Review of Pan's Labyrinth (2006) by Danny R — 06 Oct 2015

Guillermo del Toro's magnificently haunting dark fantasy plays out against the backdrop of 1944 in post-Civil War in Spain, rebels still fight in the mountains against the monstrous fascist Captain Vidal, chillingly played by Sergi Lopez, and his murderous troops.

The young and imaginative Ofelia, played impressively by Ivana Baquero travels with her pregnant sick mother Carmen Vidal to the country to meet and live with her stepfather, who is the sadistic Captain Vidal in an old mill.

During the night Ofelia meets a fairy and together they go to a pit in the center of a maze where they meet a mythical faun named Pan, wonderfully played by Doug Jones, who tells her that she is a princess from a kingdom in the underground, he also tells that her father is waiting for her, but she needs to accomplish three gruesome tough and dangerous assignments first.

Meanwhile she becomes friend of the servant Mercedes, who is the sister of one of the rebels and actually is giving support to the group. In a dark harsh violent world Ofelia lives in her magical world trying to survive her tasks and see her father and king again.

Ofelia escapes the brutality and horrors of her new environment by drifting into this fantasy world where she sets out complete the challenging tasks given to her by Pan, to reclaim her kingdom and be finally free.

Flawlessly directed by Guillermo del Toro, with extraordinary cinematography by Guillermo Navarro, and a striking makeup design by David Marti & Montse Riibe. This is a rare film that is superbly realized, thanks to write-director del Turo's artistic vision and meticulous talent.

One of the finest fantasy motion pictures ever filmed. Winner of 4 Academy Awards for Best Cinematography: Gullermo Navarro, Best Makeup: David Marti & Montse Ribe, Best Art Direction: Eugenio Caballero & Pilar Reveulta.

In Original Spanish with English subtitles. Highly Recommended.