Review of Pan's Labyrinth (2006) by James%20 M — 22 Mar 2018

If there's one person who made me fall in love with fantasy and creatures, it's Guillermo del Toro. As much as I remember in my childhood life, I was completely fascinated by the trailer when I first saw it. Unfortunately, my mother wouldn't allow me to watch it, due to its graphic images. The good news, however, was that I got the chance to see "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" after "Pan's Labyrinth" was made, and I became so impressed with it when it first came out. As a teenager, every time I look at del Toro's creatures or his design, it does make me want to pick up my sketch book and start drawing my own creatures. By the time I was old enough, I finally got the chance to watch "Pan's Labyrinth", and for what I can say is that it's about as rich and beautiful as I'd expect when I was young at the time.

Set in Spain, 1944, Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) and her pregnant mother (Ariadna Gil) are going to live with her sadistic stepfather, Captain Vidal (Sergi Lopez). Around nighttime, Ofelia encounters a fairy who guides her through the labyrinth, and this is where she meets the Faun (Doug Jones). He tells her that she is the reincarnation of a princess from the Underworld. In order for her to become immortal, Ofelia must complete three tasks before the full moon rises.

It has been said to many critics and people that "Pan's Labyrinth" is "Alice in Wonderland" for grown-ups. But unlike "Alice in Wonderland," we never see the protagonist traveling through the fantasy world throughout the film. Instead, we just see her going back and forth to the real world and the fantasy world. While Ofelia is given to complete three tasks by the Faun, the film also focuses on a small group of soldiers, led by Pedro (Roger Casamajor), as they're fighting against Captain Vital and his army. Much like del Toro's previous film, "The Devil's Backbone," it does share the similarities on its themes and characters, but what makes this better is that the details to its narrative are more beautifully done, and his creatures are both unique and marvelous to look at, especially the Pale Man, (who's also played by Doug Jones).

The performances are exceptional. Newcomer Ivana Baquero embodies Ofelia as an innocent girl who's doing something that may change her life forever, and she does it wonderfully good. Even though I've heard Sergi Lopez has been playing comedic roles before he was playing the villain in this picture, his portrayal as Captain Vidal has left me unsettled. Vidal is about as evil and vicious as Robert Mitchum in "The Night of the Hunter." He treats Ofelia like a brat who gets in his way, and has no love for Ofelia's mother. All he ever wants from her is her baby boy, which he happens to be the father of him. Another performance that should never be forgotten is Maribel Verdu, (better known from "Y Tu Mama Tambien"), as Mercedes, one of the housekeeper who's secretly helping his brother, Pedro, and his small army. The scenes between her and Ofelia are absolutely effective to watch. Doug Jones, (who has worked with del Toro before), is very memorable by playing two separates characters as the Faun and the Pale Man.

Even though it took home three Oscars, it's a real shame that it never got nominated for Best Picture. Luckily, another favorite film of mine that was made in the same year as this one, "The Departed," has took home four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. This is a wonderful fantasy film that manages to be distinguish and refreshing from start to finish. The imagination of "Pan's Labyrinth," a dark fairy tale that goes back and forth between reality and fantasy, is something to behold. 10/10.