Review of The Shape of Water (2017) by Jluis_001 — 11 Jan 2018

Guillermo del Toro takes the reins of the story of Beauty and The Beast and exposes it in film with every part of his style.

In general terms, I certainly think that the film could have been better in terms of story because I think it wasn't really strong enough. The development of the characters is kinda poor because soon you realize that the only character that matters is Sally Hawkins character: Elisa Esposito but I've gotta say, she does a magnificent job as a mute janitor, who without words manages to be enormously expressive.

When I say the story wasn't strong enough I say it because the way in which it unfolds is very fortuitous, there is no background for the characters and the relationship that Elisa and the creature develop is too fast for my taste, especially considering the deep love that Elisa develops for him.

Michael Shannon is a one-dimensional villain and I'm surprised that Del Toro wasted him in that way.

Putting that aside, The Shape of Water is a very well done film, with an impeccable production that bears all the signature of Del Toro. The music is exceptional, one of the best scores of Alexandre Desplat and in general the film is very enjoyable, it is two hours of good entertainment, quality entertainment and yes it's honestly the best film of del Toro since Pan's Labyrinth. No doubt the magic is still there, but I think a little shake in terms of narrative would not hurt him, I feel that Guillermo can evolve and create much more complex stories and I think it's necessary for him to do so because he may fall into a creative hole and the worst thing that could happen to him is to be repetitive.