REEL CRITICS:Gibson goes gory again

The magnificent cinematography in “Apocalypto” creates an ancient world of stunning beauty. It will truly transport you into the Yucatan rain forest culture of six centuries ago. Like “The Passion of the Christ,” the otherworldly atmosphere is enhanced by sparse dialogue presented entirely in native languages with English subtitles. Intensely visual — very few words are needed to explain what you will see.

But this beautiful world is totally defiled by the stomach-churning violence and unspeakable cruelty that saturates the blood-soaked screen. Director Mel Gibson continues to shine his spotlight on the most disgusting and sadistic acts that any human could perpetrate on another. The rape of helpless women, the killing of their children and the torture of their men are the disgusting focus of this film.

The worst aspects of Mayan civilization are on full display, with human sacrifice being the central focus of the leadership’s power. This gives Gibson ample opportunity to show you relentlessly gory scenes of beating hearts being carved out of living men. Human heads are rolled down pyramid steps like bowling balls. Giant pits of decaying, headless bodies look like scenes from a Nazi death camp transported to ancient times.

The story ends with the longest and most relentless foot chase you will ever see in a movie. Terrible revenge finishes the death march of the main characters. Released during the Christmas season, what is the point of all this bloody gore in such a gorgeous setting? Go ask Mel — because I don’t get it.

So it was quite enlightening to learn in “Blood Diamond” about conflict diamonds — stones mined at gunpoint and “laundered” to fuel savage civil wars in Africa. As more Americans buy diamonds than any other country, the subject seemed ripe for a film treatment.

Set in 1999 in Sierra Leone, Leonardo DiCaprio plays a colorful character, Danny Archer, a South African diamond smuggler and mercenary. Ever the opportunist, he takes an interest in a poor fisherman-turned-miner, Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou), after he hears about a giant pink stone that would make J-Lo’s mouth water.

Everybody’s got an angle, even the lovely American journalist Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly), who is “tired of writing about victims.” But she’s no saint, and she snaps away with her camera during other people’s most profound moments of grief and anguish.

Directed by Edward Zwick, “Blood Diamond” is an exciting action thriller set in an exotic land. Lush, green landscapes share the screen with horrible scenes of genocide. Young boys, plucked from home and brainwashed, join with the rebels in the slaughter of other children.

The acting is first-rate, and Hounsou (“Gladiator”) could give Morgan Freeman a run for his money at portraying dignified and noble. Connelly looks more Vogue model than hard-hitting journalist, but she gamely gives it her all.

DiCaprio’s performance is a strong follow-up to this year’s “The Departed,” thus he may be forgiven for a little scene-chewing.

The ending is a little pat and contrived to make us shed a few tears, but Zwick gets bonus points for not allowing the attraction between Danny and Maddy to become the story’s main focus.

‘Diamond’ is rough, enlighteningAlthough they are a girl’s best friend, I never gave a thought as to how diamonds are produced and sold.