Review of Pan's Labyrinth (2006) by Jim S — 02 Oct 2015

"Pan's Labyrinth" represents modern film making in its highest artistic form.

Basically it's two films in one...at once a marvelous, magical fantasy adventure and at the same time a brutal tale of war and resistance.

Set in Spain during the 2nd world war, the story revolves around Ofelia, a beautiful young child who moves with her pregnant mother to the camp of her new stepfather, a brutal, Nazi-like captain of Franco's army.

Ofelia's mother is suffering through a difficult pregnancy which makes her gravely ill and the Captain is an evil, vile and violent man who strikes fear in those around him.

Ofelia loves to read fairy tales and, in order to escape the anguish, pain and horror around her, she creates a fantasy world in her mind. A world of Fauns, Faeries and Monsters filled with immense beauty and shrouded darkness.

This isn't your typical family fairy tale and it's not for the young, young at heart or weak of stomach. Ofelia's story is a dark tale of fantasy and horror populated with wild creatures of the imagination. An exquisite blend of terror and magnificence it's a true Beauty and the Beast story (along with bits of Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella), as Ofelia wanders her way through the ancient ruins that surround the encampment of her evil stepfather.

The violence and brutality of Franco's war regime is portrayed in bloody scenes of torture and murder which both contrast and compliment the world of fantasy that Ofelia creates.

This movie was nominated for six Oscars and won 3 and deservedly so as it's cinematography, design and execution is first rate. Beautifully directed my Guillermo del Toro of Mexico ("Hell Boy"), this film also has a haunting score by Spanish composer Javier Navarrete.