Sheer Pantasy (Movie Only) (Pan's Labyrinth (2 DVDs))

Member Name: marandina

Product:	Pan's Labyrinth (2 DVDs)
Date:	24/12/07 (124 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Outstanding movie

Disadvantages: Too dark for younger children

Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), is a young girl with a vivid imagination. Traveling with her pregnant mother Carmen (Ariadna Gil), they arrive at her step-father's posting with the Spanish Civil War raging around them. With her mother due to give birth soon and her Fascist step father, Captain Vidal (Sergi López i Ayats) engaged in the ruthless pursuit of the rebels hiding in the hills, Ofelia retreats into a fantasy world that brings with it three challenges that mirror her life. Discovering a labyrinth close by, the young girl meets a faun (Doug Jones) who gives her the Book of Crossroads with the caveat that three tasks must be complete by the next full moon. Upon completion, she will become the mythical Princess Moanna once more, restoring her to immortality amongst the spirits of the Underworld. As Ofelia's attempts become more desperate and daring, events around her spiral downwards into a sea of suffering and despair.

Written and directed by Mexican film-maker Guillermo del Toro, produced and distributed by the Mexican film company Esperanto Films, "Pan's Labyrinth" is a non-English movie with sub-titles. Set in Spain in 1944, del Toro recreates a twilight world of fantasy that becomes an allegory for the harsh events that go on around it. With it being a foreign film, few of the cast are likely to be well known to much of the audience but that doesn't stop a number of the key players from turning in top performances. Sergi Lopez Avats is almost demonic as the cold, ruthless Fascist captain, always immaculately dressed, he shows little emotion other than a steely passion to have a son. He revels in the horror that goes with suppressing the enemy and his methods employed in dealing with two locals caught in the earlier scenes and the subsequent torture he uses to gain information from a captured rebel is spine chillingly, merciless. Mercedes (Maribel Verdú), is the housekeeper who keeps the key to the stores, the central focus of the rebels' desire and her anguish at tending to the captain is neatly traced, the guilt building within her as her relationship with the freedom fighters becomes more apparent.

Ivana Nabquero is a delight in the lead role as the young girl, Ofelia. Faced with a constant, brooding violence in her new setting, she picks her way between fantasy and reality with astonishing ease. Interacting with the fairy-like creatures of the Underworld, the scenes with the faun are both spellbinding and magical with the sets beautifully conceived and could almost be an updated version of a Lewis Carroll reverie. Ofelia is the conduit for the principal plot, linking the fable from the opening credits with the finale at the close with metaphors crashing all around. The weaving of the alternate plot strands is seamless with a degree of ambiguity at the closing credits that leaves the audience not sure whether to be happy or sad. Álex Angulo as Dr. Ferreiro crops up in many of the key scenes and provides the visual clues linking the traitors in the camp with the hideaways in the woods. Faced with the dilemma of assisting the occupiers and treating the rebels, Ferreiro is in a similar position to Mercedes and straddles that fine line with a quiet, yet ultimately tragic dignity.

Both the sets and the conception of the magical creatures is stunning. Using elaborate make-up, puppetry and CGI, the faun looks amazingly authentic as do the stick-insects that become faeries and the chase scene during the second challenge where a faceless monster employs eyes on either hands is truly remarkable. I guess you could be picky and observe that the mandrake plant that goes underneath the pregnant woman's bed to make her better seems a little derivative of the Harry Potter movies but then when you actually stop and think as to how much J K Rowling's work has been influenced by literature from down the ages then putting it in those terms, it's the merest of foibles. It's the conception and delivery of the make believe element that sets the film apart from other fantasy fables and is so visually stunning and Guillermo Navarro's cinematography deservedly won an Oscar. The movie's musical score was composed by Javier Navarrete and was nominated for an Academy Award. Apparently structured around a lullaby, Naverrete's work moves through the fluctuating moods created in the film, adding to the aural effect that goes with the visual delights on screen.

Del Toro's movie went on to win 3 Academy Awards and numerous other gongs and with a run time of 119 minutes and a 15 rating, "Pan's Labyrinth" is a dark, fantasy tale with graphic violence that will appeal to adults and older children. I watched the movie transfixed, completely immersed in the story and the unfolding fable that surrounded the gripping events of the lingering aftermath of the main body of the Spanish Civil War. The director has made a truly stunning film that must rate as the best release of 2006 (general release in January 2007). Watching a film like "Pan's Labyrinth" for just short of two hours is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours and I can't recommend the movie highly enough.

Outstanding.

Thanks for reading.

Mara.

DVD available at Amazon from £5.98

Summary: Overview of movie