Soundtrack Review: Apocalypto

By Douglas Strassler Feb 15, 2007, 13:23 GMT

Mel Gibson’s most recent directorial effort, Apocalypto, is a challenging movie.  It chronicles the Mayan culture as it faces annihilation by invading civilization.  In an old-fashioned sort of Survivor setting, Mayan tribesman Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood) must outrun, outwit and outlast some relentless pursuers on the way back to his family.  In a brave move, Gibson directed the movie in the culture’s own Mesoamerican dialect rather than in English.  The film then relies on the strength of its music for extra resonance.

Oscar-winner James Horner (Titanic) provides the music, with the occasional vocals provided by Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn.  He effectively punctuates this chase film with some real emotional elements, heightening the life-threatening elements of Apocalypto.  The smartest thing he does is utilize solo instruments to reflect Jaguar Paw’s solitude in his struggle for survival.  Horner’s instrumentation includes a jungle theme on such tracks as “The Games and Escape” and “No Longer the Hunted” and a love theme for Jaguar Pa and his family (including ("Holcane Attack", "Words Through the Sky - The Eclipse").

Horner also uses synthesizers rather than grand orchestral effects to simulate the sound of the jungle.  Meanwhile, Khan and Terry Edwards provide a litany of esoteric vocal effects, such as chanting and wailing.  I recommend watching the soundtrack after seeing the movie; the musical moments work far better with musical cues.  Nonetheless, Horner has achieved another success.  Despite the controversy surrounding Gibson’s movie, the soundtrack is an artistic feat.