Pan's Labyrinth

It’s very hard to imagine a fairy tale with the Spanish civil war as a backdrop. But Pan’s Labyrinth has the elements of the typical fairy tale: tragedy, a villain, a princess and magic. The princess in this murky fairytale is named Ofelia. She is a little girl who suffers silently. She suffers for her ailing mother who is in the final stages of a difficult pregnancy and confined to an abusive marriage with a tyrant, the villain in this story. He is a callous and evil general who wields his power over innocent people and kills them unnecessarily. Throughout the movie, you see Ofelia escape from the horrors around her into this secret world where she is ruler of a fantasyland with fairies and fawns. The movie is hard to watch at times because of the violence but one can’t help but be touched by her bravery and imagination. It seems strange to describe the movie as beautiful. The imagery is gray and repulsive and the plot is tragic and depressing. But, if you look deeper into the meaning behind it, you will find that it actually has a somewhat happy ending and beauty does lie in the darkest of places.

I am always so appreciative of movies that break the mold and bring about a concept, visually and psychologically, that has never been explored before. A fairy tale unlike any you have ever seen before - dark, enchanting and thought-provoking. It is the kind of movie that you could sit around for hours probing and exploring its many layers. The acting is beautifully done, especially by Ivana Baquero, the wonderfully talented little girl who plays Ofelia with such sincerity and intensity. She has the soul of an old woman but yet still retains the wonder of a child in those eyes. This should be at the top of the list for future rentals or purchases. del Toro is one of those hidden treasures in the abundant pool of immensely talented and original directors who I feel don't get the accolades and attention they so rightfully deserve. He has a vision so unusual and intriguing that you cannot help but become awestruck.

Source: Film Focus UK - http://www.filmfocus.co.uk/review.asp?ReviewID=20717

Official Site: http://www.panslabyrinth.com/