Pan's Labyrinth

[Bourne101]

http://www.deltorofilms.com/featured_pix/Cartel.jpg

Directed by Guillermo del Toro

Genre: Fantasy/Thriller

Tagline: Innocence Has A Power Evil Cannot Imagine.

Plot: A pregnant mother and her young daughter move to Spain to live with the father of the mother's baby. He turns out to be not so nice, so the daughter looks for other things to do. A fairy leads her to a Labyrinth, where she is told that she is a princess, but she must complete three tasks for it to be finalized. She struggles through them, while her mother is extremely sick and her step-father is doing evil work and beating people left, right and center. Lots of bizarre, violent and dark things ensue!

Starring: Ivana Baquero, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, Ariadna Gil, Doug Jones and Álex Angulo.

Rated R for graphic violence and some language.

Runtime: 112 minutes


I was anticipating this movie for a while since Joblo's review a while ago. I finally got to see a screening of it today! And I was not dissapointed. It wasn't quite what I was expecting but there were lots of things I did expect and both expected and unexpected were great.

This movie has some very bizzare things, mostly creatures in and around the Labyrinth, but they were very interesting and weren't so weird that it was pointless. Everything had a meaning which made the movie that much better.

This movie is very violent and graphic. There are several bloody shooting, some nasty slashings and beatings. It is all very realistic and perfectly directed. This added to the "dark" affect that Guillermo del Toro seemed to be going for. And it is a very dark film, with evil characters and nice characters. It's just like any other fairy tale, but not intended for kids. This is not a kids movie. I expect a Death to Smoochy like controversy. A little Barney type thing on the poster and in the trailer, and parents come out pissed. Except in this case, it is a trailer that's a little creepier, but still looks like a PG or PG-13 type of movie. Trust me, it is hard R.

The directing is absolutely amazing and some of the shots are absolutely beautiful. The acting was great on all parts and the subtitles never took away from anything, although I still prefer movies to be in English. I would never watch this in dubbed English though, or it might take the effect away.

If you get a chance to see this in theatres, you better take up the opportunity. It is a fairy tale you will not want to miss!

8.5/10


I know this thread is a little early. But face it, tons of people have already seen it since back about 3 months ago. It is about time to get some discussion and reviews on this movie.

[chinton]

I have afeeling this is going to be one of my favorite films of the year.

[bob]

Yeah, I saw a test screening of it in early October, and I loved it.

It's not the type of film that you really love while watching it, I don't think, but it's an amazing experience as a whole.

But yeah...heh...don't bring anyone under 16. Much more violent than I was expecting. But lots of del Toro's trademark black humor, too.

[parsonz]

the film sems crazy but it does sound interesting

[yoyoyah]

Yeah this looks like a good one. Been seeing some of the posters on the underground and it looks enchanting.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

I don't care if I have to drive two or three hours to see this, I'm definately seeing it dammit. Del Toro has yet to dissapoint me.

[theGruppe]

I was disappointed by it. There seemed to be some major disjuncts in the plot, especially regarding the protagonist and antagonist. The protagonist (the girl) seems to have a completely disconnected relationship to the events of the real world, and as such the film quickly becomes two different storylines that don't seem to have anything to do with one another.

The "bad guy" (the general) only has fleeting contact with the little girl until the very end, and instead provides obstacles for the other characters, the Itallian revolutionaries.

The antagonist for the main character is really Pan/the Satyr, who provides the girl with a series of challenges, which don't seem to have any relationship to the real world.

Further, the characters aren't particularly interesting. Each one seems to be a fairly stereotypical. The visuals are good, but tend to get drabbed down by the fact that 80% of the film takes place in a drab rainy forested mountain in Italy. The really pretty parts are all shown off in the trailer.

The result is one decent and excessively violent and somewhat drab film about the Italian revolution, and one very poor, but very pretty, film about the imagination of a little girl who has separated herself from the real world, combined together in such a way that neither adds to the other. Not a bad film, but nowhere near as special as everyone seems to make it out to be.

[Criminal Rock]

you and I obviously didn't watch the same film, Gruppe...

[X-Nightcrawler]

Originally posted by theGruppe
The antagonist for the main character is really Pan/the Satyr, who provides the girl with a series of challenges, which don't seem to have any relationship to the real world. You didn't really 'get' it, did you?

[denial_twist]

i can't fucking wait to see this flick.

[RandalGraves]

Originally posted by denial_twist
i can't fucking wait to see this flick.

[Bourne101]

I think I might go see this again in theatres to see the crowd's reaction. It's such a strange movie and I'm amazed at how many people on the net are dying to see this, because although it was a great film, it just doesn't seem like a movie that would appeal to a lot of people.

[jord2006]

whens it gonna be released in Australia

[X-Nightcrawler]

Originally posted by Tai Mai Jew
you and I obviously didn't watch the same film, Gruppe... I just noticed that no, definitely not. Whatever he saw is about the Italian revolution.

[deftdelivery]

Saw this film at the Santa Fe Film Festival a few days ago...

WOW.

To anyone who didn't GET this movie:

I pity you. I really truly pity you. Because a near perfect movie has just flown past your head.

Check this out as soon as you can guys. It is a remarkable film, one to be remembered for years to come.

[Cronos]

one of my most anticipated films of the year and luckily found out this had been released over here before it disappeared....and i loved it, some amazing visuals and set/creature designs which are excellently created. very engaging story with an all round excellent cast....theres also one hell of a cringe worthy scene

currently my favourite movie of the year

10/10

[Tayzlor]

nvm

[dman476]

Originally posted by deftdelivery
To anyone who didn't GET this movie:

I pity you. I really truly pity you. Because a near perfect movie has just flown past your head.
Um...what's to get?
It isn't very good - that's it.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Thank God a theater around me (the Cinemall) has finally started to get limited releases, I finally get to see this very soon! :D

[Terror Australis]

Originally posted by jord2006
whens it gonna be released in Australia

18th January 2007. I'll happen to be in Sydney at that time and I want to check it out too.

[electriclite]

I need to see this movie soon or I will EXPLODE!!

[Ender]

Along with CHILDREN OF MEN and V FOR VENDETTA way back in March, this is by far my most anticipated film of the year. I've been an enormous fan of Guillermo del Torro for years (so much so that I even forgave him for making MIMIC). The trailer was certainly intriguing (I described it to my mother as "Kind of like NARNIA, only not crap") and I curse whoever gave it the late-December release.

[Lazy Boy]

I sure hope it's playing somewhere really, really, really, really within driving distance near me come the 29th...I'm really excited to see this.

[Strider]

Originally posted by Lazy Boy
I sure hope it's playing somewhere really, really, really, really within driving distance near me come the 29th...I'm really excited to see this.

Ditto. If not, I may have to wait until it expands. Other than Children of Men, Pan's Labyrinth is the last 2006 film I'm greatly anticipating. I think this film could be really, really fantastic.

Strider

[Scarfather]

Just saw it, what a fuckin' movie.

Not only was it an amazing film, it had some of the best scenes of the year.

It will definitely make my Top 10 of 2006.

[Psychocandy]

Originally posted by Scarfather
Just saw it, what a fuckin' movie.

Not only was it an amazing film, it had some of the best scenes of the year.

It will definitely make my Top 10 of 2006.

It's my number one. It hit all of the right notes pefectly. I loved the fact that neither one of the two narrative threads were less interesting than the other. I was 100% invested in both the fantasy and non-fantasy scenes. That said...the stand out moment in the movie was the entire feast scene with the pale man. I think this will be the case for many people. That scene chilled me to the bone. I remember seeing some stills of the pale man and thinking, "that is one fucked up creature". I hoped at the time that the realisation and utilisation of the pale man in the movie would be as effective as the stills suggested. The end result was an absolute masterpiece of sustained terror. Definitely the most unnerving movie moment of 2006.

[Ender]

God I hate living in the sticks. Any idea when/if this is getting a wide release? I'm practically on pins and needles to see this movie and I'd rather not resort to downloading it.

[Lazy Boy]

I've read that a wider release is scheduled for the 12th of January.

That said, I'm seeing it in a few hours. Huzzah!

[Monotreme]

I'm seeing this later today and I'm excited as HELL.

[Psychocandy]

Originally posted by Monotreme
I'm seeing this later today and I'm excited as HELL.

And so you should be. A movie of this quality is a rare thing these days.

[DarkKnight81]

Damn limited releases, the closest theatre playing this is over an hour away. Looks like I'll have to wait for the DVD.

