Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
2006
R
118 Minutes
Living with her tyrannical stepfather in a new home with her pregnant mother, 10-year-old Ofelia feels alone until she explores a decaying labyrinth guarded by a mysterious faun who claims to know...
User Review
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WHAT I LIKED: 'Pan's Labirynth,' is Guillermo Del Toro's most infamous piece of work, and it's not hard to see why as he goes full adult fairytale here, and the result is something truly magical. Yes dealing with some properly difficult subject matters and an extremely dark story partly through the eyes of a charmed and frightened child makes for a very unusual take where the themes transcend beautifully. But more so than that, Del Toro manages to inject the film wth an ambiguous style of storytelling which adds to the sense of mystery and wonderment for the viewer, and means that it's just as much a fairytale to us as it is for the young lead. Couple that with a truly enchanting atmosphere built by brilliant visuals and a wonderful score, as well as properly spellbinding performances across the board, and what you get is a film that's truly unique and genuinely timeless.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: It is arguable that partly because it's such a blend of reality and fantasy that the film doesn't really allow itself to truly advance and delve fully into its mystical or serious thematic elements. This may be why it's so successful, but, whilst it's wonderful, ambiguity doesn't always equate to meaning.
VERDICT: A truly spellbinding adult fairytale that takes the mysticism of child fantasy and blends it with the darkest of realities, 'Pan's Labyrinth,' is a tricky balancing act, but one which Del Toro holds effortlessly. What a magical film.0 member like this review.
