"Apocalypto" review

Apocalypto (2006)

Directed by Mel Gibson
Writing credits Mel Gibson Farhad Safinia

Rudy Youngblood .... Jaguar Paw
Dalia Hernandez .... Seven
Jonathan Brewer .... Blunted
Morris Birdyellowhead .... Flint Sky
Carlos Emilio Baez .... Turtles Run

“Apocalypto” is one of the greatest jungle exploitation movies ever made. “Cannibal Holocaust” still rules the jungle but “Apocalypto” comes in a close second. Ruggero Deodato should be proud of the carnage he's helped inspire. We’ve come a long way from the days of “Cannibal Holocaust”. While Deodato’s film was vilified for excessive violence, Gibson’s movie may win awards.

“Apocalypto” is a bloody action movie. The only thing unique about it is that it has subtitles. The plot is no different than any movie starring Steven Seagal, Arnold Schwarzenegger or Mel Gibson. A man of peace, (“The Patriot”), has his family attacked in the jungle. While his pregnant wife and child stay behind at the village, he is dragged to a decadent city to be sacrificed. The rest of the movie has our hero using the jungle to get his revenge against his monstrous enemies, (“Predator”).

Mel Gibson is clearly a man who loves violence. I have only one thing to say about it. (Homer Simpson voice) WOO-HOO! “Apocalypto” was full of blood, guts, severed heads, hungry jaguars, and many scenes of sadism and dead bodies. I was in tears when I was watching it. Tears of joy! Here’s a man who explicitly understands what action fans want to see. My dad and I called each other after watching it. “How about those severed heads? After the third one rolled down the stairs, I was cheering.” There’s nothing like a violent jungle action movie to bring a family together.

So if you’re in the mood to see some jungle carnage, I strongly recommend “Apocalypto”. Don’t go into this movie thinking you’re going to get a thinking man’s discourse on the fall of the Mayan civilization. This is not a history lesson. "Apocalypto" showcases Mel Gibson’s skills in filming action and carnage. He does both very well.

SCORE: 3.5 out of 4 revenge-crazed action heros