JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonApocalypto (2006) - Trailer Included
April 23rd 2007 10:33
Apocalypto
Coming Soon To DVD: Released June 13 2007
Australian DVD Release - June 13 2007
Cinematography:Dean Semler
Starring:Rudy, Youngblood, Daliha Hernandez, Maria Isabele Diaz
"I am Jaguar Paw! This is my forest! My sons and their sons will hunt here after I am gone!" - Jaguar Paw
The Mayan culture is fascinating, historically balancing savage barbarism with an advanced knowledge of mathematics and astronomy. Thriving for around 500 years in the early AD’s, Apocalypto is set against a backdrop of the declining Mayan Civilization, just before the Spaniards came.
The word Apocalypto comes from the Greek to mean an unveiling or a new beginning. Spoken in the language, this vicarious, suspenseful and picturesque film opens with the hunt for fresh food, telling us much as the tribesmen employ their technology to efficiently slay the beast.
Scenes of tribal bonding follow, illustrating a healthy co-existence with nature and each other. Amongst the members of the native tribe we meet Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood), a loving father and husband who is destined to face obscene horrors when the village is raided by ravaging, brutal hordes from the regions ruling city.
Temporarily hiding his wife and child from an unspeakable fate, he is abducted and taken far away from his family. What follows is a violent and authentic tale of emotional anguish and physical torture while simultaneously captivating the eye and mind with haunting images that juxtapose beauty and ugliness.
Try doing that Johnny Weismuller, Im the new Tarzan!
John Doe says:
Apocalypto is a richly told adventure that is refined visual storytelling captivating through its unflinching lens as it dances with bold colours and digitally filtered sunlight. Dare I say resembling a Terence Mallick or Werner Herzog film at times?
Naturalistic cinematography, firmly grounded in reality is enhanced by grandiose camera movements that pull you into the moment. Capturing staged ferocity of staggering raw power, thankfully JD thinks the use of CGI possibly saved lives. (Who knows what Mel would have paid people to do on camera without the technology?)
Taking an easily recognized plot and streamlining the fictional essentials within an historical framework. The script communicates universal truths that relate to humanity at any stage of a self perceived civilization that operates under the notion of killing for peace.
The tension is unyielding, the action is visceral. Bordering on becoming a horror film at times, Apocalypto graphically comments on the primal, ugliness of war, how little we have evolved and finally how to break the stagnating, simple minded cycle of man’s inhumanity to man.
Most of the cast had never appeared before a camera before or had any acting lessons, like the extras in Baraka every face tells a story worth pausing and assessing.
John Doe is not a huge fan of Mel Gibson the actor, (Couldn’t care less what he does in his personal life) it would be lying not admit a love of the suicidal, borderline psychopathic Martin Riggs of Lethal Weapon 1 and a handful of others (EG: Mad Max, Gallipoli, Tim, Tequila Sunrise).
Underwelmed by Braveheart, Mel as Director surprised me with Passion of the Christ. (An amazing film about one mans refusal to kneel before Zod) Now this, Apocalypto is a complex singular vision, rendered with sharp clearness on every vividly balanced, binary boosted frame.
Repulsive to some with its honest depiction of conflict, it does work as purely entertainment for those in need of gut wrenching spectacle. If like JD you dissect and analyse a work for deeper meaning, this one stings with its depiction of love in a simpler time of our growth, marred by pain and suffering due to paranoia.
The DVD:
Transfer: Anamorphic Widescreen/5.1 Dolby Digital
Extras: Unpreviewed.
Watch the Trailer below
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Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
From the very first shot.
Given our recent disagreements, am am surprised that you were into this film. I really think Mel is a talented Director - if this is a sign of what's to come, then I'm hooked!
Another nicely written and insightful review, JD.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Werner Herzog is a tough person to be compaired to. If he is even half as good it should a great film.
Comment by Theresa
Vintage Culture
Technology Bloggers
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Anonymous Film Critic
Borderless World
Penny Smart
I'm going over to Netflix now
to put this movie on my list.
Compelling review!
Theresa
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
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Fat Cult
Techbreak
One great thing about Gibson, the director, is that he's fanatical about the realism of the environment he puts his films in.
Read my review, too!
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
It is hard not to be stunned by the skillful storytelling that takes you to another time and place. Helps that I am a massive Inca/Mayan fan too, plus Lord of The Flies had a profound effect on me that draws me to this subject.
Your right in assuming Mel isnt the sort I normally like, Braveheart annoyed the hell out of me.....Im not religious yet Passion touched me in the same way Sparticus did, a tale of sacrifice for belief in an ideal.
Damo,
Its not for everyone, but if your a fan of films like The Emerald Forest, Herzogs Fitzcaralldo and Terence Malick's The New World then you will find much to ponder. Visually it is unforgettable.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
It is not released in Oz till June, but if your in the states then its available now. Thanks for the kind words.
Hi Cib,
Forgot about your review sorry I would have linked to it in the main body of text.
Im with you on admiring Mel's attention to a detailed, rich enviroment.
Hi Bryn,
I only just saw it on a promo DVD the other day, kicking myself now for not visiting the cinemas....At the time the hype actually detered me...I thought if lots of people like it then it must have been toned down for mass consumption. An occassion I am happy to be wrong.
Agreed corker title.
Comment by Ginger Snap
Comment by charliesgirl_992000
Histeries, Mysteries and what not
Lifes little slices
Mystical Creativity
"Great piece!!" i love how you go into such detail. i loved this movie, although it was sad and gross.
Tammy
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Thanks for the kind words, glad to articulate what you saw.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
Thanks for directing me to your review, i really enjoyed it. When you say "rendered with sharp clearness" i totally understand what you mean, this film is high definition in every sense of the term.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Glad you enjoyed the review and excellent that you think my sentence rings true...
I appreciate the visit and look forward to further cinematic discussions..