Pan's Labyrinth
Innocence has a power evil cannot imagine.
Spain, 1944. Officially, the Civil War has been over for five years, but a small group of rebels fights on unbroken in the northern mountains of Navarra. Dreamy 10-year-old Ofelia moves to Navarra with her delicate, pregnant mother Carmen, to become acquainted with her new stepfather, Captain Vidal, a Fascist officer under orders to rid the territory of rebels. Ofelia, who is fascinated by fairy tales, discovers an overgrown, tumbledown labyrinth behind the mill. In the heart of the labyrinth she meets Pan, an ancient satyr who claims to know her true identity and her secret destiny. But first, she must complete three tasks before the moon grows full. And no one must know: not her ailing mother, or her new friend, Mercedes. Time is running out, for Ofelia and for the rebels. Both will have to battle hardship and cruelty in order to gain their freedom. But, who can be trusted in a time of lies and danger? Is Pan telling the truth...? And if not, who is?
Member Reviews
Frightening, Dark and Gravitating for your curiosity - movie_goer
A Grimfelt tale with an edgier, adult appeal that will become a favorite to anyone who likes a good foriegn film.
Their is nothing sweeter and rewarding to see than a film thats thought provoking and raises an eyebrow, than wins at American Award shows *what for it...* and isn't a product of Hollyweird. Hurray, talent lives in every corner of the world. Spain is no exception. Pan's Labryinth is awe-inpsiring, with a great storyline and yet you're youth becomes you... as fear and evil itself has you shaken and visible worried.Excellent, but not for kids. - RDSmith
Hollywood is so intellectually challenged and spews so much vacuous and/or offensive trash, that I cannot help but being caught off-guard in the rare instances in which careful thought and intelligence have been used to craft a masterpiece. Pan's Labyrinth is one of those rare treats. Steeped in pagan and mythic lore and symbols, this film is a visual and intellectual treat. How the producer went from making Hellboy (hollow pop-culture fluff) to this gem is difficult to understand.
The tale spun in this movie is very dark -- not exactly the feel good hit of the year (or one for children) -- but it sets an appropriately disturbing mood considering the subject matter. Many of the pagan and ancient myths which inspired this film are indeed very dark and potentially frightening in nature if taken seriously, and that is exactly what this film attempts and succeeds in doing. The script includes a clever inversion of the Greek Persephone myth, which should be apparent to students of mythology (all of whom should watch this film). The only negative in the film is the occasional unnecessary use of excessive brutality and gore. Other than that film is brilliant, for those that do not mind reading sub-titles (which actually enhances the authenticity of the film's subject matter). Well done.Minor Caveat to Relentlessly Grim Tale - Stitch
This story of soldiers in Falangist Spain in a remote area attempting to eliminate remaining Communist resistance is admittedly a very imaginative work of art. Fantasy and reality are seamlessly merged to be believable. The set design and photography from the beginning introduce an impending sense of tragedy. You know this will not be a romp in the meadows.
Adding to this mood is the somber interpretation of all the major roles, leaving aside the brutality for a moment. There is not a weak performance in the lot. Mercedes and Vidal are superb in personalizing the conflict between heroic resistance and brutal subjugation. But my very special admiration goes to Ivana Baquero as Ofelia and to del Toro’s direction. What an interesting and appropriate blend of childhood innocence and imagination with a streak of self-centered recklessness. The girl-woman. Together with the suspected duality of Pan’s intentions, it added complexity to what could have been a pretty simplistic good vs evil fable.
As to the brutality and the captain, it’s difficult to recall a less sympathetic movie character. Yet del Toro imbues him with sufficient traits—courage under fire, stoicism, hope and appreciation for a son—that deny our dismissing him. Excellent adult interpretation of a somewhat complex character. To some extent we expected even more brutality in his personal relationships. And watch for the evocative scene of he and Ofelia seated outside the birthing room...
A minor caveat...this is not an even-handed treatment of the politics ushering in Franco's Spain. Hemingway’s alleged glorious revolution was instead a bloodbath for power, Fascism versus Communism, and there were few shining examples of selflessness for the greater good. A possible exception were the impressionable young people from around the world who were sucked in--and died.
But granted, this is a story, not history. And like history, definitely not for children.
Member Reviews
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Frightening, Dark and Gravitating for your curiosity - movie_goer
A Grimfelt tale with an edgier, adult appeal that will become a favorite to anyone who likes a good foriegn film.
Their is nothing sweeter and rewarding to see than a film thats thought provoking and raises an eyebrow, than wins at American Award shows ...Excellent, but not for kids. - RDSmith
Hollywood is so intellectually challenged and spews so much vacuous and/or offensive trash, that I cannot help but being caught off-guard in the rare instances in which careful thought and intelligence have been used to craft a masterpiece. Pan's Labyrinth ...Minor Caveat to Relentlessly Grim Tale - Stitch
This story of soldiers in Falangist Spain in a remote area attempting to eliminate remaining Communist resistance is admittedly a very imaginative work of art. Fantasy and reality are seamlessly merged to be believable. The set design and photography from ...