Apocalypto (2006)

Director: Mel Gibson

Starring: Gerardo Taracena, Raoul Max Trujillo, Dalia Hernández

As the Mayan kingdom faces its decline, a young man is taken on a perilous journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression.

‘Apocalypto’ is a very depressing film. With all the brutality and torture, this was not a pleasant watch. The inhumane way people were being treated was disgusting, as well as the graphic animal killings. Mel Gibson doesn’t spare us any of the details. This is therefore a very real depiction of what actually happened so many years ago.

I actually watched a Mayan documentary to authenticate the Mayan brutality, and it is indeed very realistic. I believe Gibson wanted to bring across the reality of the situation. He succeeded to such an extent that the film left me feeling sick at times.

The film’s final moments were very good, as the film switched genre to become a vengeance thriller. Rudy Youngblood was very good as the hero, Jaguar Paw. He did an incredible job and I enjoyed the character development.

However, there’s only a few films I wish I’d not have seen. This is one of them.

‘Apocalypto’ received 3 Oscar nominations, won 9 awards and received a further 23 nominations. Yes, it is a very well made film, but it is very difficult to watch…