The movie unfolds with the story of Jaguar Paw, played by Rudy Youngblood, who is a hunter in a small village. Jaguar Paw and his family are living a peaceful life in the jungle, far from the city and have no idea about the approaching doom to their tribe. However, the village gets raided by a group of Mayans seeking human sacrifices. The raiders kill or capture the villagers and take them away to their city, leaving Jaguar Paw and his pregnant wife for dead.
Jaguar Paw is left with no option but to save his wife and family, who are held captive in the Mayan Civilization. Gibson, who also co-wrote the story, creates a masterpiece that takes the viewer on a heart-wrenching journey with Jaguar Paw as he traverses through the jungle and his battle with the Mayans. The film highlights the human spirit, which fights for what it loves, and the Director does an impressive job of portraying this message throughout the film.
The movie’s main objective is to provide its audience with a memorable cinematic experience, which makes it stand out from the rest of the action movies. Gibson achieves this goal by utilizing spectacular visuals, stunning cinematography, and picturesque landscapes. The movie is a visual delight, where each frame is beautifully crafted and transports you into the Mayan civilization during its downfall.
The dialogue is entirely in Yucatec Maya, with no English translation, making the movie authentic and adding to its originality. The acting in the movie is impressive, with Rudy Youngblood portraying Jaguar Paw’s role to perfection. The cast’s makeup, costumes, and sets are realistic and compliment the movie’s theme.
However, the film has earned criticism for its portrayal of the Mayan culture. The director played loose with history and facts in presenting the Mayans as brutal savages. He depicts them with no regard for human life, which is far from reality. Many scholars have criticized the movie for promoting stereotypes and for misleading the audience to believe that the Mayans were no more than bloodthirsty savages.
Despite the criticism, Apocalypto’s impact remains evident in the movie industry. Gibson’s direction has created a film that offers entertainment and authenticity, with its vivid portrayal of the Mayan civilization and culture. It is a unique and well-crafted cinematic experience that has cemented its place in the action genre.
In conclusion, Apocalypto is an excellent action film that offers a thrilling cinematic experience to its audiences. The film’s outstanding direction, cinematography, and visuals make it a must-watch movie. Gibson’s storytelling portrays with remarkable authenticity the Mayan people and their culture. However, the movie’s portrayal of the Mayan’s morals and history has faced criticism by scholars. Yet, the film’s impact on the movie industry persists to this day, and it is considered one of the most memorable movies of its genre.