[dman476]

Originally posted by Psychocandy
It's my number one. It hit all of the right notes pefectly. I loved the fact that neither one of the two narrative threads were less interesting than the other. I was 100% invested in both the fantasy and non-fantasy scenes. That said...the stand out moment in the movie was the entire feast scene with the pale man. I think this will be the case for many people. That scene chilled me to the bone. I remember seeing some stills of the pale man and thinking, "that is one fucked up creature". I hoped at the time that the realisation and utilisation of the pale man in the movie would be as effective as the stills suggested. The end result was an absolute masterpiece of sustained terror. Definitely the most unnerving movie moment of 2006.
Haha, funny that you mention that scene.

At my screening, there was this woman sitting behind me and when

**SPOILERS**

The creature started chomping on the fairies, she started screaming/crying so loudly. Then I started laughing because she was screaming, and it started a chain reaction. :D

[Asa_Phelps]

Although it was an excellent film, I have to say I am a bit disappointed. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be about at all. Mostly that's my own fault as I obviously set my own expectations but the trailers and even the summaries were somewhat misleading.

While I agree with Psychocandy as far as both narratives being equally involving, the impression which I originally got was


**SPOILERS**

**SPOILERS** !!!!

that the fantasy world was real. When I first saw the promo pics and trailer, I thought 'finally a children's film that's not afraid to be frightening'. Instead it was just a depressing journey of a little girl who drew out the time until her imminent death by completing useless tasks. The last one even probably being directly responsible for what happens since if she had never taken her brother and just stayed in her room, she would have been fine.

[Psychocandy]

Originally posted by Asa_Phelps
Although it was an excellent film, I have to say I am a bit disappointed. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be about at all. Mostly that's my own fault as I obviously set my own expectations but the trailers and even the summaries were somewhat misleading.

While I agree with Psychocandy as far as both narratives being equally involving, the impression which I originally got was


**SPOILERS**

**SPOILERS** !!!!

that the fantasy world was real. When I first saw the promo pics and trailer, I thought 'finally a children's film that's not afraid to be frightening'. Instead it was just a depressing journey of a little girl who drew out the time until her imminent death by completing useless tasks. The last one even probably being directly responsible for what happens since if she had never taken her brother and just stayed in her room, she would have been fine.

SPOILERS

Any idea how she might have gotten out of the room though? The door was locked.

[Asa_Phelps]

Originally posted by Psychocandy
SPOILERS

Any idea how she might have gotten out of the room though? The door was locked.

**SPOILERS**

I was actually discussing this with the people who I saw the film with and one guy suggested that she found a trap door or just another way out but imagined that she exited through the chalk-drawn door.

[Zhoozhitsu]

SPOILERS

So was Ofelia's fantasy world just a fantasy or real? In the end, she could've just died and joined her parents. On the other hand, there were connections between the fantasy and the real worlds, e.g. the chalk she used to open doors to other rooms in the compound she was living in.

[dfd3657]

Holy shit. 99% average at Rotten Tomatoes. 73 fresh, 1 rotten. I've been wanting to see this for quite some time now, and now I'm abso-fucking-lutely stoked. If it doesn't open somewhere slightly near me on the 12th, I'll be fucking pissed.

[DareDevil]

Watched it last night, Good but not what I was expecting. I'll have to think about this movie for a while and probaly see it again. I agree with someone above that the best scene was when she had her encounter with the pale man, I just thought more of the movie was going to be done in that style. I'll probaly watch it again tomorrow.

[Typezer0]

Pan's Labyrinth
January 12:

* Austin TX
* Boston
* Dallas / Ft. Worth
* Houston
* Miami / Ft. Lauderdale
* Philadelphia
* Sacramento
* San Diego
* Seattle
* Washington DC

January 19:

* Albany
* Albuquerque
* Atlanta
* Baltimore
* Buffalo
* Burlington, VT
* Charlotte
* Cincinnati
* Cleveland
* Columbus
* Denver
* Detroit
* Gainesville
* Indianapolis
* Jacksonville
* Kansas City
* Knoxville
* Las Vegas
* Memphis
* Milwaukee
* Minneapolis
* Monterey
* Nashville
* Oklahoma City
* Orlando / Daytona
* Phoenix
* Pittsburgh
* Portland, OR
* Providence
* Rochester
* San Antonio
* San Francisco
* Santa Fe
* Sarasota
* Springfield, MA
* St. Louis
* State College, PA
* Syracuse
* Tallahassee
* Tampa / St. Petersburg
* Tucson

January 26:

* Even more cities... check back for det

[Mr.HyDe807]

HEY! Enough with the limited releases! I wanna see this right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, its just that i live in long island, New york and i still havent had the pleasure of seeing this movie

[dfd3657]

God dammit. There's nowhere in Connecticut on that list. Hopefully it gets wider on January 19th like it says.

[DaMovieMan]

Definately not what i expected but it grew on me more and more as I walked out and from an immediate 6/10 it's now at 8.5 and I want to see it again. The theme lullaby is beautifully haunting and the gothic atmosphere and style of the film is definately its greatest achievement. That and the fact that Del Toro managed to portray the most realistic fairy tale I've ever seen...


DMM

[TylerDurden182]

Opens around me on Jan. 12... can't wait.

[Monotreme]

Saw this a few days ago, and son of a mother fuck, what a brilliant vision. Many reviewers have smartly pointed out that this is an incredible achivement as a fantasy film for adults. It's certainly dark and quite violent. But it is for adults not necesarily for these reasons, but for its implementations really. It is, to sum it up in one sentence, a movie about how the horrors of war can scar an innocent little girl so much that even her fantasies are dark and disturbing. As a film, though, it is absolutely stunning: well acted and mainly just plain well crafted, with some of the most stimulating visuals of any film this year, and amazing set design, costumes, and special effects. Del Toro is a visual master, and along with his Mexican pals Alfonso Cuaron (who I was surprised to see was a producer on the film!) and Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu is one of the most promising and interesting filmmakers working today (though I prefer the work of the other two slightly more).

RATING: 8.5/10. Can't quite get myself to give it a 9 just yet, but we'll see how it grows on me.

[TylerDurden182]

Pan's Labyrinth- 9/10

Del Toro has created a unique and beautiful film.

[Strider]

Pan's Labyrinth - 9/10 or ****1/2/***** stars

With Pan's Labyrinth, Guillermo Del Toro has masterfully crafted a brilliant adults-only fantasy that is as dark as it is beautiful and primarily centered on a theme of escapism and how, no matter what form it comes in, it can be used to assist one in forgetting (if even temporarily) and enduring whatever struggles, worries, and/or fears that life may bring forward. Ivana Baquero and Sergi Lopez deliver outstanding performances as an innocent young girl who loves fairy tales and a sinister, heartless military captain respectively. Pan's Labyrinth is predominantly a fantasy picture, but it also features elements of a war film, and Del Toro seams both genres flawlessly. Nightmarish, heartbreaking, imaginative, dazzling, and unique - Pan's Labyrinth is all of this and then some; it's a truly fantastic achievement in cinema.

Strider

[dfd3657]

Oh HELL YEAH. Pan's Labyrinth is playing in a theater less than 30 minutes away from where I live. I'm SO fucking seeing this in the next couple of days.

[Quigles]

OK, just wanted to say first and foremost... THIS IS NOT A FANTASY MOVIE.

It's a wartime drama with some fantasy elements included.

That said, it's still a great flick (if a tad bit disappointing because of the lack of 'Alice in Wonderland'-esque material). I loved the multi-layered messages and themes, and how they correlated with the girl's imagination. Very cool.

Guillermo del Toro is a genius, and a master of his craft.

Still... I think I liked THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE more.

[The Other]

Pan's Labyrinth should be opening wide this weekend. I know it's coming around where I live.

[SheLizard]

It just opened here in the DC area over the weekend.

I saw it yesterday, and it was just beautiful. Haunting. Touching. I adored it. I'm still thinking about it, actually, which is the sign of a great movie to me. Definitely in my top 3 of the whole year. If you can see it, gooooo, immediately.

[dfd3657]

I'm leaving in about 15 minutes to go see this. Can't fucking wait.

[JCPhoenix]

MODERATE SPOILERS

I was actually expecting more of the fantastical elements so I was a little surprised to see the wartime story was actually the central story...the visuals were stunning (anyone else think of The Cell in that scene with the table of food?), my favorite being the toad in the first task...

