Apparently, I stepped on some toes with my review of “Apocalypto” for the theatrical release. I didn’t even realize that I had, especially since I figured if I was going to offend anyone over a Mel Gibson movie, it would have been about “The Passion of the Christ.”

My irking of a reader was pointed out to me by a fellow critic who told me to check out the comments someone had made on my review as it was posted on RottenTomatoes.com. When I finally checked out the note, I realized that there was definitely a cultural market built into this film. Unfortunately for Mel Gibson, this movement wasn’t nearly as huge as the Christian movement that propelled “Passion” to blockbuster status.

The reader thought I had trivialized the events of the film, pointing out that these are based on historical events. He asserted that if I understood the culture, I would have understood the film.

However, I stick by my original review. I thought it was a brilliant film from the technical side. And while it tugged on the right heartstrings and pushed the right emotional buttons, “Apocalypto” left me asking, “What was the point?”

The film tells the story of a peaceful native tribe in the jungle of the Yucatan Peninsula that is decimated by Mayan warriors. After slaughtering about half of the village, the Mayans take the survivors prisoner. The women are sold into servitude, and the men are brought to the majestic temples for human sacrifice. One of the natives manages to escape and seeks revenge on the Mayans as he races to get home to his pregnant wife left at the village.

I understand that this sort of thing happened, and it happened in every culture around the world and throughout time. I don’t mean to belittle the struggles and terrors that faced the losing side of a culture clash, but I couldn’t see this film as a historical story. Rather, it was like a modern action film or horror movie set against the Mayan background.

The acting was very well done, and the film looks brilliant. Gibson used digital photography rather than traditional film to capture the imagery. Like Michael Bay, his films can always be assured to look good. And the action sequences are incredible. However, also like Michael Bay, in this film Gibson is distracted from actually telling a good story.

Instead, “Apocalypto” is more of a grudge match between a jungle tribesman and the entire frickin’ Mayan nation. Which looks cool, but doesn’t serve much of a storytelling purpose.

The DVD comes with some minor special features, including a behind-the-scenes look at how the production team created the film from the costumes to the selection of actors. There’s also a deleted scene, which is interesting against the context of the film but ultimately forgettable.

Still, the best feature on the DVD is easily the commentary track featuring Gibson and writer/producer Farhad Safinia. I found their insight into the film, its production journey and the cultural angles far more interesting than the film itself.



Specifications: DTS 5.1 Digital Surround Sound. Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Widescreen (1.85:1) – Enhanced for 16x9 televisions. Original Mayan language track. English, French and Spanish subtitles.