[MOVIE REVIEW] Pan's Labyrinth
Friday, 22 February 2008 18:00 | Written by Chris Warner | 
Title: Pan's Labyrinth
Release Date: 11 October 2006 (Spain)
Directed By: Guillermo del Toro
Studio: Esperanto Filmoj/ Estudios Picasso/ OMM/ Picturehouse/ Telecinco/ Tequila Gang
Rating: 10 of 10
{mosimage}Pan's Labyrinth is historical fiction and fantasy, both, separately. Set in Spain during Franco's dictatorial reign, the movie follows the trials of Ofelia, whose mother is married to a Spanish Captain loyal to Franco, and whose uncle is a member of the loyalist guerrilla forces opposing Franco's regime. Ofelia is approached by a small fairy-like creature who leads her into an ancient labyrinth where she meets a faun. The Faun tells her that she is the long lost princess of the fairy realm, and puts her to three tests to prove her heritage.
The fantasy portions are inspired by classical parables and fairy tales. Pan's Labyrinth pulls no punches, and is tied not to our sanitized fantasy, but instead to the cruel, brutal and grotesque fairy tales of the middle ages.
The extreme and unforgiving violence of the fairy world is surpassed only by the violence of the real world of the Spanish Civil War. The comparison drawn between the impossibly cruel world of fantasy and the gritty and real violence of the war is unmistakable. The driving difference between the two settings is only that violence in the fantasy world is accompanied with bright colors, flourishing visual effects, and brutal animal emotion. The violence in the real world is just as cruel, just as brutal, but is darker, and contains genuine malice. The real world is more extreme than the fantasy.
{mosgoogle right}The story told, in both worlds, is deep and excellent. The acting is stellar all around, and the production values are top-notch. Pay special attention to the use of color, as it draws a clear division throughout the film.
Pan's Labyrinth is filmed in Spanish, and is not currently available dubbed. Rent it, buy it, watch it. I cannot recommend this film enough. If you speak Spanish, you'll appreciate the voice acting, if you do not, you will appreciate it anyway. If you dislike reading subtitles, then this film is a reason to get over it.
Seriously, watch it.
Release Date: 11 October 2006 (Spain)
Directed By: Guillermo del Toro
Studio: Esperanto Filmoj/ Estudios Picasso/ OMM/ Picturehouse/ Telecinco/ Tequila Gang
Rating: 10 of 10
{mosimage}Pan's Labyrinth is historical fiction and fantasy, both, separately. Set in Spain during Franco's dictatorial reign, the movie follows the trials of Ofelia, whose mother is married to a Spanish Captain loyal to Franco, and whose uncle is a member of the loyalist guerrilla forces opposing Franco's regime. Ofelia is approached by a small fairy-like creature who leads her into an ancient labyrinth where she meets a faun. The Faun tells her that she is the long lost princess of the fairy realm, and puts her to three tests to prove her heritage.
The fantasy portions are inspired by classical parables and fairy tales. Pan's Labyrinth pulls no punches, and is tied not to our sanitized fantasy, but instead to the cruel, brutal and grotesque fairy tales of the middle ages.
The extreme and unforgiving violence of the fairy world is surpassed only by the violence of the real world of the Spanish Civil War. The comparison drawn between the impossibly cruel world of fantasy and the gritty and real violence of the war is unmistakable. The driving difference between the two settings is only that violence in the fantasy world is accompanied with bright colors, flourishing visual effects, and brutal animal emotion. The violence in the real world is just as cruel, just as brutal, but is darker, and contains genuine malice. The real world is more extreme than the fantasy.
{mosgoogle right}The story told, in both worlds, is deep and excellent. The acting is stellar all around, and the production values are top-notch. Pay special attention to the use of color, as it draws a clear division throughout the film.
Pan's Labyrinth is filmed in Spanish, and is not currently available dubbed. Rent it, buy it, watch it. I cannot recommend this film enough. If you speak Spanish, you'll appreciate the voice acting, if you do not, you will appreciate it anyway. If you dislike reading subtitles, then this film is a reason to get over it.
Seriously, watch it.
Last Updated (Sunday, 02 March 2008 19:39)
