Written by Fumo Verde

Like Mel Gibson or not, he knows how to make intensely dramatic films and Apocalypto holds true to that. Amazing costumes, lots of action, beautiful sets and scenery, and a story with a hero you root for. The film brings us back to the Mesoamerican period of the Western Hemisphere where eating the warm-beating heart of your now-dying rival was considered ritual. Using the ancient Mayan dialect, the indigenous peoples of the area, and unknown actors the viewer is brought deep into the story, giving it a sense of truth. Some say subtitles take away from the overall scene, but not to worry as most of the best acting in this movie doesn't come from the written word.

Set in the Yucatan Peninsula circa 1502, our hero Jaguar Paw and his tribe live a hunter-gatherer life. They get along with the spirits of the forest who share their home. Enter the Mayans on a search-and-destroy mission from their god, Kinich Ahau the Sun God. But what do they want, and why bother with Paw and his small tribe? The Mayans take their captives on a death march through the stunning landscape of Southern Mexico and parts of Central America.

As Paw and his people enter the outskirts of the city it becomes clear this is not a place  they want to be as a river of the blood and shit from the sacrificed pours out from the massive stone city. Once inside, the women are sold off as slaves and the men are painted blue, walked up to the top of the highest pyramid, and are killed in the name of Kinich Ahau. Yet Paw knows better, and this is where the fantasy part of movies comes into play. A solar eclipse occurs meaning the sun god has had his fill of blood.  Paw and his tribesmen can now be disposed of as the Mayan warriors see fit. Here's where your heart starts to pound as Paw escapes and is hunted by the Mayan warriors.

As this is happening there is a back-story. When Paw's village was being ransacked, he hid his wife and son in a well just outside of the huts. The Mayans didn't find them, so now Paw not only has to get away from the Mayan warriors who are hot on his trail, but he has to get to the well and pull up his family before it starts to rain, which will inevitably happen as they live in a rain forest.