Apocalypto - film of the day

[aardvark]

Just seen Barry Norman's Film of the Day last sunday was Apocalypto - 4 stars in RT. I think the DVD box says something like...brilliant entertainment, a film to watch again and again.

I'd watched it a few days before, lent me by a sunny young friend. I was curious and just about made it to the end, but had to watch chunks through criss-crossed fingers, reading the subtitles and fast-forwarding. It seemed to me like thuddering, juddering, thunking gore and horror from start to finish - disturbing, unredeemed by anything much, and certainly not for MY repeated entertainment!

Is this an age thing...I'm 59? But then Barry Norman can't be in his first youth, nor Mel Gibson for that matter. Perhaps I'm just a lily-livered old cissy. Lots of good reviews on Amazon, both sexes, prob all ages. Wonder if others share my reaction - maybe some younger viewers find it (and similar films) a bit much, some older ones may find it fine?

[Wolfgang]

I think Apocalypto in fantastic, it is like some sort of Mayan version of Mad Max.

[batman]

I posted this in 'Watched Last Night' the other day ....

Apocalypto - Mel Gibson's film about the ancient Mayan civilisation. This is a brutal and very graphic portrayal of the more violent aspects of Mayan 'culture'. I am not an expert in such matters but I think it likely that the Mayans did have a more pleasant side to their nature than what is portrayed here. Technically the film is a triumph, with Gibson's direction and the photography both being superb. However, the unrelenting grimness of the film is somewhat off-putting. although I did stick with it till the very end. These sort of jungle shenanigans used to be referred to as 'video nasties' .... how times have changed. Approach with caution.

[jaycad]

are the british 'the baddies' in 'apocalypto' like in all other films involving mel gibson?

[batman]

There are no British in Apocalypto.

[jaycad]

There are no British in Apocalypto.

that doesn't usually stop gibson from blaming the british for something!
seriously though,i have avoided watching the film because i'm too easily distracted by subtitles.

[David Challinor]

It's a brilliant film...maybe watch it in five minutes bits Jaycad. I don't know anyone who doesn't think Apocalypto is a major achievement

[jaycad]

It's a brilliant film...maybe watch it in five minutes bits Jaycad. I don't know anyone who doesn't think Apocalypto is a major achievement

so i've been told! i managed to watch 'the passion of the christ' despite its mel gibson links (ironic theme eh mel?) and aramaic/latin dialogue-i cannot remember if it was heavily subtitled though?

[GRAEME]

are the british 'the baddies' in 'apocalypto' like in all other films involving mel gibson?

Er... which films would those be?

There is the Patriot. But if you are thinking about Braveheart, I think you'll find that the goodies are as "British" as the baddies!

Mel may be anti-English, but that is not the same thing...

[jaycad]

Er... which films would those be?

There is the Patriot. But if you are thinking about Braveheart, I think you'll find that the goodies are as "British" as the baddies!

Mel may be anti-English, but that is not the same thing...

ha ha- that is a very good point!(in my head i meant 'anti-english') anyway,mel is a mad,racist bully and i don't like him!

[zettel45]

I don't know anyone who doesn't think Apocalypto is a major achievement

You do now.

For all its pretensions to seriousness and veracity (the subtitles, high production values etc) I thought it was a very dumb movie indeed. The bit with the solar eclipse was not so much a straw as an anvil that broke this particular camel's back. After that it was hard to take the film at all seriously as it clunked with painful predictability towards its cliched ending.

Stylishly made, very violent (that didn't trouble me at all, btw) but without any genuine substance. Frankly, if Apocalypto is a "major achievement" then so is Predator.

[will.15]

I am waiting for the day Mel Gibson has the courage to make the movie he really wants to make, Springtime for Hitler without musical numbers or jokes.

[aardvark]

Just seen Barry Norman's Film of the Day last sunday was Apocalypto - 4 stars in RT.

Barry Norman did say 'not for the squeamish', and I guess I'm that.

Squeamish = avoid major violence = don't keep up or get conditioned.

Wolfgang, batman, David et al - your posts were really interesting to me and gave me lots to think about - including my own preconceptions and cosy corners. A good place to start.

I may take a gulp and watch Apocalypto again one of these days - and try The Passion too. Remembering the slim shoulders of Jaguar Paw and his wife (beautifully played), and their epic bravery, has made me think of Dickens's 'the principle of Good surviving through every adverse circumstance'

The film that nearly gave me a heart attack was United 93. I suddenly realised my heart was racing like the clappers, and thought I might drop dead on the spot, Hula Hoop in mouth.

Thanks all.