The movie was also surprisingly brutal...I mean, I expected some graphic violence but it was even more brutal than I had imagined. Besides also being surprisingly depressing (though I didn't think these were bad things - just surprising)

I had a few problems...the first third didn't get me involved as much as I was hoping, and I had a few issues with how certain characters acted...I hated the character of the mother but there were especially two instances that annoyed me...one was when Ofelia is at the table of food...those who have seen it know what I'm talking about. I know they set up what happens next earlier with a line from her mother, but it still made me groan...though that little blip is forgiven for the most part because it leads to one of the coolest scenes of course in the film. The second thing that pissed me off was the scene with Mercedes (after running with Ofelia) later in the film...it made no sense to me that she didn't do what she did more "fully"...there was no reason for her to just do it halfway and it really just didn't gel together there at all.

Those are minor nitpicks though...for the most part, I really enjoyed it...the fantasy elements were pitch-perfect and I really liked how they ended the film...it was quite fitting.

8/10

[milath]

Originally posted by JCPhoenix
[b]MODERATE SPOILERS

I was actually expecting more of the fantastical elements so I was a little surprised to see the wartime story was actually the central story...the visuals were stunning (anyone else think of The Cell in that scene with the table of food?), my favorite being the toad in the first task...


Agreed 100%. I immediately thought The Cell in that scene. That scene was also by far the creepiest damn scene I've watched in any movie. Was definitely expecting more fantasy elements overall though. That said, the story was still excellent, and the fantasy parts were in support of the reality story. Extremely sad ending, though uplifting in an odd way as well.

I'd agree with a solid 8/10. Good movie, not best ever, but good. I'd love to see Del Toro do a full on fantasy movie sometime, of his own design and not a comicbook inspired fantasy movie. Great imagination and creature/character design in his work.

[bigred760]

The way this movie blends fantasy and realism is so flawlessly that you wonder sometimes if there is a difference between the two. That is what makes this movie so powerful and so freakin' good. Guillermo del Toro has created a great movie that takes you deep into it and you can't tear away from it. The movie is violent, dark, gothic, and yet kind of innocent - thanks to its younger charismatic lead, 12 year old Ivana Baquero. Her strong turn as a young girl who's put into a horrific situation drives the movie perfectly and she is the heart and soul of the movie.

She plays Ofelia; her and her pregnant mother travel to an army camp where her new stepfather is captain after the end of Spain's civil war. It is here where the captain is the villain and the remaining rebels fight for what little is left of their cause. It is also here where Ofelia creates a quest for herself in an imaginary world; and it is here where the movie excels so well. Del Toro takes us along with Ofelia as she undertakes several tasks to fulfill her journey.

The several scenes where Ofelia is performing these tasks are very suspenseful and engrossing; they go hand in hand with all the violence and ugliness that goes on around her gruesome stepfather, the captain. He makes it very easy to hate him and his cause as he is simply mean and cruel - it's obvious he doesn't love Ofelia's mother, he's just interested in his legacy as she is pregnant with his son. The movie also follows the rebels to an extent, as there are a few of them spying in the captain's base.

The movie's main theme is innocence and escapism in times of ugliness. And the movie excels at showcasing that point; we are brought along for the ride with Ofelia as well as several of the altercations between the captain's forces and the rebels. All of the characters are excellently written and portrayed. Del Toro does a great job of mixing reality and fantasy, and the scenes are beautifully put onscreen. One of the most original movies to come out in a while, and here's hoping del Toro has more in store for us.

8/10

[CreeperBEATNGU]

Absolutely brilliant. A thought provoking, moving look at the dynamics of war and religion played out alongside of Del Toro's very unique, innovative visual style.
I loved Blade 2 and Hellboy, but this is definitely Del Toro's masterpiece. I was completely engaged throughout and moved to tears by the end. Visionaries like Guillermo remind me of why I fell in love with cinema so strongly in the first place.

[The FamilyJulas]

Just saw this tonight, and i loved it. It's probably my second favorite of the year. 10/10

[Le_Big_Mac]

Pan's Labyrinth - 9/10

Great movie. But did anyone else feel a bit disappointed by the monsters. I was expecting there'd be this whole alternate world but there were only three or four creatures in the whole things. As great as the CGI was on those that were in the film, I felt a little cheated. Maybe I'm being too materialistic about this stuff.

[JoeCool]

7/10



While I enjoyed this movie it was not at all what i expected. From what I saw in trailers, early reviews, and plot outlines, I was thinking this was going to be a very scarey adult fantasy. I left the theater thinking well that was a good fairy tale but i was not scared at all. I was let down that it was not a horror film.
But, I would still recommend this movie to anyone who loves fairy tales i was never bored at the movie which was a good sign



spoiler**




I loved it when the Captain beat the guy with the bottle
brutal stuff




*END***

[CreeperBEATNGU]

I think for the most part peoples problems with this film will be more about false advertising than the film itself.
The execution was perfect, it's just not what the promos have you expecting.

[bigred760]

Originally posted by Le_Big_Mac
As great as the CGI was on those that were in the film, I felt a little cheated. Maybe I'm being too materialistic about this stuff.

Was there that much CGI? Other than the fairies, I think everything was pretty much costumes and kickass production design.

[Monotreme]

Originally posted by bigred760
Was there that much CGI? Other than the fairies, I think everything was pretty much costumes and kickass production design.
Well, there was the toad, and then the climax in the high chair court in the end, and the insect near the beginning. But yeah, the greatest fantasy elements (Pan, the Pale Man, etc) are just amazing make-up work and set design.

[Badbird]

Pffft.

SPOILERS!!!

This movie was weak. I didn't see anything brilliant or visonarry about it. It was just a different version/rehash of The Devil's Backbone (which wasn't any good either) and Labyrinth.

For the most part, everything was painfully obvious. The story was flat and predictable. And the Captain was ham-fisted at best.

And don't tell me I didn't "get it." I got it, all right. This was just pseudo-intelectual nonsense dressed up really nice with the addition of spanish subtittles to make you think it's high art, but it's not. I think The Cell is a very good comparison to make. Because both movies are complete turkeys.

I mean, come on. Mercedes doesn't hear FIFTEEN SOLDIERS just walk up behind her?!? And seriously, it's the same story as Labyrinth - she has to save her brother from the Goblin King/Captain, blah, blah, blah. I mean, it's right there in the fucking title. Pan's Labyrinth.

And what was up with Del Torro reusing that same circular fountain-thingy from Hellboy? You know, the one that was filled with blood to ressurect Rasputin? It was the same thing she spilled her blood in at the end. Did he think we didn't see Hellboy? Hell, even the big bug felt recycled from Mimic. The only thing Del Torro didn't rehash in this movie was Wesley Snipes.

[RiverStyx]

I keep hearing a lot of the same things in the reviews I've been reading. That the whole fairytale part is the girl's imagination. I thought so too at first, but when it got to a certain part in the film I honestly had to wonder if it was all just in her head.

Other than that, the moral of the story is pretty clear. The difference between the girl and the Captain and how the girl passes her final test demonstrate a point. It all has to do with questioning what your told when you think something isn't right instead of blindly following authority figures to do immoral acts.

[FiveDaze]

AMAZING! 10/10

[Criminal Rock]

everybody should listen to fivedaze... he knows all.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

Originally posted by Badbird
Pffft.

SPOILERS!!!

This movie was weak. I didn't see anything brilliant or visonarry about it. It was just a different version/rehash of The Devil's Backbone (which wasn't any good either) and Labyrinth.

For the most part, everything was painfully obvious. The story was flat and predictable. And the Captain was ham-fisted at best.

And don't tell me I didn't "get it." I got it, all right. This was just pseudo-intelectual nonsense dressed up really nice with the addition of spanish subtittles to make you think it's high art, but it's not. I think The Cell is a very good comparison to make. Because both movies are complete turkeys.

I mean, come on. Mercedes doesn't hear FIFTEEN SOLDIERS just walk up behind her?!? And seriously, it's the same story as Labyrinth - she has to save her brother from the Goblin King/Captain, blah, blah, blah. I mean, it's right there in the fucking title. Pan's Labyrinth.

And what was up with Del Torro reusing that same circular fountain-thingy from Hellboy? You know, the one that was filled with blood to ressurect Rasputin? It was the same thing she spilled her blood in at the end. Did he think we didn't see Hellboy? Hell, even the big bug felt recycled from Mimic. The only thing Del Torro didn't rehash in this movie was Wesley Snipes.

