Will Mel Gibson see any tangible effects — that is, decreased box office for his Mayan epic Apocalypto — in the wake of his anti-Semitic meltdown of summer ‘06? We won’t know that answer till sometime on Sunday (though our own prognosticator, Joshua Rich, predicts the movie will edge out the competition and take No. 1). In the meantime, let’s focus on another big question that, of course, will affect turnout as well: Is the movie even good?
Most critics — with a few dissenters — seem to think it is. (Read Lisa Schwarzbaum’s B review.) But across the board, they all agree that it is brutally violent. In fact, the gore appeared to be a key factor in whether or not critics liked Apocalypto: Those who did found it chillingly effective, while those who didn’t called it excessive and sensationalist. Check out this roundup, then decide if you have the, uh, guts to sit through the 140-minute flick.
Scott Foundas, LA Weekly: ”Gibson — and I suspect this will be one of the most widely misunderstood aspects of the film — takes no pleasure in the bloodletting, nor does he expect us to. Rather, like The Passion of the Christ, Apocalypto strives to make us recoil from the screen, to feel in our gut the impact of each flesh-piercing spear and skull-splitting rock.”
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: ”Nothing gets Mel Gibson’s blood pumping as a filmmaker more than the sight, sound and splatter of someone’s blood actually pumping or, in the case of Apocalypto, spritzing from an actor’s temple, as the forest sunlight shines through the skull just so… With Braveheart, Passion and now Apocalypto, Gibson clearly has established his priorities as a director. History is gore, plus a few hearthside family interludes.”
A.O. Scott, New York Times: ”The brutality in Apocalypto is so relentless and extreme that it sometimes moves beyond horror into a kind of grotesque comedy, but to dismiss it as excessive or gratuitous would be to underestimate Mr. Gibson’s seriousness. And say what you will about him — about his problem with booze or his problem with Jews — he is a serious filmmaker.”
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star-Tribune: ”There’s a savage magnificence to Apocalypto, with visuals worthy of Fellini or David Lynch, and the kind of relentless excitement that only a few filmmakers can deliver. No matter how extraordinary the characters and their actions, the experience has a raw, authentic intensity. This, declares Gibson, is how it was. This is how more films should be.”
J. Hoberman, Village Voice: ”This lavishly punishing picture is the third panel in Gibson’s ‘Ordeal’ triptych. The Martyrdom of the Braveheart and The Passion of the Christ have nothing on The Misadventures of the Jaguar Paw.… Unlike its predecessors, however, Apocalypto is unburdened by nationalist or religious piety — it’s pure, amoral sensationalism.”
Bruce Newman, San Jose Mercury News: ”With a ferocity that is often as difficult to take as it is fascinating to watch, Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto comes crashing across 500 years of history with such immediacy that it feels as if this haunting, fierce, sadistic movie will never leave you. Certainly it will not leave you unchanged.”
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Southpark totally called Mel out for his “passion” when it comes to filming torture scenes. In every Gibson movie, he is either tortured, when he directs, one of his actors is. Macabre aside, this story seems worth seeing.
I truly loved Braveheart, but that final execution scene is pretty tough to take. I could not sit through The Passion. I walked out after 20 minutes of unrelenting pain. It is one of only about 2-3 movies in my whole life that I simply could not stomach. Violence in film has its place, but Gibson’s obsession with it has progressed to a point where I’m afraid to see his projects.
So many reasons not to go. Lack of interest in the story, the whole thing being in Mayan, the most-likely excessive violence, Mel’s not refuting his father’s Holocaust denying views, his own rant (yes, that fact that I lost respect for him will affect my desire to see future movies of his) and the fact that he should be serving a DWI conviction instead of promoting a film right now. Nope, not going.
Hey, if the movie is well done and tells an interesting story, I’ll go to see it. Mel’s off-screen issues and the gore will not really deter me from seeing a good movie done very well, and so far the reviews seem to indicate it’s that kind of movie. Say what you will about Mel and his issues, he is a very good film maker.
I don’t agree that he’s a good filmmaker. I see the same story over and over again. Mel or his primary character (an untouchable and unknowable paragon of throwback manly saintitude) is unfairly judged, chased, and attacked by a cartoony-violent and evil character or series of characters with no point of view other than antagonism.
