mel’s APOCALYPTO

i don't care what they say about mel gibson. the guy clearly knows his business like nobody else does. oh, and in case you're interested to know, Apocalypto rocks in many levels!

While Apocalypto is not without its flaws, it's powerful enough to rock me back on my heels. in this 140-minute film, heads (severed ones, that is) literally roll, hearts get wrenched out of still-heaving chests, and there is an unrelenting forest chase with enough thrills to satisfy even the most exacting of adrenaline junkies. not to mention the (cringe-inducing) body piercings and decoration… uggh!

mel gibson's decision to cast unknowns and present the film in yukatek with english subtitles paid off — although the first time i heard about it (a year ago) i really thought the guy was beginning to lose his grip. while it may not be a perfect fit for the mainstream audience (particularly kids), the movie's theme — basically it's all about survival and family ties in the jungle setting — is easy to relate to

rudy youngblood (Jaguar Paw), is strangely compelling as the jungle-dwelling warrior-hunter who is literally squeezed through a hellish wringer as he struggles to flee his captors and rescue his family. bottomline, the whole thing works. i'll probably watch this again.