Fortress of Solitude
FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE
  • Movies
  • TV
  • Anime
  • Gaming
  • Tech
  • Win
No Result
View All Result
POPULAR
  • DC
  • Marvel
  • Superman
  • Batman
  • Star Wars
  • Horror
  • Sci-Fi
  • Netflix
  • Predator: Killer of Killers
FOLLOW US
Newsletter
Fortress of Solitude
FORTRESS
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Predator: Killer of Killers
  • DC
  • Marvel
  • Superman
  • Batman
  • Star Wars
  • Horror
  • Sci-Fi
  • Netflix
Home Movies Movie Features

Apocalypto: 16 Years Later, This Movie Remains Underrated

Tito PernaletebyTito Pernalete
March 7, 2023
0
Apocalypto--16-Years-Later-This-Movie-Remains-An-Underrated-Gem

Discover why Apocalypto is still an underrated movie gem 16 years after its release. This compelling movie takes viewers on a thrilling journey through ancient Mayan civilization.

  • The Controversy
  • One Of The Best Films Of 2016
  • Apocalypto Is A Classic

The Controversy

Apocalypto Mel Gibson

Many might argue that Mel Gibson’s epic historical adventure movie, Apocalypto, is an incredibly gruesome and brutally violent film that doesn’t accurately depict the history of the Mayan people. However, any true cinephile will tell you that it’s also one of the most underrated films of the last two decades.

Human history is rich with tales that rival some of the most well-crafted epics the world has ever seen. The rise and fall of empires, not to mention the lives of the people who made these stories possible, have always been a familiar subject for classic Hollywood films, but there’s still so much about the world and its cultures that haven’t got the representation they deserve.

That might be one of the reasons why 2006 Apocalypto (which made $120 million at the box office from a budget of $40 million) was kind of a big deal in the months before its release. Directed by Mel Gibson (one of the biggest ’90s action stars), the film was going to be one of the select few Hollywood productions offering a realistic take on the Mayan culture and civilization and how it compared to our modern-day society.

Unfortunately, the movie also was released at a time when the public wasn’t all that pleased with Mr Gibson’s behaviour. The talk of the tabloids and most critics centred around Gibson’s racism and how that could have affected Apocalypto’s setting and characters.

One Of The Best Films Of 2016

Could There Ever Be An Apocalypto 2?

The truth, however, is that Apocalypto is one of the finest and tensest pieces of thriller/drama of the last two decades. It’s a shame that so many people ignored such a great film because of Gibson’s rants. The good news is that the film has received some much more positive comments now that things with Mel Gibson have calmed down, especially from fellow directors like Quentin Tarantino and Spike Lee.

Tarantino was one of the first filmmakers that jumped to Apocalypto’s defence following its release. Not only did he call it “the best film of the year,” but he also considered it a true “masterpiece” of cinema. Spike Lee cited Apocalypto in his list of all-time essential films. All things considered, what is it in the movie that could be deemed offensive or racially insensitive?

At the time of its release, some critics were harsh on Apocalypto due to the movie’s not entirely accurate representation of the Mayan civilization. While this would have been a major point against the film if it was sold as a historically accurate retelling of actual events, the truth is that, from the beginning, Apocalypto’s Mayan setting was used as a backdrop to the history of civilizations as a whole.

While some historians have criticized some parts of the movie’s timeline, there’s no denying that the costume and set designs are some of the most ambitious ever produced in Hollywood. To add yet another layer of realism, Gibson decided that all of the indigenous people featured in the movie had to be of Mayan descent, and the lines spoken in the story are composed of variations of the Yucatec Mayan Language. It’s exceedingly rare to see an epic film with this attention to detail put into it, and it’s even more baffling to see that critics weren’t immediately enamoured with the story that Gibson wanted to tell.

Apocalypto Is A Classic

Could There Ever Be An Apocalypto 2?

Even sixteen years later, Apocalypto remains one of the most visually stunning historical movies ever made. One of the most impactful aspects of the film is its ending, where Gibson not only manages to show the end of civilization through the eyes of one man but also leaves us with a strong message of hope and new beginnings. It’s a cyclical process, much like how the Mayans perceived time as a concept.

In making a story about a civilization that seemingly vanished from the face of the Earth, Mel Gibson (who is currently working on The Passion of the Christ 2) crafted a timeless story that has managed to endure the test of time, and it feels like it’s now even better than it was back in 2006.

Tell us, do you think Apocalypto is an underrated movie? Would you like an Apocalypto 2?

Tags: Movie News
ShareTweetShareSend

About the Author: Tito Pernalete

Tito Pernalete is a Venezuelan writer, movie buff, and lifelong geek with a love for sci-fi, tech, and all things weird and wonderful. When he’s not slaying bosses in Elden Ring or rewatching RoboCop for the 100th time, he’s dreaming of Japan or diving into '80s horror classics.

Related Posts

Movie Titles That Sound Like Keyboard Keys
Movie Lists

10 Movie Titles That Sound Like Keyboard Keys (But Are Actually Real)

July 8, 2025
Spider-Man 4 Sadie Sink Jon Berthnal Punisher Villain
Movie News

Spider-Man 4’s Villain Could Be Hiding in Plain Sight

June 25, 2025
Best Shocking Plot Twists in Movies
Movie Lists

The Top 13 Best Shocking Movie Plot Twists, Ranked

June 19, 2025

MOST READ

James-Gunn-DCU-superheroes
Movie News

James Gunn Reveals The DC’s First Black Female Superhero Is Coming

June 30, 2025
superman 2025
Movie News

A Film Pundit Claims James Gunn’s Superman Is a Mess

June 28, 2025
Ed Boon Mortal Kombat 2 Karl Urban Johnny Cage
Movie News

Ed Boon Says Mortal Kombat 2 ‘Nailed It’

June 28, 2025
Michael Bay New Transformers Movie Sequel
Movie News

Michael Bay Is Back With A New Transformers Movie Sequel

June 27, 2025
Fortress of Solitude

© 2025 Fortress of Solitude, a division of Fortress Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

More about Fortress of Solitude

  • About Us
  • Contact Fortress of Solitude
  • Work With Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Sign Up For Our Newsletter
  • Publishing Principles
  • Ethics Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Ownership
  • Privacy Policy & Site Disclaimer

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
SUBSCRIBE
  • MOVIES
    • Movie Features
    • Movie Lists
    • Movie News
    • Movie Reviews
  • TV
    • TV Features
    • TV Lists
    • TV News
    • TV Series Reviews
  • ANIME
    • Anime Features
    • Anime Lists
  • COMICS
    • Comic Features
    • Comic Lists
  • GAMING
    • Gaming Features
    • Gaming Lists
    • Gaming News
    • Game Reviews
  • TECH
    • Tech Features
    • Tech News
    • Tech Reviews
  • INTERVIEWS
  • WEB STORIES
  • ABOUT US
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Ownership
    • Work With Us
  • WIN

© 2025 Fortress of Solitude, a division of Fortress Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.