(Spoilers) Toward the end of the Mayan Civilization, human sacrifices became rampant. To please the gods, many Mayans were sacrificed. Jaguar Paw has a different fate. He must escape captivity and rescue his wife and child in a hole. Thus begins the dramatic chase from his captors. And it is a pretty intense one as well. Look for the scene when the Kaing asks Jaguar Paw..”Do you know what real love is, Jaguar....Sacrifice...shing...shing.”(End of Spoilers)
Mel Gibson is no stranger to violence and gore. It started out in Braveheart 12 years ago and continues today. Some of you may remember The Passion of The Christ. The movie had a lot of violence but for some reason Christians came in droves to see Jesus get tortured and nailed to a cross. The most effective part of that movie was the non-torture sequence which took place during the last supper. The rest of the movie contained scenes of Jesus carrying the cross and dropping it in slow-motion. Thankfully Apocalypto has few slow-mo scenes and no scenes of Mayans dropping crosses in slow-mo. That doesn't mean there isn't violence. There is plenty of that to go around.
There are Giant Mantha's that torture humans and get tortured themselves. There are plenty of shing moments as well. Basically what this movie comes down to is a survival/run for your life pick. People expecting a love story or something with a little more sentiment should stay away. It is definitely the balls to the wall picture of the year.
So what did I think of it? Well first of all, the theater was jammed full with a large Native American crowd and and many people brought kids and babies to this movie. If the Mayans had movie theaters in the 1500s, they would of killed anyone who talked or had a cell phone. Unfortunately for our society, stupid people insist on bringing kids to graphic R-Rated movies and talking during the picture. There was a guy two seats from me who kept on talking to his girl friend and was like, "Oh, I bet he is going to run into that shing thing or Oh, I bet he is going to get his head shinged off." Can't people watch a movie with their fucking mouth shut? It shouldn't be that hard. I know I saw R movies when I was young but that was at home and under the watchful eyes of my parents. At home, it's ok to talk as well because you aren't fucking up other peoples movie experience. I didn't pay $8 to hear some guy tell his girl friend the movie play by play....Schweew.
Well glad I got off that tangent. Anyway, the movie was pure entertainment and extremely watchable. The action is top notch and Mel sure knows how to direct a historical epic piece. I would like to see Mel make a movie about any ancient subject out there. He is good at it. The detail in the movie is good too and the subtitles didn't bother me at all. I would recommend this movie to anyone who is interested in history and balls to the wall action. I didn't think once of Mel's drunken rant and I forgive him for that. People do screw up and say things they regret sometimes, it doesn't take away their tallent. At the end of the movie, most of the crowd applauded. I don't think it will get an Oscar but it should for Cinematography. Anyway, 3.5 stars out of 4. One of the years better flicks.
Minutes before a Giant Black Mantha jumps out and eats this dude. It shows proof that Mantha's can only take so much before dishing it out themselves.
The Kaing: "I am the god of Passgassgus and I demand a tribute from each of you. You shall each flatch in my face before I flatch myself and dwell in it. Bow my followers, and let thy bowels rejoice."
The heart of the mantha, being explained to a Mayan on a wall.