Maybe it's a thirst for mayhem Mel discovered as Mad Max in the movie of the same name, then "Road Warrior" and "Thunderdome." All three entertaining and "campy," but also violent and brutal. Perhaps Mel is merely returning to his cinematic roots.

    The best way to view "Apocalypto" is probably from between the fingers covering your face. But no matter how you look at it, the film that dwells on the savagery of the Mayan civilization -- advances in mathematics, astronomy, science and writing are not depicted -- is without a doubt the most gory film ever released by the motion picture company that brought us "Snow White."

    Co-produced by Walt Disney Company's Touchstone label, "Apocalypto" is -- like "Passion" -- painful to watch, despite the cinematography and an impressive performance by Rudy Youngblood, who portrays the savage protagonist Jaguar Paw.

    Jaguar's journey begins innocently enough with an opening scene wherein a male tapir is impaled to death and an infertile member of the hunting party is persuaded by his fellow hunters to eat the animal's testicles.

    But it doesn't take long for the blood-letting to begin. Murderous Mayans descend upon Jaguar's peaceful village: men and children are slaughtered and women raped. Jaguar is one of several men captured to be offered as sacrifices, but he escapes and sets out to find his family.

    As moviegoers follow Jaguar's travails they are treated to scenes of hundreds of rotting corpses, a face being devoured by a panther, a chest being torn open by a blunt arrowhead and a head spewing blood like a geyser.

    But what's the point of this Gibson co-written and directed film? What led to the fall of the Mayan empire? And why does everyone in the film -- including Jaguar and friends -- speak the language spoken by Mayan descendants?

    The Mayan gospel according to Gibson reveals glimpses of Mayan culture and customs, but what about its architectural and scientific achievements?

    "Apocalypto" focuses on decadence, barbarism, decapitated heads and still-beating hearts torn from the chests of human sacrifices.

    Instead of a movie with a storyline that thrills and informs, Gibson offers "Nightmare On Elm Street" in the jungle.

    (Agencies)