Del Toro's films have simialar themes of good and evil, and blending supernatural horror with human drama, but they're hardly rehashes of the same story. They're different stories with recurring elements.
This story is about faith, about people that follow orders just for the sake of it even if they're clearly wrong, much different from what was being conveyed in The Devil's Backbone.
Hellboy has the same theme of our choices determining what type of person we become, but that hardly makes them rehashes of the same story. The captain was very realistically depicted as a ruthless dictator, nothing more and nothing less which serves one of the major themes of the story.
Mimic is a story about our understanding(or lack there if)in God's plan and in evolution, nothing even close to this story, regardless of whether a bug visual is used in both.
Cronos also uses bug visuals, but it's a story about addiction, a much different story than Mimic or PL.

[FiveDaze]

tis true tis true... thank you jew

And the film was nothing like the Labryinth, I remember a lot more dancing muppets in THAT film... I mean thats still a rad film for its time... Jim Hensen @ his best

PAN'S is WAY darker... definitely NOT for kids...

The film is one of the most beautifully shot fantasy films I have seen in a while...This relatively low-budget film is going to sweep the oscars this year....


Mark my words.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

Here's Del Toro's take on the ending...

SPOILERS






This is the dispute going on among people who have seen your film. Was Ofelia in her fantasy world? Was it a real world? I keep saying such questions pose a false dichotomy.

Del Toro: Yes, of course. And it's intimate. If the movie works as a piece of storytelling, as a piece of artistic creation, it should tell something different to everyone. It should be a matter of personal discussion. Now objectively, the way I structured it, there are three clues in the movie that tell you where I stand. I stand in that it's real. The most important clues are the flower at the end, and the fact that there's no way other than the chalk door to get from the attic to the Captain's office.

MG: Yes, and again referring back to the dynamic of their dyad, Mercedes notices the chalk door; they aren't just in Ofelia's imagination.

Del Toro: Objectively, those two clues tell you it's real. The third clue is she's running away from her stepfather, she reaches a dead end, by the time he shows up she's not there. Because the walls open for her. So sorry, there are clues that tell you where I stand and I stand by the fantasy. Those are objective things if you want. The film is a Rorschach test of where people stand.

[Asa_Phelps]

Wow . . . I hate to say this but being told that her fantasy world was real kind of makes me lose some appreciation for this film.

[Monotreme]

Originally posted by Asa_Phelps
Wow . . . I hate to say this but being told that her fantasy world was real kind of makes me lose some appreciation for this film. He said it's his interpretation. Those who want to believe it's real have enough proof, and those of us who choose to believe that it was her imagination find our own proof. While I think that it's pretty damn clear in the end that it's not real and in her mind, it is true that Guillermo leaves us some clues that point out that perhaps it's a little more real than we thought - for instance, the mandrake root did seem to make the mother feel better, even though it was just a piece of trash she put under her bed. So, you never know... I still think it was imaginary, but it's sort of like Life of Pi; you can interpret it as you want. Like you, Asa, I think the film works better if it's her imagination.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

SPOILER



I found it rather obvious that it was real, I didn't even consider that it was all in her imagination until contemplating the film later on. For me it would hurt the film to find out that it weren't real.

I think someones spirituality or lack there of would play a larger factor in their interpretation of the ending.
I thought the movie was a brilliant, thought provoking metaphor for life, death, and afterlife.

[Lazy Boy]

*SPOILERS*


The various points that made me think the fantasy segments were real involved, as mentioned, the chalk door in Ofelia's room at the end (how else was she able to escape, being that she was locked in, and I don't recall any windows) and her being able to evade Vidal in the labyrinth when he was right on her tail, about to get her. Yes, he didn't see the faun when she was talking to it, but I automatically thought that children are able to see things that adults, long into their cynical stages in life, have long forgotten or refused to see. It could be a little of both -- real fantasy, or a mental escape from a young girl who exists in a world where men have long strived for youth and subsequently put it away in order to stage war games. But, I don't think the fantasy should be discounted as reality, as others have said.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

SPOILER



The very tagline of the film speaks of the innocent being able to see things that evil cannot, so Vidal not seeing Pan in no way whatsoever confirms that he wasn't real.

[Lazy Boy]

^^

Which is what I mentioned in my paragraph...sorry if I'm not making any sense. :)

Vidal wasn't entirely evil the second time around, either...I mean, yeah, he was pretty much a self admitted monster, but little things such as the slicing the razor blade across the mirror and the oft-mentioned watch reveal a monster who indeed is trying to overwhelm or lock away another side of himself.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

SPOILERS



I never got that impression from him, he was pretty much purely evil with no emotion other than things like rage and arrogance, there wasn't a single redeeming quality about him.

[Lazy Boy]

True, I thought he was one-note at times -- del Toro would've been better served to maybe present him as a little charming at the beginning, and revealing his monstrosity gradually, but then again, it is a fairytale, so an evil step-parent is a necessity for these things.

It's just that I interpreted a lot of scenes of him realizing that he may be on the verge of death, and his need to carry on a legacy -- while shooting wildly in the forest attack may seem arrogant or show-offy, the big exhale of breath he gives before charging out behind the tree does make me think "no guts, no glory."

Of course, for the most part, he is pretty much a woman-hating pig, a bully, a ruthless, vindictive man -- it's just creepy how he leans over to Ofelia's mother and says, "Do it for me" in such a menacing tone. But, I found some quirks here and there, whether it be in Lopez's performance, that gave a little bit more than what was probably written on paper.

It's just that I go back to that image of the razor slicing across the mirror as one of my favorite from the film.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

SPOILER




Personally I preferred him as being the personification of everything wrong with humanity, I didn't think Del Toro should've made him any more humane.
I love the evil - innocence contrast between Vidal and Ofelia.

There were definitely times when he showed bravery(the shoot out in the forest being one), but that really doesn't make someone at all a good person. Showing courage is only an admirable quality if your showing it for a good cause, not ruthless slaughter because you think you're better than everyone.

[Lazy Boy]

Originally posted by CreeperBEATNGU
Personally I preferred him as being the personification of everything wrong with humanity, I didn't think Del Toro should've made him any more humane.

*SPOILERS*


I agree, I don't think he should've been a major humanitarian or have a sudden change of heart. Since the film is about a child's innocence in the face of a spreading evil, I'm not calling for subtlety in the images or the representations, and neither do people like Bruno Bettleheim, who would've had a field day with the fairy tale elements of this film.

Although, in all honesty, and this is speaking outside of the film in general, I like it when villains are given shades of grey. But, you're right, he's definitely representing something wrong with absolutes and absolute loyalty to a wrong cause -- I love how Dr. Ferrairo questions that even the act of killing this man won't do any good, because the larger, destructive force will send another one to replace him, and another, and another...

Just like Ofelia is contrasted with Vidal in terms of being pure and good, yet she herself is obstinate in eating from the table when Pan warned her not to -- at first, I thought she was being stupid, but then it all goes back to that great line about people who follow without questioning, and how she begins to not follow Pan's orders, especially at the end with the baby. She does the same thing with the three keyholes earlier in that scene, too, deciding to choose her own path instead of the lock the fairies tell her to open. Plus, I can forgive her for eating, because she was after all sent to bed without food, if I remember correctly.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

SPOILERS



What's everyones take on the meaning behind the creatures?

The toad I took as a representation of greed.

The meaning behind the Faun and the Pale Man I'm still trying to figure out.

I know in an interview, Del Toro stated that he intended the eyes arranged on the Pale Man's palms to resemble stygmata wounds.

The partially wooden body of the Faun I took as a representation of he and the tree being part of symbolic of each other.

[Lazy Boy]

*SPOILERS*


The Pale Man is interesting -- del Toro based the image on Goya's painting of Saturn eating children, so that's an influence...as for meaning, the stigmata mentioned is a very religious image, and combined with the pictures of the devoured children, as well as the pile on the floor, it could be said that PM is a representation of the fear instilled in children lest they stray out of doing what they are told, living a religious life, perhaps? The punishment meaning devourment, i.e. their souls being devoured? I'm not entirely sure, but I found an interesting quote by del Toro in which he says, "We designed the Pale Man as faceless, making him an institution like the church that devours the children. Something about that felt pretty natural to this ex-Catholic boy."

[CreeperBEATNGU]

Very interesting take, I hadn't considered that.

I was puzzled as to why he intended there to be stigmata wounds on his hands.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

An article about the themes in the film...

I remember a brief conversation with Guillermo del Toro from some time ago where he talked about, among a few other things, growing up Catholic in Mexico and subsequently losing his faith in the Church while still identifying with it culturally. I dismissed it at the time, finding his thoughts on Hellboy and the Hollywood system infinitely more interesting. I probably would have forgotten about the moment completely, had it not been for his latest film. But it helped me remember his words in a big, big way: Pan’s Labyrinth is probably the most Catholic film I’ve ever seen in a movie theatre.

