Why did so many people not like my movie, "apocalypto"?

Question

I produce my movies with all of my heart, soul, and energy for your viewing pleasure

I am not a Jew hater, if you knew what it was like being a celebrity, you would see things from my perspective and it's not always easy having a perfect record to please all of you Americans or other people who watch my movies which are apart from my private life

Answer 1

How can you make this movie, yet deny the holocaust? It's not the movie, it's you.

Answer 2

Well, ofcourse we don't know if you're Mel Gibson or not, but giving you the benefit of the doubt, I would say that the public seems to go to the big spectacle type movies in spurts. And we have seen a lot of them in recent years. Your movie, while seeming to be very authentic as period pieces go, was just too violent and difficult to understand for the ussual bubble gun chewing airhead. Personally I never get tired of your movies. Infact I don't recall ever seeing even one that I did not like. So keep directing and acting.

As far as the comments made by some of those who have responded to your question remember the old addage that greatness is expected of those who aspire to be great. We build up our heroes only to tear them down at the first sign of conduct we find unacceptable. You have accomplished so much in your life. You can look back on a long career with pride. So perhaps this movie was somewhat of a bump in an otherwise very long and fruitful career.

I believe that most of us could never hold up to the kind of constant scrutiny that those of your stature are subjected to every day. So you got a bit lose with the booze and your tongue started running before your brain was engaged. Happens to all of us at one time or another. But since you're famous you're going to have suffer some when you slip up. To keep it all in perspective just remember what the photograhers and scandal rags did to Princess Diana.

So, hold your head up, you've apologized to everyone. What else can you do? Get on with your life and continue to make great movies! Here's an idea for one. A realistic protrayal of life in Ohio circa 1776 to say 1840. What a cast of characters you would have. Tecumseh, Chief Blue Jacket, Wayne, Boone and so on. Our story has never really been told on film. And there is more drama in our history than all of the westerns combined. Think about it. I won't even charge you for the idea. However my son is an aspiring actor in New York, and if you gave him a part with filming on location here in Ohio, I might actually get to visit with him a bit. Good luck to you.

Answer 3

I actually liked Apocalypto. I really didn't think it looked that good, but I was pleasantly surprised.

It had a lot of action, and was a great plot. The visual effects were amazing. Thank you Mel. You may hate Jews, but you know how to make a movie.

Answer 4

I love the Jews and consider them brothers and sisters. I'm more bothered by Mel's driving drunk and speeding and putting others' lives in danger than what he said or what he thinks. If he was going to drink, he should have stayed home!!

That said, I love his movies and I loved Apocalypto too. Too long, like most movies of the same genre, but still great nonetheless IMO. The violence didn't bother me b/c sadly I am desensitized to it.

Answer 5

Your art is evident as is your heart- But the Movie going public do not like subtitles- If we wanted to read a book we do I feel readigng subtitles you have to see the movie two or three times to get the full effect because we miss things when we read.... Also many people read at different speeds and not always can get the full impact you desired.

Answer 6

Well, Mel...some people just didn't expect that much violence in the wars between empires. Your movie was too much for the country...the same country that makes movies like "Hostel," and "Saw 1-3" the number one movie for weeks.
I very much liked Apocalypto and think that you were robbed at the Oscars. I suppose people nowadays are just keeping their fingers crossed for Lethal Weapon 5.

Answer 7

honestly, i didn't like it cause i had very high expectations. the previews made it seem like a godly movie, and tasteless people made it seem like the movie of the millenium, so i expected an incredible film.

and to tell u the truth... "mel"... all i got was 2 hours of a very long story that could have been told in a much shorter time, and the story was basically an introduction to pocahontas! i mean come on! i was expecting someone to jump down from one of those boats in the end and say "hi, i'm john smith"

Answer 8

I tried to not ask the question "what is Mel Gibson trying to say to us." I just enjoyed the realism and sheer terror of the sacrifice scene. I know its full of anachronisms but you never said it was an exact historical account.
The second half of the movie was just like Rambo - First Blood: Awesome! You even did the mud camouflage scene. Gnarly.

Answer 9

Just shut your Jew hating mouth and call Danny Glover... the 2 of you need to get together again and make another Lethal Weapon movie... maybe call it Lethal Weapon 5 - The Drunken Jew Hater rides again !

Answer 10

Planes Trains And Automobiles When John Candy is singing The Mess Around in the car and eventually ends up going the wrong way down the interstate.

Answer 11

Personally I'm not gonna see it. It looks weird. But I guess What women want was a good movie.