(2006) Dir: Mel Gibson
(Contains Spoilers)
Apocalypto follows the story of Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood) and his tribe as their tranquil jungle village comes under threat from external forces.
Apocalypto is not an insightful, exploration into the history and culture of Mayan society, instead, it’s more like a Mad Max action movie or Western revenge flick set in the lush South American jungle. Moving at a break neck pace, torturing our hero and supplying him with a series of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, all so he can be reunited with his family.
It looks gorgeous. With the overgrown, vibrant jungle contrasting with the arid, deathly city. The costumes and production design are also exquisite. The whole thing looked and felt real and lived in which added an authenticity to it.
I liked how the thesis was that the tribe in the woods aren't savages. They're a happy, peaceful people who respect the forest and hold family and the community as the most important aspects of life. Whereas it's civilization, power and religion that turns people into savages.
However, they do sort of abandon these themes as soon as it was getting interesting, before really diving into them or the civilization itself. We are brought into the Mayan city and see the people, their culture and their rituals first hand but simply as an outsider observing. Instead opting for a chase through the woods for the rest of the movie.
Which I'm conflicted about because I really enjoyed said chase. The jaguar run was excellent as was Jaguar Paw using his knowledge of the forest to pick off his pursuers.
Mel is clearly a gifted filmmaker, but he has a tendency to show as well as tell. Turn off the subtitles and you’d be able to follow the story perfectly. But instead the Americanism-infused dialogue can tend to feel clunky and over-explanatory at times.
There are also some plot holes that need to be addressed. How much abuse can Jaguar Paw take? Trekked through the jungle without much rest, food or water, then gets a spear through the side, runs the whole way back to his camp, shot with an arrow in the chest, and he’s grand. The arrival of the Conquistadors at the end also seemed like a dues ex machina. Although I liked how the end mirrored the beginning, with everything foreshadowed from the tapir trap to the "new beginning" people to the boats on the beach.
Overall its well acted, exciting and beautifully shot featuring breathtaking locations and production design.