Monday, March 22, 2010
Visual triumph of a movie
"When the end comes, not everyone is ready to go." - Apocalypto.
I saw Apocalypto over MBC Action last week. Never mind that it was past my bedtime, but I just can't let this pass. I've been intrigued by -- but never had a chance to watch -- this movie since it was released in 2006.Hence, after four years, when I saw its advert on tv, I promised myself to watch the movie.
And I did.
Verdict: I was floored.
One of the best films I've ever seen. It's a visual triumph. No matter what they say of Mel Gibson, I still admire him when he megs his movies. It's true that his movies are bloody and gory and not for the weak-hearted (like The Passion of the Christ, for example), but I admire their glory and the story and the lessons behind each film.
Apocalypto was set during the Mayan Ages. The storyline was quite simple. It narrates the life of a native, Cougar Paw, whose village was suddenly attacked by bandits and all their able-bodied men and women captured as either slaves or life offerings. Cougar Paw who was about to be killed as an offer to the Sun God, by fate, escaped although not unscathed to return to his pregnant wife and son whom he hid inside a deep well.
I guess the quotation used at the beginning of the movie, that of William James Durant, author of The Story of Civilization summarizes the heart of the movie: "A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within."
The film was dubbed in Mayan language (subtitled in English) which added credence to the setting of the film.
One line which moved me is that of Cougar Paw's father who said: Fear is a sickness. It will crawl into the soul of anyone who engages it. It has tainted your peace already. I did not raise you to see you live with fear. Strike it from your heart. Do not bring it into our village.
The Apocalypto I saw on MBC 4 was, I'm sure, unnecessarily cut for tv programming reasons. I read that the movie was more than two hours long; what I saw, therefore, was only three-fourths of the movie. I hope I can get hold of a DVD of Apocalypto. Warning for those who may be interested to see it for the first time: it's not for kids. If you hate the sight of blood, cadavers and hacked heads, you will not enjoy this movie. But if you enjoy grand production films sans CGI magic, as I do, you will definitely enjoy Apocalypto.
I enjoyed watching Apocalypto. Actually, bumili talaga ako ng DVD kasi pati yung mga reviews, mga deleted scenes and yung 'extras' ay pinanood ko. One of the best talaga!
Hi! I just saw your comment on another blog and wanted to reply to you directly (re Earth Hour in Saudi Arabia).
Traffic lights are on, only non-essential electronics and lights will be turned off.
It's great to hear that you are participating. Please visit our blog if you have time, we've got some suggestions there on how best to participate.
Our blog is Jeddah-based, but we are setting up a website that will include all other cities of Saudi Arabia, so if you do participate and would like to be featured, do send us your pictures!
Thank you and hope you have fun!
http://earthhourjeddah.blogspot.com
Tagal ko na napanood to kaya medyo nakalimutan ko na ung ibang istorya pero panuorin ko nga uli :D
I had the chance to watch this movie but I never appreciate it kasi pirated DVD ang nabili ko. Sana MBC will have a re-run.. or else, ipapadownload ko na lang ito sa friend ko sa torrent. Thanks for the amazing review.
This film is amazing! Also one of the best films I've ever seen. Those actors are amazing!
Sa lahat ng inirekomenda niyong movie rito, The Slumdog Millionaire lang ang HINDi ko nagustuhan. Kaya try kong hanapin itong Apocalypto. I like M. Gibson's films.
well reviewed.
maganda tong movie na to. and di ko magawang bumitaw sa tv screen kasi maiiwan ako ng captions.
How come I missed this movie? Heehee. I'll catch up.
PS. I noticed the changes on the header. =)
Nebz, I enjoyed this movie too. Mel is really a great director. Mya favorite, though, is his Passion of the Christ.
mahanap nga to sa net, baka me free viewing na, hehehe.
Sample comment done during testing.