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Amazon.co.uk Reviews
Forget any off-screen impressions you may have of Mel Gibson, and experience Apocalypto as the mad, bloody runaway train that it is. The story is set in the pre-Columbian Maya population: one village is brutally overrun, its residents either slaughtered or abducted, by a ruling tribe that needs slaves and human sacrifices. We focus on the capable warrior Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood), although Gibson skillfully sketches a whole population of characters--many of whom don't survive the early reels. Most of the film is set in the dense jungle, but the middle section, in a grand Mayan city, is a dazzling triumph of design, costuming, and sheer decadent terror. The movie itself is a triumph of brutality, as Gibson lets loose his well-established fascination with bodily mortification in a litany of assaults including impalement, evisceration, snakebite, and bee stings. It's a dark, disgusted vision, but Gibson doesn't forget to apply some very canny moviemaking instincts to the violence--including the creation of a tremendous pair of villains (strikingly played by Raoul Trujillo and Rodolfo Palacias). The film is in a Maya dialect, subtitled in English, and shot on digital video (which occasionally betrays itself in some blurry quick pans). Amidst all the mayhem, nothing in the film is more devastating than a final wordless exchange of looks between captured villager Blunted (Jonathan Brewer) and his wife's mother (Maria Isabel Diaz), a superb change in tone from their early relationship. Yes, this is an obsessive, crazed movie, but Gibson knows what he's doing. --Robert Horton
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Mel Gibson chose Rudy Youngblood to play Jaguar Paw because he could run like a deer, and this kind of energy sets the standard for the film. Not only is there non stop action, taking place in a Rain Forest setting with hunting Tapir, war between tribes, and a simulated 175 foot leap over what appears to be Iguasau Falls, but the film is also a great artistic feat. 700 extras where made up and costumed by 200 artists in authentic Mayan style designed by Mayes Rebeo, each day, representing precious Jade inlays, trbal scarification, and tatoos. A Mayan city was built with Tom Sanders designs, including Pyramid Temples, at Veracruz, and Anna Roth chose Catemaco in Mexico for the village location of six months.
Within the brutal and yet sophisticated Mayan culture, were already the elements on its own destruction; deforestation, pollution of agricltural land, superstition, and slavery. Simon Atherton invented and researched the weapons, which feature extensively. The Human sacrifice of captives as a way of thanking and appeasing their Gods was in practise when Christopher Columbus on his fourth expedition with four ships to Central and South America encountered the Mayans. This meeting of 1502 is the first recorded encounter by Europeans, and this scene as Jaguar Paw runs exhausted onto a beach, after killing Mayan commander, Zero Wolf (Raul Trujillo) with a Tapir trap, still chased by two of his sons, was the first one shot. The shock of this strange encounter allows young finely tuned Jaguar Paw to escape and rescue his infant son and wife (Itandehui Gutierrez), who has just given birth in a flooded cave. The two warriors switch their attention to the strange men rowing ashore.
The action is complemeted by heart racing drum beats and Asian Tantra-like intonations for a realistic and enthralling 132 minutes. The music is composed by James Horner, with vocals by Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn, and Terry Edwards. Special features include interviews, and a very entertaining and off beat commentary by Writers/Directors/Producers Mel Gibson and Farhad Safina. This is a unique film operating on many levels, and one cerainly not to be missed.
Within the brutal and yet sophisticated Mayan culture, were already the elements on its own destruction; deforestation, pollution of agricltural land, superstition, and slavery. Simon Atherton invented and researched the weapons, which feature extensively. The Human sacrifice of captives as a way of thanking and appeasing their Gods was in practise when Christopher Columbus on his fourth expedition with four ships to Central and South America encountered the Mayans. This meeting of 1502 is the first recorded encounter by Europeans, and this scene as Jaguar Paw runs exhausted onto a beach, after killing Mayan commander, Zero Wolf (Raul Trujillo) with a Tapir trap, still chased by two of his sons, was the first one shot. The shock of this strange encounter allows young finely tuned Jaguar Paw to escape and rescue his infant son and wife (Itandehui Gutierrez), who has just given birth in a flooded cave. The two warriors switch their attention to the strange men rowing ashore.
The action is complemeted by heart racing drum beats and Asian Tantra-like intonations for a realistic and enthralling 132 minutes. The music is composed by James Horner, with vocals by Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn, and Terry Edwards. Special features include interviews, and a very entertaining and off beat commentary by Writers/Directors/Producers Mel Gibson and Farhad Safina. This is a unique film operating on many levels, and one cerainly not to be missed.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I was not sure what to expect as I had not paid much attention to the trailer for this. If you have not seen it, then you simply must. The film is about the Mayan civilisation . Jaguar Paw's journey is one viewers really connect with. It's one of those films where you simply can't describe it well enough, it must be viewed. I was left exhausted when it finished, I felt as I had run every step with Jaguar Paw!
Top class from Mel Gibson, absolutely brilliant!
Top class from Mel Gibson, absolutely brilliant!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Finally we have an antidote to the vacuous , multi-cultural rubbish of Hollywood like ''dances with wolves '' and the juvenile nonsense of the harmonious native cultures that were in reality , primitive , gruesome and cruel
Thank you Mel Gibson for having the courage to show what ''new world'' native culture was really all about ....BRAVO
Thank you Mel Gibson for having the courage to show what ''new world'' native culture was really all about ....BRAVO
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fantastic
I bought this hoping that I could cope with sitting through a sub titled foreign language film.
Within minutes I had forgotten I was having to read what was being said as... Read more
Within minutes I had forgotten I was having to read what was being said as... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Kevin P. Neal
Imaginative reconstruction
Interesting as an attempt by an independently-minded star to step out and expand. I suspect the marketing department made their mark though - the title is odd; and what does 'No... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Rerevisionist
awful
All bloody action and no story at all. Great if you love explosions on film. Awful if you want something additional.
Published 3 months ago by Jackal
wow!!
Captivating!!!...Brilliant...not much words can be used...its a Must Watch!!..'like being tied to a heart defibrillator for two hours.immense!'...thumbs up Mel Gibson et al!!
Published 3 months ago by kenny
Inspired
What a fantastic film - this film contains one of the most exciting chase sequences ever made - together with an amazing portrayal of two ancient cultures. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Victoria
It took my breath away
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant !!!
The film was magical and simply took my breath away.
I don't want to compare it with any other films, Apocalypto is simply unique and... Read more
The film was magical and simply took my breath away.
I don't want to compare it with any other films, Apocalypto is simply unique and... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Diana
Apocalypto dvd
Very pleased with my purchase.It arrived quickly,and in excellent condition.Picture quality excellent.It also contains bonus features as well. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Fb
AWESOME!!!
I loved it. Got it after visiting the ruins in Copan and Tikkal. Such an exciting film, yes gruesome in parts but very insightful! Go on Jaguar Paw!!! :)
Published 8 months ago by savagecabbage
Amazing Movie
I love this movie--one of my all time favourite movies! Shipping was good--fairly quick and well-packaged. All in all great!
Published 10 months ago by gofran
not for everyone
Anyone lucky enough to have had a tour of Peru or Mexico will probably want to see this film, but most people would find it hard to stomach. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mrs. G. M. Mulley
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