As the Mayan kingdom faces its decline, the rulers insist
the key to prosperity is to build more temples and offer human sacrifices.
Jaguar Paw, a young man captured for sacrifice, flees to avoid his fate.
Director: Mel Gibson
Writers: Mel Gibson, Farhad Safinia
Stars: Gerardo Taracena, Raoul Max Trujillo, Dalia Hernández
Storyline
In the Maya civilization, a peaceful tribe is brutally
attacked by warriors seeking slaves and human beings for sacrifice for their
gods. Jaguar Paw hides his pregnant wife and his son in a deep hole nearby
their tribe and is captured while fighting with his people. An eclipse spares
his life from the sacrifice and later he has to fight to survive and save his
beloved family.
Box Office
Budget: $40,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend: $15,005,604 (USA) (8 December 2006)
Gross: $50,859,889 (USA) (2 March 2007)
User Reviews
Tonight I went to an advance screening of Mel Gibson's new
film Apocalypto. This is an interesting movie for many reasons, the first being
its Mayan language. I am hearing that this is actually considered a foreign
film by the Golden Globes because of it, regardless of the movie originating
from America.
This could be written off as a gimmick, but it is one of the film's strongest
points, the movie looks, feels, and sounds(despite for a few lines that needed
to be edited out) authentic.
What this movie is is gory. It is one of the bloodiest
movies I have seen and should be avoided if blood bothers you. Here is a great
scenic moment from the film. If this sounds too much for you than stay away
because yes, it gets much worse.
The captives are brought in covered in blue paint. They look
up at the top of a vast temple where an executioner is thanking the lords as he
rips the hearts out and decapitates their fellow men. The heads roll down the
long stair case followed soon after by their bodies. The heart is put on hot
rocks and thousands up people cheer. There are hundreds of heads on steaks all
around.......
This is the first movie I have ever been to where people
actually walked out of the theater.
Getting back to the movie itself there are quite a few good
qualities as well. The acting is superb all around, I actually cared about the
main character and his family. The prophecy made by the sick girl is a clever
piece of writing as well as the dream the main character has. The empire of the
main tribe is quite amazing and will take your breath away in both its horror
and its beauty.The early scenes of humor are very nice and help us appreciate
the characters and a nice break from the extreme violence that follows. The
movie looks amazing, the characters designs and costumes are well done as is
the sets. Finally, superb direction by Mel Gibson make all of this work
together quite well.