I’ve been in the movie business for a couple of years now, and I know now never to trust anyone’s opinion of a film. I missed out on what I consider one of the greatest projects to hit the big screen and had to settle to watch it on a measly 42inch screen. Not only that, but Blockbuster didn’t have the title in Blu-Ray, so the whole high def stuff also went out the window. I mean fate must have had it in for me, because I had also just missed a free showing on Virgin 1 and ended up paying £3 to rent it. Why all the hassle? All because I listened to someone who said that the film was a disappointment, not worth me going to the cinema for it. I almost missed out on a film that ranks high in my top 10 favourite films ever.
So what is it that I am raving about? Well, it’s no other than Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto. I mean, fair enough its subtitled, but I was so engrossed in the humorous antics of Israel Ríos as Cocoa Leaf, the bloody scenes (and from a diehard fan of horrors and action films, there is a lot of cringe worthy scenes), and also the sad bits that I didn’t even notice I was reading the dialogue. This film has a little bit for everyone – except those who are under 18 (obviously!) – and I think Mel Gibson is an amazing director, writer and producer! His Passion of the Christ is the only film that’s made me cry near enough continuously and he has just gone and outdone himself again.
So what’s it all about? Well, it’s set in ancient Central America, during the declining period of the Maya civilization. Apocalypto depicts the journey of a Mesoamerican tribesman who must escape human sacrifice and rescue his family after the capture and destruction of his village. He is then taken on a perilous journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression where a harrowing end awaits him. Through a twist of fate and spurred by the power of his love for his woman and his family he will make a desperate break to return home and to ultimately save his way of life.
Mel Gibson only cast actors of Native American descent who were not known so that they could not be linked to previous roles, and it has Yucatec Maya dialogue.
All I’m saying is… please visit a Blockbuster near you and watch this.