Review of Apocalypto (2006) by Matthew S — 06 Jan 2012

Though noble and ambitious in its efforts to make the ancient Mayan people relatable and ordinary, with senses of humor and similar domestic worries of health and family, we are stretched a bit thin with too many characters for a "chase movie.

" The level of disturbing violence is reminiscent of Mel's past writer/director projects. A part of me understand why he wants to show the awful brutality of men, but once again it seems he can't stop taking it too far and unintentionally making it look cartoony (yet, oddly, all of the children are ignored.

Maybe even Mel has his limits?). The costume designs are captivating, but the camera work and editing is often somewhere between an episode of LOST and a reenactment production for a television documentary.

Still, it was enjoyable to see a big budget film truly dedicated to the Mayan culture and this moment of history.