Apostate of the Church or not, del Toro drips Catholic guilt all over his latest offering. It’s jam-packed with scenes related to temptation, confession, and blood offerings. Most strange and compelling of all, and somewhat in contradiction to his own words, is the fact that the film plays like the fervent prayer of an agnostic who desperately wants to experience faith again. This is not to say that del Toro is a big fan of the Church: one of the big themes of the film is how blind obedience is not always symmetrical with the idea of faith. In fact, the political subversives of the story’s "real" world demonstrate their faith directly through rebellion. It’s just one of many sly themes that del Toro finesses into the story.

We initially encounter Ofelia (lovely and brave Ivana Baquero), a pre-teen still hanging on to her childhood beliefs of fairies and magic, traveling with her pregnant mother to the garrison of her new stepfather, the viciously cruel Captain Vidal (Sergi Lopez, oozing icy menace), loyalist to the fascist Franco. The soon-arriving baby belongs to Vidal, and he intends on keeping a close eye on his new wife’s progress until its arrival. Meanwhile, he’s busy fighting off rebels living in the nearby hills who are opposed to Franco’s tyrannical government, and his head maid Mercedes (great Maribel Verdu) and personal doctor Ferreiro (Alex Angulo) are busy secretly aiding them. As a means of escape from this brutal world, Ofelia enters the world of the faun Pan (the amazing Doug Jones, who learned Spanish for the role), who tells her that she’s a long-lost princess who needs to return to her kingdom before she becomes mortal. To achieve this, she must complete three tasks before the full moon, each of which bears a particular trait to Christianity.

First, Ofelia must defeat a foul toad who lives in a cavern underneath a tree, and whose gluttony is choking the tree out of bearing fruit and flowers. It’s an obvious allusion to the material accumulation of the Catholic Church while its truly faithful adherents wither from want. Second, she must face the Pale Man, a representation of Satan who devours the tempted. Finally, she must offer up an innocent as a blood sacrifice to "open the portal" to her kingdom, a task that culminates in a beautiful portrait of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection.

But del Toro isn’t interested strictly in exploring faith through the fantasy realm. The film is also a political tract that decries and exposes the mythology of honor in war, especially through a compelling subplot dealing with the connection Vidal wishes to make between his father and his newborn son. However, del Toro lingers on these political aspects for far too long, and in the process ends up diluting the importance of Ofelia’s journey and ultimate fate. This is by far the film’s most egregious fault and hurts its emotional impact tremendously. My other issue is with Vidal’s moustache-twirling savagery; it seems like filmmakers constantly feel that these bad guys have to be totally sadistic to the point of one-dimensionality. However, this is a relatively minor quibble in the face of Pan’s Labyrinth clearly being a fable.

In the end, Pan’s Labyrinth is an overwhelmingly sad film that will likely divide audiences with its means and its end. This is a film that unshrinkingly presents the harshness and brutality of war (and indeed life itself, as Ofelia’s mother attests) and longs to escape from it. Some will say it seems to do so by regressing into childhood "fantasy". Others, though, will identify the religious elements and come to an entirely different conclusion. It seems to me that it’s more than the culture of Catholicism that Guillermo del Toro remembers from his youth. Perhaps there’s one verse in particular he remembers well: Except ye become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.

[Bourne101]

Just saw it for a second time and it was much better the second time around. Brought me back to the old Wizard of Oz days (no I'm not that old, but you know what I mean), but in a much darker fashion of course. In my top 5 of the year for sure, and going from an 8.5 to a 10/10.

[therealjohng]

I'm seeing this this weekend. I cannot wait.

[Asa_Phelps]

Originally posted by CreeperBEATNGU

For me it would hurt the film to find out that it weren't real.




SPOILERS


I feel the complete opposite. To find out that her world was real would (for me) trivialize the gravity of Vidal's actions. I thought the movie worked much better as a little girl's attempt at dealing with the bleakness of the reality she found herself in.

Until del Toro specifically stated there was no other exit in that room, I assumed that she had found a trap door or some other way out. I mean you don't actually see her going through hat door, she just gets the chalk and then Mercedes sees it drawn on the wall. In the labyrinth where she runs into a dead end, it can be assumed that it wasn't a dead end at all. That there was a way to go but it just wasn't very obvious and Vidal in his drugged up state couldn't see it.

It would also explain why Ofelia's mother was the queen in her world. I mean according to the legend it was only Ofelia who was the lost princess.

And the Pale Man could be how Ofelia's subconscious deals with Vidal's cruelty; he's a man who apparently offers a safe heaven (the table full of food) but in reality he's a monster.


It very much reminded me of a short story I read a long time ago called The Little Match Seller (http://www.joblo.com/forums/profile.php?action=showblog&userid=23985#entry493)

[CreeperBEATNGU]

SPOILERS



Lost princess yes, not queen, it would make sense that the mother of the princess would be the queen.


I think it was rather obvious that it was in fact a dead end since every angle was shown to be enclosed, one would need to go around and find another way in; showing that someone else sees the chalk drawing on the wall(not to mention how she even got the chalk and the mandrake if she were imaging Pan), plus the fact the fairy and the flower are clearly visible after she's dead are pretty clear cut in favor of the fantasy realm being real.


The severity of Vidal's actions were precisely the same whether the fantasy elements were real or not, the only difference is that if it wasn't real it indicates no afterlife, if it was real there is one.
The ending is heartbreaking either way, but the world being real makes heartbreaking as well as uplifting.
The actions Vidal in this world are every bit as horrible regardless.

That's why I love the ending, the duality of it. It's not just tragic or just uplifting, it's both.

[JoeChar4321]

Originally posted by CreeperBEATNGU
In the end, Pan’s Labyrinth is an overwhelmingly sad film that will likely divide audiences with its means and its end. This is a film that unshrinkingly presents the harshness and brutality of war (and indeed life itself, as Ofelia’s mother attests) and longs to escape from it. Some will say it seems to do so by regressing into childhood "fantasy". Others, though, will identify the religious elements and come to an entirely different conclusion. It seems to me that it’s more than the culture of Catholicism that Guillermo del Toro remembers from his youth. Perhaps there’s one verse in particular he remembers well: Except ye become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.

....

The severity of Vidal's actions were precisely the same whether the fantasy elements were real or not, the only difference is that if it wasn't real it indicates no afterlife, if it was real there is one.
The ending is heartbreaking either way, but the world being real makes heartbreaking as well as uplifting.
The actions Vidal in this world are every bit as horrible regardless.

That's why I love the ending, the duality of it. It's not just tragic or just uplifting, it's both.


I'm Christian as well but I found this movie to be a bizarre and repulsive disappointment. A tortured child's delusions have no bearing on indications of an afterlife.

Despite the coincidence that her mother's health improved with the root slug in milk under the bed, everything else appears to be nothing more then the wild imagination of a tortured child. (Del Toro's interview stating he believes it's real seems like after the fact backtracking to me. Even so, the film speaks for itself) This cruelty, the brutal deaths, suffering and the fact that the only thing that takes place in the first hour of the film is a giant frog puking himself to death and I don't understand the praise for this film.

Thumbs Down from me.

[bigred760]

Delusions? It's called a fantasy. A lot of us had them as children. That's one of the things I really liked about the movie, we're never sure whether the girl's fantasies are reality or all in her head. The first thing we see in the movie is the story about the princess dying when she gets to the real world. You just never know. Instead, the movie is about escapism, something we all can relate to, just not escaping from the atrocities of fascism.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

Originally posted by JoeChar4321
I'm Christian as well but I found this movie to be a bizarre and repulsive disappointment. A tortured child's delusions have no bearing on indications of an afterlife.

Despite the coincidence that her mother's health improved with the root slug in milk under the bed, everything else appears to be nothing more then the wild imagination of a tortured child. (Del Toro's interview stating he believes it's real seems like after the fact backtracking to me. Even so, the film speaks for itself) This cruelty, the brutal deaths, suffering and the fact that the only thing that takes place in the first hour of the film is a giant frog puking himself to death and I don't understand the praise for this film.

Thumbs Down from me.

SPOILERS



The entire point of the fantasy elements is Ofelia's way of escaping the horrors of the world, the violence had to be extremely brutal.
That's what the film is about, innocence and evil.
That's one hell of a coincidence if you choose to look at it that way, but that's not how Del Toro intended it.

The creatures are all symbolic of something, the toad was symbolic of people that keep taking and taking and taking, getting bigger and bigger as those around them suffer for it.

