My Apocalypto Review

Benjamin Straits

Film class

Period. 2

Apocalypto Film Critique

Without a doubt Apocalypto is a great film to assess. Film classes all over study this film to analyze the key styles to creating a film. This movie is a prime example of the lighting, angles, and shots that are incorporated in all films. Apocalypto is a movie generated for an audience above the age of seventeen. This movie does have intense violence and gore and shouldn’t be viewed by views under the age seventeen. Apocalypto lives up to all the hype it has gotten. A film in which shows the struggles and downfalls of the Mayan empire, is exactly what it is. In spite of the language barrier, you can tell the characters emotions and everything from only the use of cinematography, and the great acting. This movie is a great example that depicts the use of cinematography, and is even a great movie just to watch, to understand the struggles of the Mayan culture.

In Apocalypto, directed by Mel Gibson, is a great movie that shows the struggles of living in a failing Mayan culture, that is being consumed by the more powerful cultures, and ever more advanced societies. Apocalypto runs threw the fall of a tribe, which has been overtaken by the more powerful large Mayan culture. The main character Jaguar Paw, taken from his culture and family, is forced to prove himself and escape the clutches of the sacrificial Mayan tribe. Running for his life, Jaguar Paw finds power in the only things he has left, his wife and kids. In the end Jaguar Paws’ tribe isn’t the only tribe being threatened, the fate of the entire Mayan culture is being diminished with the arrival of their new visitors. Apocalypto explores the hardships of living in South America, especially as an undeveloped tribe, when the rest of the word is changing. It shows the internal struggles of the different tribes, and the new external influences that ultimately over run the Mayan culture. This movie, and the end of the Mayan rule, has an essence of the fall of the Native Americans with arrival of the pilgrims, and the growth of America. Just like the Native Americans, being overrun by more advanced and powerful influences eventually pushed the Jaguar Paws tribe, and eventually the Mayans.

I very much enjoyed this movie. The depth and detail incorporated in the film, portrayed by director Mel Gibson, was immaculate. Everything was put to great consideration, from setting, all the way to the costumes. This film makes you feel as though you are in the movie. The struggles portrayed from the main character Jaguar Paw, makes you antsy and anxious to see what he will do next. With every frame you are amazed by the detail and time taken to make the scene look as though you lived in that time frame. The main character has you on your feet every time he does something. All of his struggles make you want to get up and cheer for him to keep going. His fight to get back to his family is one of legendary proportions, nothing he does is repetitive, and you will for sure not lose focus. From the beginning, Jaguar Paws humor and jokes makes you instantly like him, and when things get serious, you constantly cheer for him to succeed and overcome his hardships. Mel Gibson’s use of low angles to show dominance and strength was a crucial part to this film. The most memorable part for me was when Jaguar Paw was faced with the strong enemy warrior; the camera was low on the obviously stronger enemy, ever more portraying his dominance. But in the end of the scuffle, Jaguar Paws wits overcame the enemy, and he ended up using a trap to kill him. One of the most apparent cinematography elements was the use of low-contrast lighting. The director used great lighting in the jungle to show certain importance of people and less on others. The shadows created by this use made the film seem more dark and evil. As with the large fight scene when Jaguar Paws tribe was being ravaged, the use of low-contrast lighting showed the anger and evil in the enemies, while they savagely destroyed their peaceful tribe.

Overall this action/adventure movie was a great pick. Now I’m not a historical buff, but I would say that its spot on with historical accuracy. The costumes, the actors, the set, and especially the tribes make it seem as though you are in the jungles with them. I would give this movie four stars. Everything about this movie adds up perfectly, the one concern I have is that I wasn’t completely satisfied with the ending. I would have liked to see what happens to the main character and his family. I enjoyed this movie, but it’s not for everybody. The use of blood, and gore, along with the extreme use of violence. A slight bit of harsh language and all things considered persons should only view this movie over the age of seventeen. This is a must see for everyone and is a great way to see how cinematic elements are used.