Rated R for graphic violence and some language.
112 Minutes
Written and Directed By: Guillermo del Toro
Staring: Ivana Baquero (Ofelia), Sergei Lopez (Captain Vidal), Maribel Verdu (Mercedes), Doug Jones, Roger Casamajor, Álex Angulo, and Ariadna Gil
Review:
"The captain has been so good to us... Please, Ofelia, call him father. It's just a word, Ofelia, just a word." -Carmen
For a film that’s previews made it seem like a Wizard Of Oz type of movie, it had very little in common with the Wizard Of Oz, unless The Wizard Of Oz suddenly took acid and had an extremely dark and violent paranoid trip. The spooky feel Pan’s Labyrinth emotes makes it an incredibly somber film about a lonely girl caught in a world of war and violence. Her jaded perception of the world even poisons her own imagination with the grim fantasy land she escapes to.
This story that more appropriately fits into the horror genre than anything may have caught me off guard, but after understanding the perspective thirty or so minutes in, I was caught in the twisted mythology that filmmaker Guillermo del Toro created. Del Toro is also responsible for the film Hellboy and Mimic, two visually and thematically dark films. The difference Pan’s Labyrinth takes on is fathoms apart from each of those movies. There is the element of fantasy when Ofelia is alone desperately seeking something to connect to, a way to hide from the real life horror surrounding her. This is no movie for children. The fantasy world becomes just as frightening as her real world, and while some of the events and character’s may mirror helpful fairytale character’s, like the faun, they seem demonic and cruel.
There is no monster in the film more fearful than the Captain. Captain Vidal is methodically played by Sergei Lopez in a subtle and terrifying performance. The spectacle of his character may be a monstrosity, but a very real one. Lopez does not deter from his icy interpretation of the Captain once, as his behavior is just as static clean as his uniform. His sadistic manner is nonchalant, and his temper unforgiving. It was horrific to watch his character unveil itself. Every moment you hope he redeems himself, he only furthers his cruelty, to the final scenes.
I want to emphasize that this is not a movie for children, and not just because of the subtitles. It’s a nightmarish fantasy world for adults who can’t protect children from their wrong doings. The results of the evils of war and violence on the innocent seems to leave for little room for hope. By the films has finish there is a small glint of peace and hope if you can look past it’s shocking end. Visually and conceptually brilliant, it’s execution was even more. Pan’s Labyrinth is the kind of movie you don’t ever forget about and will linger with you indefinitely. It was profound and heartbreaking.
One of my absolute favorite movies ever, and easily my favorite GDT movie. Totally love this one. It’s beautiful, impeccably filmed and put together, and wonderfully acted; that it runs on GDT’s unfathomably delightful and immense imagination makes all of those aspects even better.
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Like Andrew, one of the my favorite movie to this day. Captain Vidal is one of the most underrated villains of all-time. I rarely ever see him on any list of that kind but he should be all the way near the top!
Pan’s Labyrinth is such an incredibly beautiful film visually and it’s not done in a pointless kind of way. Instead, it’s to build this eerie and haunting atmosphere that lingers with you well past the end credits. Finally, the soundtrack is absolutely stunning. Glad you enjoyed this Heather
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Great movie but the good news is Roddy’s back!!!
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One of my all-time favorite films. When I first saw this on the big screen, there was only room to sit in the front row. The subtitles were a challenge, and it must have looked like I was watching a tennis match (my head was going right to left and left to right) !
I just sat down to watch del Toro’s flick Cronos and realized that there was so many of his movies that I hadn’t seen yet, Pans Labyrinth being at the top of that list. It’s time to start digging through the piles and pull this one out, especially after all the love that seems to be going this flicks way in your review and the comments following.
And how is it that when I finally got my schedule all worked out so I could get back to reading Movie Mobsters, all the posts seem to be slow coming? I think I need more mob in my days now!
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A terrific film and a great review, Heather. Love the story and the visuals. I also like the fact it’s a children’s story made entirely for adults – that fantasy and sense of adventure we seem to lose when we pass the legal drinking age.
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One of my favourites.
You’re right this movie definitely lingers. Especially that lullaby. I find myself humming it sometimes.
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I’m an avid fan of fantasy movies and Pans Labyrinth is one of the best film in years — dark, passionate and beautifully made. A haunting, but beautifully conceived mix of fantasy and reality that is like no other film released in 2006.
One of my favourites. Pan’s Labyrinth is such an incredibly beautiful film visually and it’s not done in a pointless kind of way. And how is it that when I finally got my schedule all worked out so I could get back to reading Movie Mobsters, all the posts seem to be slow coming? It’s time to start digging through the piles and pull this one out, especially after all the love that seems to be going this flicks way in your review and the comments following.
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