The decisions she makes are what leads her to the afterlife, instead of the blind faith in doing whatever she was told as Vidal's soldiers did, she followed her heart and actually cared about whether her decisions were right or wrong.

She gave into temptation by eating the forbidden fruit but was forgiven.
She chose to spill her own blood rather than that of another, and ascended into her Kingdom.
Very strong and should be rather obvious symbolism for heaven.

I think what you really don't understand isn't so much the praise for the film as the film itself.

You really don't seem to understand the concept of symbolism and allegory.

The flower growing and the fairy landing next to it happened AFTER Ofelia had passed on, which strongly counters the claim that it was "delusions."
The final epilogue speaks of her leaving signs of her time on earth for those that would look for them, can think of a historical figure that did that?

[Shockwave]

I LOVED this movie.

This is right there with Children of Men, V for Vendetta, The Departed, and The Fountain. Just fucking AWESOME.

Sad and uplifting. Beautiful and ugly.

[JoeChar4321]

Originally posted by CreeperBEATNGU
SPOILERS

She gave into temptation by eating the forbidden fruit but was forgiven.
She chose to spill her own blood rather than that of another, and ascended into her Kingdom.
Very strong and should be rather obvious symbolism for heaven.

I think what you really don't understand isn't so much the praise for the film as the film itself.

You really don't seem to understand the concept of symbolism and allegory.


Despite the condescension in your reply, I'm glad you enjoyed the film. The more I think about it, the more I can see your point of view. My initial reaction may have been a bit harsh. I understood the symbolism right from the start but it's the presentation and the story itself that I initially disliked. If Del Toro really wanted to impart the message you gained from the film why do so in such a veiled context? Still, your argument seems to have won the day. When people ask me what I thought of this film, I won't answer negatively. I'll tell them to see it themselves and make up their own minds. It's certainly worth the look.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

I wasn't so much be condescending, merely addressing that you seem to have missed the point entirely, we can all miss the point of certain films. That doesn't necessarily make someone inferior.

Del Toro made the film the way he did because it's more about realism than fantasy, and it's not a film he intended to appeal solely or primarily to people of faith, that's a message that he wanted to work into a film that appeals to the general audience that shows both the positive and negative sides of faith, and how it can relate to war and thoughtless, blind following of orders.

[Mr. Fred Krueger]

I just got back from seeing this, and I must say I absolutely loved it. Very powerful film. There's really not much else to say. This really is a movie, I feel, that'll take several rewatches just to get all of the symbolism (at least for me).

[CreeperBEATNGU]

That's one of the major things I love about it. Generally speaking, I go for symbolism and allegory more than straightforward storytelling.
Del Toro doesn't simply plant cool images in his films, he plants cool looking images that mean something.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

Here are interviews with some pretty interesting insight from Guillermo Del Toro and Anna Baquero(that kid is so adoreable btw:))...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N_IXBa_D-E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTxuU54KA5c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x0y2v-KcYA

[FilmKing2000]

Pan's Labyrinth (Guillermo Del Toro; 2006)
http://www.post-gazette.com/images4/20070119ho_pan2_450.jpg
Like most classic fairy tales, Pan’s Labyrinth tells a fairly simplistic tale. It has a story that clearly distinguishes the blatant facets of good and evil, magical creatures, a heartless villain, and a heroin that is the embodiment of innocence itself. Along with its dark atmosphere, you would have thought the film was written by the Brothers Grimm themselves. Yet, what makes Pan’s Labyrinth so unique and provocative is its backdrop – war torn Spain, 1944, a time when a country’s pride and innocence has fallen to the hands of villainous fascism. This backdrop not only proves to effect the state of the characters and their personal struggles, but, it also conceives the concept of the heroin’s fantasy adventure and the themes that go along with it. It’s a fairly complex concept for a fairy tale, yet, Pan’s Labyrinth isn’t a story to keep in the nursery. Although the key elements of its backbone are branched off from the classic fairy tales we grew to know and love, the meat of the story lies within its dark, brutal, and powerful themes.

Ofelia spends most of her days day dreaming beneath the pages of her book collection, reading up a storm on everything that is fantasy. Fairies, fauns, monsters, princes, princesses…she knows all about them. And one wouldn’t blame her for always finding a way to escape into the mists of her imagination, as she and her pregnant mother are living in a chaotically fascist Spain. Yet, things for Ofelia and her mother are put to extreme tension once they move into the sinister Captain Vidal’s farm, which is currently occupied by his ruthless army whose firearms aim towards the freedom-fighting band of guerillas. We feel Ofelia’s insecurity towards her and her mother’s connection to Captain Vidal, a man who obviously cares for his male offspring and nothing more. As her doubts and worries grow, so does that of the supposedly magical labyrinth in the barn’s backyard, where a mysterious faun, Pan, awaits Ofelia to carry on her royal reign as a mystical princess.

Yet, Pan’s Labyrinth isn’t a pure fairy tale. In fact, it’s only half fairy tale. Most of the meat of the story lies within the concept of war and the brutality of man. Captain Vidal is a mere embodiment of evil in its purest form and whose brutality rivals that of Amon Goeth from Schindler’s List. He represents all that is lust and power and signifies the evil that consumed the war with an iron fist. But, as the tagline reads, “Innocence has a power evil cannot imagine”, the side of good (the freedom fighting guerillas) carry a bond only present within a blood bonded family. The war not only conceives the idea of trauma and the loss of innocence, but also signifies the everlasting battle between good and evil. Does the brutality of man effect the weak? Does it destroy their esteem and innocence? Maybe. But does it stop them from fighting? Of course not. Although the concept of “good always prevails over evil” may seem a bit cliché, one must accept the fact that the film tries to, in fact, indulge in the clichés of all classic fantasies. Because in terms of its structure of storytelling, Pan’s Labyrinth is a classic fable. In terms of thematic elements, it’s just as thought mature and powerful as any adult would like it to be. If we take the time to analyze most fairy tales, we may come to realize that they are all mostly rooted from the same sort of biblical symbolism. There’s the lustful, power hungry villain and the altruistic heroin whose willing, and does, undergo valiant tasks of compassionate sacrificial nature. And what we may also notice is how all fairy tales prove to actually be nothing more than studies of the themes that prove to be most essential to human nature (love, compassion, hatred, vengeance, greed, etc.)

Some of us will remember 2006 as the year of the three Mexican amigos – Alfonso Cuaron, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarittu, and Guillermo Del Toro, each of whom conceived a masterwork of their own in 2006 (Children of Men, Babel, and Pan’s Labyrinth, respectively). Although all three films are very different, the directors themselves stated that all three do in fact deal with children. Children of Men focused on the loss of children, and what happens when all of their nurture, warmth, and innocence is lost only to leave a world of grim and chaotic dystopia. Babel, although given off in a very subtle and trivial manner, displayed how all over the world, we, even as adults, find ourselves in the constant, childlike need of communication and the warmth and love of other human beings, exploring the fact that although we may speak different languages, practice different religions, and come from vitally different cultures, we all share the universal desire for human connection. It’s somewhat difficult, yet, ultimately obvious where Pan’s Labyrinth is placed. On one hand, it’s a story about the fall of a child’s innocence within the traumatic mists of war, but, on the other hand, it’s a celebration of youth and the vivid imagination we all use to share, working as a trivial, nostalgic trip back into the childhood void of imagination.

On a technical level, the film is absolute achievement. The cinematography fantastically arises great and diverse visual flair. From the grandeur capturing of the Spanish countryside, to the gritty filters of the treacherous battle scenes, the film vividly captures the aesthetic, and grim, essence of the story. Yet, where Del Toro truly unleashes his full capabilities as a visionary is in some of the film’s final scenes, where he engulfs in his imagination with a grandiose vibrancy of colors, spectacular aesthetic, and uncanny visual magic that one can only see from the director’s own imagination.

The screenplay is equally grand and prosperous in imagination. It is clearly evident how Del Toro took his time with each and every single detail of his fantasy epic, adding various nuances not only to the magical creatures, but also to the human characters and their own personal struggles. Each character is fleshed out and given a fair amount of screen time, allowing us to know them, feel for them, and be absorbed by their own personal struggles by the time the film reaches its emotional payoff in the third act. Which leads to another leading asset: the acting. Each member of the cast, with the exception of Sergi Lopez and his role as Captain Vidal, handles their role with great delicacy and emotionally fragile power. Ivana Baquero carries the film with tremendously as Ofelia, producing one of the best child performances to have ever graced the silver screen. Baquero perfectly handles her character’s emotional, and sometimes physical distress with great ease. She carries the quintessential child role with the quintessential child performance, fueled with uncanny honesty.

