Apocalypto (Film Review)

2006 Buena Vista Pictures
Directed by: Mel Gibson; Written by: Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey
Starring: Rudy Youngblood, Raoul Trujillo, Mayra Sérbulo, Dalia Hernández, Jonathan Brewer, Gerardo Taracena, Rodolfo Palacios, Bernardo Ruiz Juarez, Ammel Rodrigo Mendoza, Ricardo Diaz Mendoza, and Israel Contreras
MPAA Rating: R; Running Time: 138 Minutes
The Nicsperiment Score: 10/10


Jaguar Paw lives an idyllic existence. He hunts for food with the men of his Mesoamerican village, led by his wise and kind father. His wife and son love him, and he's got another child on the way. He and his fellow villagers live in peace and harmony with one another, and with the dangerous jungle that surrounds them. One day, Jaguar Paw's hunting party comes across a tribe full of injured people, who seem to be fleeing from some evil force. That night, in bed with his family, Jaguar Paw has nightmares, only to be awakened by something even worse than what he's dreamed of: a raiding party from a huge, decaying Mayan civilization has arrived...and they're looking for sacrifices. Can Jaguar Paw save his family? Will his way of life ever be the same?
Look, Mel Gibson is nuts. The guy has done and said so many crazy things, it's impossible to keep up. It's a huge shame, as Gibson is an absolute ace filmmaker. I don't know if his insanity is what makes these movies possible, or just a detriment holding him back from creating even more great films. Whatever the case, Apocalypto is an incredible work that could have only come from Mel Gibson. What other filmmaker, working with these kinds of resources, would film a big-budget period piece, using only indigenous actors, speaking only in an ancient language? Apparently, Gibson and screenwriter, Bruce Davey, had the impetus to create the most stripped-down chase film ever. They have taken away all technology, and put their lead, an incredible Rudy Youngblood, in a position where he is running and fighting for his life in the most heightened, hyperreal situation imaginable. Gibson also wanted to portray how a civilization fails and decays, purposely and successfully drawing parallels between the United States and the ancient Mayan Empire of his film. The messages here against decadence, overconsumption, and corruption are timeless.
All of that is great, but the truth is this: Apocalypto absolutely swallows you. From the start, Gibson creates an immersive world, brilliantly shot by cinematographer, Dean Semler, that captures the viewer and never lets go. Gibson spends just enough time with Jaguar Paw's tribe at the start, even delving into how they joke with and prank one another, until you're fully invested, and know just what's at stake. When the threat comes, though, the film is absolutely relentless, brutal, and dangerous, and doesn't let up until the final minutes. Few if any films from the 00's are this transportive and visceral. There's a reason well-respected and legendary directors like Spike Lee, Quentin Tarantino, and Martin Scorsese all swear by Apocalypto's greatness. Gibson's last film of the 00's brings the goods. Hopefully he can get out of his own way to make a few more.