'Apocalypto' - High-Def Digest Review

[jed]

Just posted Peter's review of 'Apocalypto' on Blu-ray. He gives this one mixed marks as a film, but credits Gibson with making a daring and often gripping flick in the face of extraordinary odds. As a Blu-ray release, this one's quite strong, especially given the film's psuedo-indie roots. The video is solid, the audio is truly a feast for the ears, while a slim but strong supplements package (anchored by a Gibson commentary track) rounds things out.

Full review here:
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/apocalypto.html

[MrVengeance81]

I just want to say that there is NO 5.1 English DUB.
The DD 5.1 is a MAYAN language track.

Did anyone find the subtitles a tad bit small and hard to read in some cases?

[sperezmore]

Thank you MrVengeance81 for the clarification.

Regards,

[bear89103]

I think that's because the film was intended to be listened to in Mayan. Just like when Gibson made Passion, it was intended to be listened in Aramaic.

[illegalprelude]

im still debating to get this film or not. I love mel personally. Never seen Passion or have any intension of seeing it

[bear89103]

Originally Posted by illegalprelude

im still debating to get this film or not. I love mel personally. Never seen Passion or have any intension of seeing it

I can see how a non-Christian or even a non-religious person might not have any desire to see Passions. The only thing I can say about it is that the cinematography and direction of the film is really really good. And I hope that Apocalypto is the same way.

[ckelly79]

I saw Apocalypto in theaters and it was excellent. The cinematography gorgeous, the story was moving, the action was intense, and the language was pretty. At some points, I didn't even pay attention to the subtitles, but I still knew what was going on and what was being said. I will definatly be picking this up on blu-ray.

[kannisto]

Originally Posted by MrVengeance81

I just want to say that there is NO 5.1 English DUB.
The DD 5.1 is a MAYAN language track.

Did anyone find the subtitles a tad bit small and hard to read in some cases?

Thanks for that clarification. I got worried about this when reading the review just now as this is on the way from Amazon.com and I have no setup for 5.1 uncompressed PCM.

[persona1138]

Hi all,
Just read the review, and as per usual, your analysis of the picture/sound quality is spot-on. I've got to take issue with your review of the film, however. I'm a liberal guy, I'm sick of Mel's antics, but frankly, it's my opinion that when reviewing anything, it's important to separate the creator from the creation. The movie works on its own terms - even the reviewer says so - and from the looks of the forum (thus far), most everyone else has enjoyed the film. It's engaging, gorgeous, and there's of course been a lot of hooplah about the violence, but I look at it this way - the Mayan culture was fairly brutal, and when telling this particular story, I didn't feel that the violence on-screen was unjustified. Frankly, we don't see much more gore than in most Hollywood action pictures (ripping out hearts in Temple of Doom, anyone?), it's just that, in THIS picture, it's really visceral - you feel it in your gut. Plus, everyone's watching this film with their own personal baggage from Passion of the Christ. That's the reason for the hooplah.
At any rate, back to the whole creator/creation thing. You can't judge a movie based on whether or not you like the guy who made it - art for art's sake, and all that pretentious jazz. You can decide whether or not you'll SEE the movie, based on your feelings about Mel - if you don't want to give him your money, fine. You're missing out on a really good movie, but fine, I understand. But ONCE YOU'VE SEEN the movie, that's it: rate the movie on its own terms. Certainly, reviewing anything is a highly subjective process, but as a reviewer, your opinion and rating of the movie should not depend on the antics of its artist, but rather the merits of the film itself. With very few "negatives" in the review, it deserved more than three stars - it's frustrating to me to see an analysis of a film that is so focused on determining the worth of a movie based on the reviewer's personal frustrations with the artist. Anyway, this is all a pretentious argument, I know, and I'm sick of Mel too. But the truth is, it's a pretty darn good movie - well-developed characters, strong storytelling, well-written, well-acted, gorgeous to look at, great sound design etc. As a reviewer, you owe your opinion to the film, not to anything else.
Regardless, I love the site, I think your guys' reviews are awesome, and I'm a dedicated reader - I don't mean to be nitpicky. Just thought I'd throw that argument out there, and see if anyone else shares the same opinion. Take care, and to everyone at High-Def Digest: keep up the great work.

[anavrin0901]

I think I may pick this one up today.

[mischa316]

I have this one at home from netflix along with Letters from Iwo Jima & Smokey & The Bandit!! Plus I also have to watch the Matrix & Pirates 1&2 so I will watch this one but when I'm not sure. Once I watch it I'll post what I thought of it on this post by editing it!! Very strange movie it was moving at the same time though. I dont think I will pick this one up though.
Mischa.

[JohnC]

So is this region free or A only?

[cacadodo666]

gibson does not revel in the blood lust...he revels in the portrayal of the reality of the violence to people turning a blind eye..

and as far as being aware of the current cultural climate...who gives a rats tail about it?...especially with all the gratuitous use of sex, violence and drugs used on basic cable and in hollywood movies deemed as "groundbreaking"...adding nothing to the story most of the time...at least his portrayal of violence has a point...ALL the time

[WellInformed]

I think this title deserved a 5 PQ star review. The PQ is almost as good, if not equal to the Pirates 1 film. Many other reviews agree with me. To give the PQ a 4 star rating on this title is to discredit every Warner and Universal review that got 5 stars for PQ.

The dream sequence was meant to be seen that way (that's why he shot that portion with 16mm a camera). In much the same way The Matrix has a greenish hue through out the entire film. If nothing was taken away from that PQ rating, then nothing should taken away from this title for the director's vision. Peter Brake has done this with Deja Vu as well. I have to look at others reviewers that have are big in their field to get a true feel for a film.

[dominica]

Originally Posted by WellInformed

I think this title deserved a 5 PQ star review. The PQ is almost as good, if not equal to the Pirates 1 film. Many other reviews agree with me. To give the PQ a 4 star rating on this title is to discredit every Warner and Universal review that got 5 stars for PQ.

The dream sequence was meant to be seen that way (that's why he shot that portion with 16mm a camera). In much the same way The Matrix has a greenish hue through out the entire film. If nothing was taken away from that PQ rating, then nothing should taken away from this title for the director's vision. Peter Brake has done this with Deja Vu as well. I have to look at others reviewers that have are big in their field to get a true feel for a film.

I agree with you 100% on this one. the film was done in many different styles and the blur was an intended effect. Very good film and great PQ and AQ. the movie got two nominations for AQ and get 4.5 stars. This week has been very good for all HD Movie ( BLU and HD DVD). It's great to have both. You crazy Fanboy's fight and I will watch the movies for you.

AQ and PQ both 5. It's in the same class as the Matrix and POTC. Mel is a crazy person, but don't let is life get in front of a great movie.