In all, Pan’s Labyrinth is a subtle, grandiose, and nostalgic journey into the void of childhood imagination, while proving to be provocative in deeply mature and adult themes at the same time. Del Toro has without a doubt created his most deeply personal and delicate masterpiece.

RATING: 9/10

[Monotreme]

I posted this in the "what films did you watch today" thread but figured that I should post it again here, as other fans of the film may be interested in it and this is the best place to post this information, more accessible than that thread.

One thing that became fascinatingly apparent to me in retrospect about the film is del Toro's striking use of symbolism. If you think about it, pretty much everything in the film can actually be paralleled to some broader meaning. For example, the rotting fig tree as a symbol for Spain, and the evil toad monster as some form of government or something that symbolizes greed and soaking all the life out of the tree (Spain) for its own benefit. Pan can also be seen as some sort of off-throw of the fig tree, as the sound effects of him walking and moving around are those of old, creaking trees. It is also interesting to note that the objects in Ofelia's tasks - the key, the knife - all later appear, in different form, in the real life scenes (the key to get into the store room, the knife to... well, that gruesome scene that I don't want to ruin for anyone who hasn't seen the film. Indeed I'm sure there are a lot more deeper meenings and allegories and symbols that I haven't fully thought out till the end, but the film is absolutely loaded with this stuff.

Or take the Pale man: In order to see the feast he has to hold his hands up to his head, but in order to eat he'd have to use his hands so he wouldn't be able to see the food he's eating. The positioning of his eyes on his hands is reminiscent of the stigmata occurance, so perhaps the Pale Man is some sort of symbol for religion, with the eyes symbolising exposure to the divine truth but his inability to eat unless he lowers his eyes being some sort of parallel to the enjoyment of life that religion (Pale Man) denies. Interesting, all that just sort of came to me now, but the point is that there are so many symbols and allegories like these to be found in the film.

[someguy]

Del Toro said that the Pale Man can be seen as a symbol of the Catholic Church for some reason

I've been seeing complaints about how Ofelia ate from the table and how it was a dumb move, but it was pretty justified. If I remember it right, she didn't eat for around a day beforehand so it's no wonder why she would have something from the table.

[Shockwave]

One thing i really have to add also, from this to Hellboy, i love how Del Toro will blend cgi, puppets, and make-up in his monsters depending on what the scene calls for.:cool:

[CreeperBEATNGU]

Originally posted by someguy
Del Toro said that the Pale Man can be seen as a symbol of the Catholic Church for some reason.

There was an interview posted about his intentions with Pale Man I believe on the previous page.

[ncc1701]

I finally got to see this film this past Sunday (to a fairly packed house) and was blown away. To me I found this movie visually stunning with and equally disturbing. I took me til Monday afternoon to really digest what I had just seen. This just wasn't a happy movie, and I am okay with that. As I was walking out of the theater, I heard some grumbling and complaining, much as I did when I saw Apocolypto. Pan & The Pale Man were as disturbing (if not more) than The Darkness from Legend. I also enjoyed the fact that there was no clear delineation between the fantasy and reality. You walked out no really knowing what happened ... but that it wasn't good.

[Jessica3000]

So I have four theaters in my area..three of which are big theaters and none of which have Pan's Labyrinth. It's really starting to make me mad.

[ilovemovies]

I'm going to have to see this movie again as I was really tired and that probably effected my opinion of the first half of the movie. I will say that the second half of the movie is outstanding. Some really great stuff. But overall I'd only give the movie, for now atleast, a 7/10. But a second viewing may go up. I'm not sure.

[Ender]

I notice that ever since this movie was released in the US all of del Torro's other movies, particularly his early ones, have had a greatily increased wait time in my Netflix queue.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

Originally posted by Ender
I notice that ever since this movie was released in the US all of del Torro's other movies, particularly his early ones, have had a greatily increased wait time in my Netflix queue.

Which is why I'm so glad that I own all of his other movies.:)

Each film he's done is very good to great, even Mimic despite all the studio tampering.

Del Toro is in my top three greatest filmmakers now.

[tbone]

Easily one of my favorite movies of the year -- if only it came out on DVD today. del Torro does a terrific job of weaving fantasy with reality and creating danger in each situation. This fairy tale like others created children contain great danger, yet this world still gives Ofilia a release and an escape from the dangers and troubles that she must deal with even if she sees no such distinction. I would even like to follow the baby boy -- do the sins of his father visit him? The ending while sad was also uplifting in a strange sort of way -- Ofilia's resistance to the Faun reflects her stand against the Captain. Ofilia's second task is also reflected in reality, with the Pale Man representing Captain. Much as the Pale Man had to feel his way around and was "blind", the Captain was blind in that he followed orders without question -- he gave orders expecting blind obedience himself. I could go on and on about this movie - but simply this is the beautiful tale of a young girl struggling to make sense in a chaotic world (both within her family but also in the world at large.)

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Finally got to see it. 9/10. Loved it. Del Toro may quite possibly be my favorite director.

[Vector]

It was a nice film. Poignant and moving, a bit too slow for my liking, but still good. I'd give it a B.

[GingerNjack]

It was a little slow, and it was less fantasy than I wanted...but still loved it.

[Shockwave]

One things for sure, this has got me pumped to see what Del Toros got in store for us with Hellboy 2. I really think that it might thump even PAN and be a far better and deeper movie then the first one.

[therealjohng]

8/10.



Liked it a lot.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

Originally posted by Shockwave
One things for sure, this has got me pumped to see what Del Toros got in store for us with Hellboy 2. I really think that it might thump even PAN and be a far better and deeper movie then the first one.

If HB 2 is successful, he wants HB 3 to pit Hellboy against the Universal Monsters.

[Shockwave]

I know.


..and im drooling at the thought of him getting ahold of so many classic monsters. It would be the greatest movie OF ALL TIME.:)

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by Shockwave
I know.


..and im drooling at the thought of him getting ahold of so many classic monsters. It would be the greatest movie OF ALL TIME.:)
As much as I love that idea... It seems to me that it might be hard for him to top Hellboy fighting a fuckin' giant dragon like in the script for Hellboy 2. However, I'm all up for him trying. Hopefully the Universal Monsters get revamped to something along the lines of McFarlane's Monsters.

[Shockwave]

I agree about it being hard to top what he has in store with Hellboy 2, but thats what has me so excited.


Hes become one of my favorite directors working today with his sense of flair and ability to inject so much humanity into his fantasy stories.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

He has his work cut out for him ever topping Pan's Labyrinth.

[tbone]

Yeah, I don't really see Hellboy 2 topping Pan's -- not that Hellboy was a bad movie, but Pan's Labyrinth was such a terrific film.

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by CreeperBEATNGU
He has his work cut out for him ever topping Pan's Labyrinth.

It's safe to say it's his masterpiece.

[ScaryFreak1827]

Just got back from seeing it (really pleased it's now playing in more theaters) and, as I expected, loved every minute of it. A very very good, visually brilliant film that completely pulls you in for the entire 1 hour 50 minute length. Highly recommended. 10/10

[Shockwave]

Would anyone be that broken up if this won the Oscar for best picture?

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by Shockwave
Would anyone be that broken up if this won the Oscar for best picture?
I'd buy four cases of Smirnoff and let everyone in the neighborhood go to town if it happened.:cool:

[Fisting Ackbar]

Originally posted by therealjohng
It's safe to say it's his masterpiece.

Yet wouldn't it be awesome if Del Toro was able to top this great film?

I'm not familiar with H.P. Lovecraft's At the Mountain of Madness, but that's next on the man's list.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

The only problem with At the Mountains of Madness is that some who haven't read the original story may deem it a "rip-off" of The Thing. However, I'm looking forward to the first great Lovecraft adaptation.
And I believe while this may be his high-water mark critically and as far as awards go, he will still top this film. I mean, that's pretty much how it's been going his entire career.

[Asa_Phelps]

Just read a synopsis of this novella. I’ve seen The Thing a long time ago and it does sound similar. But then again so does that Ice episode of X-Files. There are plenty of storylines based on an expedition team going to a remote location in the arctic circle and being trapped there with a weird creature on the loose.

Seeing what Del Toro did with Pan’s, I think his adaptation of this story would be so uniquely stylized that there is no way people would confuse it with The Thing.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Yeah, but there are always that one group of people that go "look, it's a rip-off!", when in fact the Lovecraft story is a bit older than the story that inspired both versions of The Thing (Who Goes There?)
Still, I am really excited for it, but right now, Hellboy 2 is all I see on the horizon.

