Pan's Labyrinth
Writer/director Guillermo del Toro has created a fabulous combination of historical film (the Spanish Civil War) and fantasy.
The story takes place in 1944. Franco's army is victorious but there are still some rebels out there willing take them on. Ofelia Ivana Baquero) travels with her pregnant mother Carmen (Ariadna Gil) to rural Spain to live with her mother's new husband - the evil Captain Vidal (Sergi Lopez). Ofelia loves to read fairy tales and she lives through one as she tries to cope with living with a man who she will never accept as her father.
While she is there she seeks some solace from her father's maid Mercedes (Maribel Verdu). She even keeps Mercedes' secret - Mercedes is helping out the anti-Franco forces. Ofelia also makes the acquaintance of the creature Pan (Doug Jones) who tells her that she can work some magic if she just follows some instructions.
This film is not only totally original it is an absolute work of genius. It combines a political theme and a fable without a hitch. There are some scenes in the film that felt like Alice in Wonderland. Senor del Toro has such a magnificent imagination. And I should tell you that there are some scenes that are quite violent.
The acting is outstanding. Lopez is deliciously vile in his role as a man without morals. I wish that he was getting more awards attention but, sadly, he is not (he is better than most of the actors being mentioned for nominations). Young Ms. Baquero is fantastic as Ofelia. This is the best performance by a child actor that I have seen in a long time. Jones is magical as Pan and both Verdu and Gil are wonderful in their respective roles. And all of the other acting is also great.
Guillermo Navarro's cinematograpy is gorgeous and the original music by Javier Navarrete is beautiful.
Pan's Labyrinth is the second of a trilogy about The Spanish Civil War. I have read that del Toro is planning to make the third film after he makes Hell Boy 2. The first film in the series is The Devil's Backbone, which is also great. I highly suggest that you see that film either on DVD or cable (IFC sometimes shows it). And as for Pan's Labyrinth, I cannot recommend this film highly enough and I think that you should see it on the big screen. It will blow you away.
The story takes place in 1944. Franco's army is victorious but there are still some rebels out there willing take them on. Ofelia Ivana Baquero) travels with her pregnant mother Carmen (Ariadna Gil) to rural Spain to live with her mother's new husband - the evil Captain Vidal (Sergi Lopez). Ofelia loves to read fairy tales and she lives through one as she tries to cope with living with a man who she will never accept as her father.
While she is there she seeks some solace from her father's maid Mercedes (Maribel Verdu). She even keeps Mercedes' secret - Mercedes is helping out the anti-Franco forces. Ofelia also makes the acquaintance of the creature Pan (Doug Jones) who tells her that she can work some magic if she just follows some instructions.
This film is not only totally original it is an absolute work of genius. It combines a political theme and a fable without a hitch. There are some scenes in the film that felt like Alice in Wonderland. Senor del Toro has such a magnificent imagination. And I should tell you that there are some scenes that are quite violent.
The acting is outstanding. Lopez is deliciously vile in his role as a man without morals. I wish that he was getting more awards attention but, sadly, he is not (he is better than most of the actors being mentioned for nominations). Young Ms. Baquero is fantastic as Ofelia. This is the best performance by a child actor that I have seen in a long time. Jones is magical as Pan and both Verdu and Gil are wonderful in their respective roles. And all of the other acting is also great.
Guillermo Navarro's cinematograpy is gorgeous and the original music by Javier Navarrete is beautiful.
Pan's Labyrinth is the second of a trilogy about The Spanish Civil War. I have read that del Toro is planning to make the third film after he makes Hell Boy 2. The first film in the series is The Devil's Backbone, which is also great. I highly suggest that you see that film either on DVD or cable (IFC sometimes shows it). And as for Pan's Labyrinth, I cannot recommend this film highly enough and I think that you should see it on the big screen. It will blow you away.
posted by Film Fanatic | 3:37 PM
1 Comments:
I loved that movie too.
Thanks for the review which encouraged me to go and see it.
Elfriede
Post a Comment
<< Home