I just saw the film. Definitely not for children, and I looked away a couple of times. But overall mesmerizing with not a single dull moment.
Funny thing, in the same theatre I was in were plenty of students from groups like MECHA. Yes, I'm Hispanic, but MECHA is just crazy...sadly they think they represent all of us. In the closing moments of the film, all you hear are boo's and moans from these people (you remember what happens). So I ask the guy next to me, "Why didn't you moan when you saw a savage ripping out some guy's heart?"
His answer? They weren't as dangerous. Funny stuff, huh?
"The greater the blood, the greater the redemption." That's the key to many of Mel's stories. Apocalypto reminded me of the life- and family-affirming center of The Patriot and Braveheart. It's even stronger here--although the negative critics overlooked it.
"Storge" is the Greek word for the love between family members. "Philia" is the love between good friends. Mel brightly illuminates these virtues against the dark canvas of the Mayan culture of death. Post-modern moral equivalency doesn't want to treat the virtues (love, courage) and the struggle against real evil as serious themes. Mel does, and they ding him for it every time.
This movie won't be well received by the Brahmin caste in the blue states. Well, they'll be eating their heart outs over this incredible artistic (and probable boxoffice) success!