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by Fisting Ackbar
Yet wouldn't it be awesome if Del Toro was able to top this great film?

I'm not familiar with H.P. Lovecraft's At the Mountain of Madness, but that's next on the man's list.


1. Yes it would be great if he could top. It would just show even more what a brilliant filmmaker he is.

2. I thought he was doing Hellboy 2 next?

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by Shockwave
Would anyone be that broken up if this won the Oscar for best picture?


Nope. It truly deserves to be mentioned next to the other films nominated. Such a gem. Really glad people are going to this. It's making some good money here in the states. Back to the Oscars, one has to wonder how close this was to a Best Director or a Best Picture nomination. This got some great love from the tech categories, it couldn't be that far off from one of those. I seriously think this has a good chance of taking home some techs on the 25th.

[Shockwave]

Im really hoping it and CHILDREN OF MEN get some love at the Oscars.

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by Shockwave
Im really hoping it and CHILDREN OF MEN get some love at the Oscars.


Yep.

Children of Men will take cinematography. It would be great if it took film editing, but I doubt it. It has no chance at adapted screenplay.

Pan's Labyrinth will take Foreign Film (hopefully). Otherwise I think it has a decent shot in it's other categories. Hopefully it doesn't take CoM's well deserved cinematography trophy.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by therealjohng
I thought he was doing Hellboy 2 next?
Hellboy 2 is next. It's in pre-production, with filming beginning sometime in the coming months. At the Mountains of Madness is supposedly his next project after that, although he's been trying to get it off the ground for awhile.

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by Tyler_Durden_208
Hellboy 2 is next. It's in pre-production, with filming beginning sometime in the coming months. At the Mountains of Madness is supposedly his next project after that, although he's been trying to get it off the ground for awhile.


Awesome. I'm so addicted to whatever this guy is doing. He has quite the imagination and he puts his ideas to good use on screen.

[Fisting Ackbar]

Originally posted by therealjohng
I seriously think this has a good chance of taking home some techs on the 25th.

Best Make-up should be a shoe-in.

Yeah, I now see you guys are right about HELLBOY 2 being next. But IMDb has a project named 3993 listed, with the plot outline being:

A ghost story about 'the hostages left to fortune by the past' set in 1990's Spain and with connections with Spanish Civil War in 1939.

[therealjohng]

Isn't doing some kind of unofficial trilogy surrounding the Spanish Civil War?


Devil's Backbone
Pan's Labyrinth
3993

[FatSakHead]

Originally posted by therealjohng
Awesome. I'm so addicted to whatever this guy is doing. He has quite the imagination and he puts his ideas to good use on screen.

I think Pan's Labrynth was just a fluke. Hellboy and Blade 2 were painfully mediocre. God what a horrible film that was.

[someguy]

Go see The Devil's Backbone, it's not a fluke.

[Psychocandy]

Originally posted by FatSakHead
I think Pan's Labrynth was just a fluke. Hellboy and Blade 2 were painfully mediocre. God what a horrible film that was.

Not in my opinion they weren't. I thought that Pan's Labyrinth was the best movie he's done so far. But I loved Hellboy and Blade 2. And as Someguy said...The Devil's Backbone is well worth tracking down. As is Cronos.

[Shockwave]

So far every movies hes done has ranged from great to good for me. Pans is his best work yet however.

Really, hes probably one of my favorite directors right now. Hes imaginitve as hell as well as knows how to build great characters.

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by Psychocandy
Not in my opinion they weren't. I thought that Pan's Labyrinth was the best movie he's done so far. But I loved Hellboy and Blade 2. And as Someguy said...The Devil's Backbone is well worth tracking down. As is Cronos.
Ditto.
Every film he's made (save Cronos, which I haven't seen, and Mimic, which is just a good thriller and not much more), is in my top 100.

[adamjohnson]

Too much war; not even Labyrinth methinks.

Still 8/10, but I still wanted more creatures and what not.

[FatSakHead]

Originally posted by Psychocandy
Not in my opinion they weren't. I thought that Pan's Labyrinth was the best movie he's done so far. But I loved Hellboy and Blade 2. And as Someguy said...The Devil's Backbone is well worth tracking down. As is Cronos.

Actually, what I had meant was that Pan's Labyrinth was good by accident, and Blade 2 was mediocre while Hellboy was just terrible.

[adamjohnson]

I thought Hellboy was quite good. Much better than it SHOULD have been.

[gyro_44]

Hellboy was really quite good. For a comic book movie, t had a light touch and lots of humor as well as successful darker elements. And Ron Perlman rocks. Del Toro has such a vivid imagination and he pours his creativity into his work, even if it's more of a B movie by nature. Just look at how COOL the creatures are in Del Toro's films, even Blade 2, where the Reapers were so grotesque they stole the movie.

I actually just saw Pan's Labyrinth today and I liked it very much. Another dark, rich, amazingly weird and beautiful part of Del Toro's imagination brought to life. Superb performances. I would give it an 8/10.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

Originally posted by adamjohnson
Too much war; not even Labyrinth methinks.

Still 8/10, but I still wanted more creatures and what not.

That was really the idea, it was never about the Labyrinth, that was an emblishment to tell a story about real life.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

Originally posted by FatSakHead
Actually, what I had meant was that Pan's Labyrinth was good by accident, and Blade 2 was mediocre while Hellboy was just terrible.

Terribly entertaining.:)

[FatSakHead]

Originally posted by CreeperBEATNGU
Terribly entertaining.:)

Quite the opposite. Hellboy was as dull and lifeless as Barbara Streissand. Del Toro really is a hack.

[Shockwave]

Im glad hell continue to hack away for years to come with HELLBOY 2, THE MOUNTAINS OF MADDNESS, and who knows what else on the way.

:cool:

[someguy]

Originally posted by FatSakHead
Quite the opposite. Hellboy was as dull and lifeless as Barbara Streissand. Del Toro really is a hack.

Get out of the thread until you've seen The Devil's Backbone.

[bigred760]

Originally posted by FatSakHead
Quite the opposite. Hellboy was as dull and lifeless as Barbara Streissand. Del Toro really is a hack.

I'm afraid you're in the minority - about del Toro, not Barbara Streisand (in these forums anyway :D). And since it looks like del Toro will be walking away with an Oscar in two weeks, it'll prove even more how in the minority you are.

[gyro_44]

Originally posted by FatSakHead
Quite the opposite. Hellboy was as dull and lifeless as Barbara Streissand. Del Toro really is a hack.
Don't really think you could be more wrong with that statement.

[mutesaint]

Did anyone else see that image joblo posted as the dvd cover and nearly shit themselves with how great it would look, then notice that it was just some artwork he put up instead?

[gyro_44]

Originally posted by mutesaint
Did anyone else see that image joblo posted as the dvd cover and nearly shit themselves with how great it would look, then notice that it was just some artwork he put up instead?
*raises hand*

That would have been some seriously kickass cover art.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

Originally posted by FatSakHead
Quite the opposite. Hellboy was as dull and lifeless as Barbara Streissand. Del Toro really is a hack.

Yes...in Bizzaro World.:)

[MidnightAngel]

I saw it today and it was really great! Guillermo del Toro's best movie ever!

[criddic2]

Originally posted by Mr.HyDe807
HEY! Enough with the limited releases! I wanna see this right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, its just that i live in long island, New york and i still havent had the pleasure of seeing this movie

The first theatre on the island to get this, as far as I know, was the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington. For future reference, if you don't live far away from there (I had to take two buses), that is the place to start with for smaller independent/foreign films.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

This film is down around 900 screens now, chances are if you haven't gotten to see it yet, you'll need to wait for DVD.

[Bourne101]

Finally came to my theatre and I got to see it today! Movies are so much better in the comfort of your hometown theatre.

[Double Down]

I really didn't know a whole lot about this movie prior to seeing it so I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it The film felt so different from anything I've seen as of late that it was an awesome escape, it was like the two hours went by in the blink of an eye.

[Bourne101]

Something I realized after seeing this again yesterday is that I didn't even remember reading the subtitles. I obviously read them, but you really don't notice them after a little bit.

[CreeperBEATNGU]

U.S. dvd info...

http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/pans-labyrinth3.html

[ScaryFreak1827]

Originally posted by CreeperBEATNGU
U.S. dvd info...

http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/pans-labyrinth3.html

Awesome but I prefer the 1-disc cover to the 2-disc:( But of course I have to buy the 2-disc

[CreeperBEATNGU]

I like Pan and Ofelia better than the Tree and Ofelia.