Much gore ensues, and then some form of a crucifixion occurs, with the crucifixion aspect being drawn out to ridiculous lengths. But it’s absurd movie violence, and it’s numbing and distancing rather than meaningful or worth sitting through.
Where is the Python troupe when you need them, because this dude’s career is cruising for a Peckinpaugh bruising. It’s sailin’ for a flailin’. South Park’s was good, but I still long for the Python treatment.
I just think this movie looks boring, like something I would have been made to watch in 9th grade history. Pass.
I’m very interested in this movie, but I’ll probably just wait for the DVD. Or HD-DVD. Or Blu-Ray. Or whatever it is we’ll be watching in 6 months.
Genius filmmaker or not, Gibson is one sick bastard. I’ll pass, thank you.
Violence sells, so does sex, that’s why I’m going to see this movie. I saw a bunch of natives with loin clothes on – I’M SOLD!
Anyway, now that everything is said and done and even after the Michael Richards fiasco, let’s stop passing judgement on Mel. This is more of an indie flick which means it won’t make as much as a big budget movie. I’d expect to see full seats at the local indie theater than long lines at AMC or Edwards.
Gibson lost most of my respect with Snuff Film of the Christ, and then he showed himself to be a bigger bigot than I thought he was. So I doubt I’ll be helping him now. If I ever watch it, it’ll be at a friend’s house, and they’ll have rented it. And I’ll still probably pass.
I’m glad to see my belief that most americans are self centered, self absorbed xenophobes.. it’s no surprise that the chimpie was (s)elected TWICE…
yes, this means YOU craig, and anyone else who thinks watching a movie about another culture that ISN’T white is not worth your time or money. Maybe a movie about Hitler might spark your interest?
Damn, Jonathan, relax! Maybe Craig was just put off by the thought of reading subtitles for 2 hours while watching another white-guilt festival of gore. Taste is personal and not necessarily evil.
Jeez John… I say I think a movie looks boring and suddenly I’m a racist? I don’t feel any need to defend myself here because I know that I am not racist or ethnocentric and I really don’t care what someone I will never meet thinks of me, but seriously, calm down. We have different tastes in movies. That’s allowed. No need to start name calling.
Xenophobes – what the f?
This movie won’t show the life of Mayans – it’s just another canvas for Mel to splatter blood upon.
Those of us who love history don’t ever kid ourselves that an American movie – indie or not – will tell a true story of any historical peoriod. Come on!
Hey man, just because we think our country is the best in the world and we don’t bother to learn about other cultures, locations of foreign countries and rarely speak more than one language doesn’t make us xenophobes, it just means we’re complacent and well entertained. Once we lose “center of the world” status, then we’ll start caring. But for now, we are riding the gravy train. USA USA USA!
And Bush’s not a chimp, he’s the guy from Mad magazine, which would explain why the President’s was “What Me, Worry?” up until this past November.
A profile of the lovely and talented Mel “Giggles” Gibson in this month’s Seventeen Magazine:
Favorite Author: Gore Vidal
Favorite Hobby: Gore-met cooking
Fantasy President: Al Gore
Favorite Clothes: Gore-Tex
Favorite Magazine: Gentleman’s Goreterly
Favorite Superhero: Flash Goredon
Favorite Movie: Bambi (For the sweet, sweet mother-shooting scene)
Nope. Not going to see it. Even Braveheart’s been ruined for me, because now whenever I see it I can only think about what a crazy, awful person Mel Gibson is. And I think that the gore is just to satisfy a sadistic streak within Gibson, not for the ‘artistic’ value.
And by the way, not wanting to see this movie certainly doesn’t make me a xenophobe. It’s a sad commentary when people’s only exposure to a different culture is from a movie (ooh, subtitles! It’s so worldly!). If you really want to learn about indigenous South American cultures, read a book, or even go there yourself. And while you’re at it, remove yourself from your high horse.
I actually saw this at a preview screening and I have to say, totally caught me by surprise. All of personal issue regarding Mel Gibson aside, the acting is SUPERB and those actors deserve applause for what they have achieved in this movie. Rudy Youngblood is such a raw talent and was absolutely amazing in this movie. The action scenes are very exciting – just watching them run around all day and night made ME tired so I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like filming it. The “gore and violence” is not excessive and fits with the story, not overwhelming it. You should put aside judgment and check this one out.
