return to his family. Although the film is completely in Mayan, the English subtitles have no distractions towards the film.

Gibson is so talented with his original and lost material, I have honestly never set a glance on the images and moments Gibson creates in this epic story of survival. He places his main character Jaguar in so much danger and near death that the audience is always gasping during his fleeing scene, which is the whole 2nd half of the movie. The first half is all leading up to it, the civilization is crumbling, and more are needed to be sacrificed. When you watch the film, you will constantly become baffled at how they shot some of the scenes, and how much research had gone into this, although it won’t garner any acting nominations, it should be a lock for makeup, cinematography, and costume design. Since the competition will be rather stiff for foreign language film, and Gibson’s stagnant reputation, the academy could shy away from the film altogether.

If there were any negative aspects of the film, I’d say the dialogue could have been tweaked, and the lack of a larger storyline, although what was in front of me was ambitious and non-stop great filmmaking. Mel Gibson should really consider staying out of the public eye, and focus on being behind the camera more, when he is, he makes outstanding, and thought provoking material. For its braveness and pure heart, “Apocalpyto,” is a very straightforward film about the beginning of the end, and what is to come afterwards. I was thrilled for 2 and half hours