Apocalypto (2006) ****

It's easy to regard this film as a lesson of history. Did the director Mel Gibson intend to deliver the message to the modern society, especially the Western ones? What could we learn from the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, a once-great civilization that was devoured by the Western civilization?

"History was written by those who hanged heroes." Today, history is also written by filmmakers. Movies based on historical events can easily spawn controversy since people tend to pick on accuracy and viewpoints. Nevertheless, without the technology of turning back time who can confidently speak the whole truth and nothing but the truth of the history?



Gibson's filming skills have already astonished us by "Braveheart (1994)" and "Passion of the Christ (2004)." But "Apocalypto" once again proves that Gibson is capable of shaking up the world. Just like the heroes he depicted in his movies, Gibson thrust into the pond of blood and muds and survived at a high cost. Some might criticize the massive graphic violence Gibson showed on the screen. However, the ultra-violence is just part of the reality in history.

"Apocalypto" didn't get the credits it deserved partly due to Gibson's racial slur against Jewish people during his arrest for DUI. This incident might have dented his credibility of making such a great flick. Additionally, it's probably hard for Hollywood to acknowledge a movie about non-Western heroes without any white companion. Nonetheless, I believe many Hollywood filmmakers can learn a thing or two from a movie like this: treating a non-Western hero with absolute respect and compassion.