Apocalypto (2006)

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

It's not my type of movie but i have to admit that the production design, costumes, acting, directing and editing is top notch. The lack of a solid story, real drama, however, is taking away a lot of the actual selling-point of this film: the philosophical ideas on the rise and fall of cultures and the underlying reasons for that. Now it's a lot of action sequences (and by god, they are executed brilliantly) and there is left only a presumption, a glimpse, of the masterpiece it could have been; being a film where superb action-drama would have gone hand in hand with an unusual and daring idea on the necessity of the fall of cultures.Nevertheless.. what a treat!

No doubt, an amazing movie directed by the one and only Mel Gibson. Starting from the story to the acting to cinematography, everything is very realistic and top notch which makes this movie a must watch for all film enthusiasts. Loved the movie and I have watched it more than 5 times - Sujan Azad Parikh.

What a sensational work has been done by the whole team, I am seeing it repeatedly & really enjoying the movie, since I've seen the movie I have started searching for (Apocalypto 2). AMAZING!

(Originally reviewed: 26/02/2017) Mel Gibson can tell a story and here is a film that has originality, respectable acting from an unknown cast and great direction from Gibson himself. I will admit I found the film slightly too violent at times and a bit nasty but at least there was no cannibalism present. The story is utterly engaging, you want to know what's going to happen next, as the film is always interesting and usually unpredictable. The cast are extremely impressive; these actors should be cast in some American films as well as they give solid performances here; this included Rudy Youngblood (Jaguar Paw), Dalia Hernandez (Seven) and Morris BirdYellowhead (Flint Sky) to name a few. I think the cinematography was brilliant and the camera-work exceptional, though the film is all subtitles, I could see that the dialogue was thought out and well chosen, and the picture has a decent sense of humour at times.There were one or two things I didn't like; one is the opening scene, where they kill an animal of some sort and divide it's heart, testicles's and so forth; and within this scene they are joking and one guys eats the balls and I felt slightly uneasy with that disturbing sequence but thankfully it was only a five minute scene, I also didn't see why Gibson needed to show s couple of the prisoners being sacrificed and having their heart cut out and head chopped off and thrown down a flight of steps; this seemed slightly over the top for me; I think one person would have been efficient to show that point. I also didn't like how the film slowed down during the middle where the protagonist and his village; well what's left of them, are captured and it takes a while for them to get to their desired location and it felt like that for me as well; however fortunately it picks up after that and the last half hour or so are entertaining and compelling as hell. Gibson also wrote and produced this picture; which really proves how talented this guy is; his storytelling is always comprehensible and clear, and his visual outlook of the Mayan civilization is equally as good. Overall Apocalypto is an engaging piece of filmmaking with strong performances, solid direction and originality; it's one of those films that has the guts to try something different and continue to surprise; good work Gibson.