Ofelias Wonderwall (Pan's Labyrinth (2 DVDs))

Member Name: villager90

Product:	Pan's Labyrinth (2 DVDs)
Date:	23/02/08 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Music, Original Story and emotions portrayed

Disadvantages: none really, just the unrealistic actions in the 2nd task

Mark Kermode, in The Observer said that Pan's Labyrinth was the best film of 2006, describing it as "an epic, poetic vision in which the grim realities of war are matched and mirrored by a descent into an underworld populated by fearsomely beautiful monsters." A description not far wrong!

Pan's Labyrinth, in my opinion, was a beautifully mastered film, giving the audience a whirl wind of emotion through the eyes of a young girl, Ofelia.

Set in Spain during the civil war, Ofelia and her heavily pregnant mother are sent to live in the country with her fierce Stepfather, Captain Vidal. Here Ofelia meets with a strange, imaginative set of creatures that tell her she could be a princess. Ofelia is set 3 tasks that have to be carried out, tasks that involve wonderfully created creatures that I simply would not be able to describe to you, to do them justice.

Pan's Labyrinth is not in the English Language but Spanish with subtitles. Do not let this hinder you from watching the film as it really is a modern classic. I would not label it as a fairytale, as I did not see it as that. I saw it as a film that took the audience on a emotional journey, as a young girl sets out to find who she is, and loses everyone she loves. With a very touching finale that almost brings you to tears.

A massive credit in my opinion in the film was the backing music. The music was superb. It helped to create suspense and the lullaby pieces beautifully summed up Ofelia's thoughts and feelings as she worried about her dieing mother.

One criticism of the film is the second task where Ofelia has to tackle a strange creature. she is told not to touch the food, a really simple instruction. However she does. Even though the film involves mythical creatures which are not real, this bit of the film to me was totally unrealistic. If i was a scared 10year old boy and was told i had to do a certain task and i was not allowed to touch the food to prevent the monster from being provoked. I really wouldn't. Yet in traditional, Hollywood style, the obvious journey is played out. My only criticism of the film.

Pan's Labyrinth won numerous awards, including an Oscar for Cinematography and Make up. The story is original and is a great film to watch.

I bought mine from WHSmith for £7, but believe Amazon will give a better offer.

The film is 109 minutes long which is a nice length for a fantastically written and filmed master piece. A must see.

Summary: a must see!