Apocalypto | The Critique

Mel Gibson is known for many wrong reasons. But when you talk about his film making skills… you can’t rubbish him. He is definitely one of the most respected and intelligent film directors of our time. Apocalypto is the evidence. Apocalypto is a movie telling a simple story of a tribal young man in a declining Mayan culture.

Jaguar Paw is a tribesman whose family and tribe have been attacked by elitist community who consider his tribe low. They give human sacrifice to satisfy the heavenly powers. While his tribe is being attacked, he safeguards his pregnant wife and kid in a well and then tries to protect his men. He is being captured with many other members of his community and they are supposed to be sacrificed to please God. However, he is a bit lucky and just before his sacrifice solar eclipse happens. God is satisfied. But will he be spared. Obviously not. But will he die an un-heroic death?

Movie starts of as a normal story but gains pace and momentum as clock ticks. Cinematography and art-direction are simply breath taking. It’s more realistic than what you read in your history books. Performances were good and complemented the rhythm of story well. They were closest to imagination. Direction… Its Mel Gibson I am talking about.

Set in 16^th century, Apocalypto boasts of thorough research work about Mayan Culture. As a matter of fact, the language of the movie is Yucatec Maya, the language of Mayans. It usually happens that historians and experts on the same subject have diagonally opposite opinions and the unsatisfied group emerges as bashers. This happened to this movie as well. Accuracy was questioned. However, despite of such voices, the realism was applauded by everyone (including the bashers).

Written by: Sujoy Ghosh