I spent a month in the Yucatan studying Mayan culture this summer. While it is a very bloody history, it’s also a beautiful and fascinating one. Although I’ve never been a big fan of Mel, kudos to him for making this flick with unknown actors and in a relatively rare language (that’s actually still very much alive in the Yucatan). This is the first time in years I’ll be going to see a movie on opening weekend (and only the second time this year I’ve gone to the theater).
I was undecided in the wake of Mel’s outburst & the fact that I wasn’t impressed by Passion of the Christ, but saw the Apocalypto trailer 2 weeks ago when I caught Casino Royale. In a word, I was completely mesmerized…and decided then & there to see it opening weekend. And considering that it’s currently #1 on Moviefone’s request list…it may actually do solid business.
It looks like a quite the adventure, I’m there!
I’m with you, Craig. My reaction to the trailer was simply, “Meh.”
I don’t understand why Gibson’s gets bashed for his blood and gore, but other directors like Tarantino or Robert Rodriguez get praised for it. I think people just have an issue with Mel Gibson (which I can’t say that I blame them) and they’re trying to attack his movie any way they can.
I for one will see it this weekend. I like the fact that there are still people in Hollywood who are willing to take risks and present something original. I mean do you rather have this or The Dukes of Hazzard 2? I’ll go for the former.
Also, this movie is giving lots of opportunities to many Native American and Latino actors who rarely get cast in anything worthwile. I for one, have to support that. It pains me that movies like THE HOLIDAY have only white actors in the main role.
Finally, the Mayan civilization is such a rich history lesson. It was about time for the Hollywood treatment. Mexico and Latin America have sooooooooo many stories worth telling. We’re not all drug dealers and gang members as Hollywood seems to believe.
Gore = no problem.
From a certified loony = maybe.
From Mel Gibson = God, no. Never, ever, EVER.
Blech.
It’s amazing how many people pass judgement on Mel Gibson as though they have never thought or had a bad word pass their lips.
The biggest hypocrites are the press and media who’s SOBER, self-righteous, vicious and holier-than-thou attitude pass judgement on a self-confessed alcholic and think themselves purer than the driven snow.
In other words, ‘there but for the grace of God, go I.
I have not desire to see this move.
Not because of Mel, but because it looks bloated and silly.
Just because it isn’t as tidy and swaggering as a gun shot wound in a Tarantino flick, the violence in this movie does not keep it from having merit. Gibson is telling us that death with or without a gun is still a brutal and individual concern. That whether it is at the hands of spear or mortar no matter the dogma, death is final, and letting a government have/take our lives for its own pursuits is something worthy of consideration today. In our age of video games that allow ten year olds to kill with ease, openly showcasing encyclopedic knowledge of guns and knives, and movies making death a passing occurence, perhaps a movie with full throttled gory violence and a message is what American audiences should see so when they hear of genocide in Darfur or car bombings in Iraq, an image can come to their minds and perhaps they can feel something more than sympathy for poeple who have lost their lives.
Just because you were fortunate enough to travel to the Yucatan, Bridget, it does not mean that EVERYONE can afford to travel abroad. There are many people in urban and rural areas who have never, ever in their lives been more than 100 hundred miles away from where they live much less travel to a whole other country to experience different ways of life and different cultures. The couple from West Virginia recently on the Amazing Race is a perfect example of that.
Unfortunately for a large percentage of americans, their only exposure to anything non-american is through television and movies. It is sad but very true and if you would get off of YOUR high horse you’d see why it’s important that people be exposed to different cultures and different ways of life too often not presented by Hollywood’s stereotypical view of peoples from different nations. I guess you’d be just as pleased if Mayans were simply presented as savages the way Hollywood has so many times.
In case you’re wondering, I was born in Guatemala, the craddle of Mayan civilization and moved to the US when I was 10 years old; I have brown skin and have mayan blood running through my veins.
I’ve always been very good with languages you know, not just washing cars, mowing lawns, and doing housework.
At it’s core, television and movies are merely entertainment, and I genuinely feel sorry for anyone that takes what that medium puts forward as their history lesson. Because guess what: I’ve never had the opportunity to travel to Latin America, even though I would love to. Calling people’s laziness an excuse for not learning about their own world is abhorrent, and I will never accept that.
And I have to ask: at what point did I say anything about anyone’s ethnicity or country of origin? I’m disappointed that the suggestion for people to actually learn about the region and history themselves is met with derision, but I can’t say that I’m surprised.