Apocalypto, Variety's review.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 4:49pm

"Mel Gibson is always good for a surprise, and his latest is that "Apocalypto" is a remarkable film. Set in the waning days of the Mayan civilization, the picture provides a trip to a place one's never been before, offering hitherto unseen sights of exceptional vividness and power. In the wake of its director's recent outburst and unwanted publicity, commercial prospects remain anyone's guess, and those looking for a reason not to attend will undoubtedly find one, be it Gibson's tirade, the gore, the subtitles or outre subject matter. But blood-and-guts action audiences should eat this up, Gibson is courting Latinos, eco-political types will like the message and at least part of the massive "The Passion of the Christ" crowd should be curious, so strong biz is possible if these distinct constituencies are roused."

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"The long central section of "Apocalypto" is simply great epic cinema, with generous dollops of chilling horror and grisly human sacrifice. Production designer Tom Sanders makes a huge contribution to the captives' gradual entry into the great and chaotic Maya City. Each neighborhood is brilliantly detailed, from the derelict outlying shantytown to the industrial and more prosperous commercial districts, the slave market where the women are sold off and, finally, the staggering central plaza, where the first thing seen is a freshly detached human head being bounced down the long steps of a towering pyramid toward a frenzied crowd below."

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Notwithstanding the fantastic sets, costumes, makeup, body and hair designs and natural locations, perhaps the greatest impression is made by the performers' faces, which are superbly photogenic and unlike any normally seen in movies. The attractive, agile Youngblood carries the film with room to spare, and is entirely convincing in his many dramatic moments as well as in the intense action. Casting director Carla Hool rates a huge bonus for tracking down the people who play everyone from the most savage looking warriors to the paralyzingly weird female aristocrats in the city.

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http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117932232.html?categoryid=1263&cs=1



Anyone planing on seeing this when released?


"The long central section of "Apocalypto" is simply great epic cinema"

And that should be enough to make me want to see this!

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 5:05pm

It's my most anticipated film. I can't wait to see it!

[StageManager2]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 5:19pm

I've been waiting with anticipation, too. I have a keen intersest in my ancestors.

[WalkOn]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 5:43pm

My ancestors were Mayan, but I can't bring myself to wanting to see this film. I'm not completely sure why.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 5:44pm

I have no interest whatsoever to see another film where people get beat up and killed violently, all in the name of 'art'.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 5:48pm

I must admit I have been intrigued by the previews, but I find Mel Gibson repulsive and I don't like the idea of giving any of my hard earned money to him.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 5:51pm

hmmmm, that's the same thing you tell me when you pay me for one of my "massages."

this'll be mel's critical success to book-end the blockbuster of passion.

[DAME]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 5:53pm

You couldn't pay me.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 5:54pm

I tried, but you keep making change.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 5:54pm

Diva: They don't really get killed. It's fake blood.

Updated On: 12/1/06 at 05:54 PM

[TomMonster]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 6:10pm

I'm really looking forward to it.

And, I think this movie is more people being beat up and killed violently, all in the name of 'history' not just 'art'.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 6:11pm

Like 'The Passion'?


Forget it.....

[mabel]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 6:17pm

While I kind of respect what Gibson is doing here, having the balls to have this massive scale movie with no name stars and subtitled, you couldn't pay me to see this. Sounds like a blood-bath, and I'm definitely not up for it!

[DG]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 6:24pm

". . . the first thing seen is a freshly detached human head being bounced down the long steps of a towering pyramid toward a frenzied crowd below."

For this reason alone, I would have no interest.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 6:29pm

Squeamish, DG?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 6:58pm

How about The Passion of Apocalypto ?

He would have to rachet it up to go above the brutalness in The Passion

[StageManager2]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 7:01pm

Do you mean "brutality," Roxy?

[Luscious]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 7:13pm

". . . the first thing seen is a freshly detached human head being bounced down the long steps of a towering pyramid toward a frenzied crowd below."

Just in time for the holdiays!!!


No thanks. I pass on anything Mel.

Updated On: 12/1/06 at 07:13 PM

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 6:10pm

Over time, this movie has grown on me. I think my disappointment at first stemmed from the fact that I wasn't expecting such a complete action movie, but now I'm looking at it again in a new light. I think this is possibly Gibson's best film to date.