Let me start out by saying that I thin Mel Gibson is a douchebag. He's been fooling people for years, playing the good guy, and publically he's shown that he's an ass.
But damn, this guy can make a period piece. The Passion of Christ was an incredible movie, and here he follows it up with a look at what I believe to be Mayan, I wasn't sure.
Apocalypto is the story of family, whose lives are thrown in turmoil by the attack of a larger tribe. This is back in I'm guessing the 1600's, maybe early 1700's, so these people are nothing more than savages. But they are really humanized by the director. You see them laugh, and kid, and love...making you realize that people are the same, no matter where they are, or what era.
But the tribe is attacked, and Jaguar Paw manages to hide his pregnant wife, and son, in a well, then is captured by the other tribe.
They are marched Bataan style to the other tribe, which isnt really a tribe, to a large city. On the way, a little girl with "the sickness" prophesizes a string of events, and shocker of shockers, she's balls on accurate.
In the city you see dancing, human sacrifice, corrupt politicians...an early Washington D.C. Luckily, an eclipse comes, which sets off a series of events to where Jaguar Paw manages to escape, and the race is on to his home village, to beat the rain, and save his wife and child.
I won't give details, but I really enjoyed the movie, even with the subtitles. You are drawn into the characters, and the photography and scenes are beautiful. The story is pretty predictable, with just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The actors are what make it. By no means did they get beautiful people to play all the roles. Granted they weren't meant to be beautiful in the settings, but you believe that they would look like they do.
All in all, I give it a 9 out of 10. The movie played right up my alley, with lots of things I enjoy. Good conversation, half naked women, and a monkey fight...what more could you want. But give it a try, I think you'll enjoy it too!
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