How the Disney organization has matured.
Somehow, even in the darkest recesses of my imagination, I cannot imagine Mr. Disney on sunday evening television, explaining what we were about to see regarding the Mayan culture and tribal interaction.
"Watch as the male tribe members display their brilliant plumage...
and rip beating hearts from their victims."
Extreme True Life Adventure?
Possibly.
Whether based upon fact or a blend of fact and fiction, Apocalypto is a gutsy undertaking by anyone's standards.
In a world where few viewers are willing to read subtitles, Mr. Gibson has given us a 138 minute feature film spoken in Mayan with English subtitles.
And it works.
The characters joke with one another as some corporate types might around a water cooler in modern cultures. Everything is believable and light-hearted until the clash of tribal cultures, seemingly reminiscent of Robert Gardner's 1965 documentary Dead Birds, hits the screen with a brutality seldom, if ever before seen on film.
The protagonists are likeable blokes, and we're with them on their travails through tribal hell.
For those brave enough to view it, this is quality filmmaking.
The Blu-Ray DVD, derived from a digital intermediate (DI) created at eFilm from three image sources: HD Video, 16mm and 35mm. The final product was printed to Kodak Vision Premier stock.
While the variances between the capture mechanisms are visible to viewers with educated eyes, they are never intrusive -- merely technically interesting.
The steaming, hot, high contrast and extremely colorful world in which the Mayan tale takes place is beautifully represented by cinematographer Dean Semler.
For a wonderful American Cinematographer article detailing the shooting of Apocalypto, go here:
http://www.ascmag.com/magazine_dynam...ypto/page1.php
The final result as released on Touchstone (Disney) Blu-Ray is nothing short of startlingly perfect.
While this is not a world that I'd personally like to visit, and I don't believe that we'll be seeing an Apocalypto ride for the kids in Orlando, the BD disc is an absolute treat for those willing to go on a home video ride where death is but a heart-beat away.
Mel Gibson's Apocalypto is Highly Recommended.
RAH
