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"Come Back to Me...
Come Back to Me..." |
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Directed by Mel Gibson -
Written by Mel Gibson,
Farhad Safinia
Starring Rudy
Youngblood, Dalia
Hernandez, Jonathan
Brewer
Morris Birdyellowhead,
Carlos Emilio Baez,
Ramirez Amilcar, Israel
Contreras
Israel Rios, María
Isabel Díaz, Espiridion
Acosta Cache, Iazua
Larios
Distributed by
Touchstone -
2006 - 139m - Rated R |
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A story about preserving a family's way of life... |
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| Mel Gibson is a modern
master of cinema in ways reminiscent of David Lean. His scope,
courage and ambition is second to none in this era. He tells
intimate stories on grand scales, never bowing to box office
pressures or studio demands. His films command attention and
expand thoughtful discussion. With "Apocalypto", his third
directorial masterpiece, Gibson delivers a harsh metaphorical
warning with an epic story set in the final days of the Mayan
kingdom. As grand as that may seem, the film is a very personal
story focusing on one village, one family, one man. Jaguar Paw
is a father of one son and his wife is pregnant with another.
His grandfather hunted the jungle they live in. His father
after him. And as he states, his children and grandchildren
will hunt the forest when he is long gone. Generations of
these villagers have carved out a habitat in and around the nature
that surrounds them.
However, there are signs of imminent danger. A neighboring
tribe flees through their land, obviously having experienced heavy
trauma. Premonitions arrive via Jaguar Paw's dreams,
suggesting that they flee themselves. But the warnings are
unheeded.
One morning, the village is attacked savagely and their peaceful
existence is overthrown. A woman utters in recognition, "Our
life is over." And indeed it is. The women are raped,
the children are abandoned, and the men are bound and marched to
their ultimate demise.
In a scene that harkens Werner Herzog's legendary "Aguirre: The
Wrath of God", the newfound slaves are marched through dense forest
and dangerous mountainous passages to the Mayan pyramids, where they
are to be sacrificed to appease the gods.
Jaguar Paw has other plans. He does not believe it is time
to go just yet. During the attack on his village, he managed
to safely hide his pregnant wife and child... and it is his
intention to make it back to them in time. He needs a miracle
to intervene his apparent fate... and that is exactly what he gets.
The journey back to his family and his home is a harrowing chase
that will have audiences on the edge of their seats. The final
act is one that involves a real jaguar, ominous omens, torrential
rain, many battles, and a child birth scene unlike any you have ever
witnessed before. It is virtually impossible to be unmoved by
the sheer determination on display in this film. Life will
continue for these people. They simply refuse to lay down and
surrender to the imposed change. It is as courageous a display
of character as seen in any film this year.
The cinematography would make Terrence Malick proud. The
action scenes would get Spielberg out of his seat. The tender
moments would bring a tear to Jean Pierre Jeunet's eye. This
is a complete film in every way.
Gibson deserves so much praise for attempting another epic film,
once again in a dead language, and managing to pull it off without
feeling like a copy of previous material. "Apocalypto" is an
awe-inspiring film that has something very important to say.
But it is also a fabulous portrayal of the familiar cinematic story
of one man's fierce efforts to save his family. "Apocalypto"
is original and powerful and important. It deserves and earns
your time and attention. |
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© Written by TC Candler -
Email Me! |
Richard
Propes' Comment
n/a
Jacob
Hall's Comment
Somehow, Mel
Gibson has topped himself yet again when it
comes to cinematic violence. After the vicious
beatings, the heart removals, the beheadings,
the spear impaling, the jaguar mauling and the
man crushed on rocks, but before the bee attack,
the spike trap and the geyser of blood spraying
from an exposed brain, I turned to my viewing
partner, Mike, and we both started laughing. Not
because the events on screen were particularly
funny, but because we couldn’t believe that
Gibson was getting away with this. You would
think that somewhere down the line, a suit from
the studio would have hauled him away from the
set in a strait jacket. This is an insane movie
by an insane man.
When I say insane, I do not mean “anti-semetic,
drunk driving misogynistic” insane. I mean
insane in the artistic way; someone taking
everything dark within their soul and pouring it
out on the screen for the world to see. On that
level, “Apocalypto” is an impressive
achievement.
I could go into detail on symbolism and such,
but I think TC has that covered. Instead, let me
momentarily dwell on not only the excessive
violence, but how superbly shot they are and how
confidently they are presented. If you strip
away the ancient languages, this really is a
formulaic action film with a hero, villain and
chase scene.
But damn, what a chase scene!
If you can stomach brain matter practically
landing on the camera lens and don’t mind
reading subtitles, than this is one for you.
Crazy or not, I can’t wait to see with Gibson
concocts next.
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