An Instant Classic!

Rating: 10/10 (9 March 2007)

Ever since I first heard about "Pan's Labyrinth" I thought it looked amazing. Then it ended up winning three Oscars; Best Achievement in Art Direction, Cinematography, and Make-up, and almost won Best Foreign Film. After that, I knew I had to see this film. I made the short trek to Flint to see it, and I am so glad I did. The movie is actually better than the reviewers or trailer ever made it out to be. "Pan's Labyrinth" is a haunting, beautiful, fairy-tale masterpiece that beats "Children of Men" as best film of last year.
The movie centers on a young girl named Ofelia in 1944 Spain. She and her pregnant mom are forced to live in a military hide-out with Ofelia's evil, dictator stepfather until her mother has her baby. A little ways away from the compound, Ofelia finds an ancient labyrinth. Upon entering she meets Pan, a faun who has been waiting for her for centuries. Ofelia discovers she is actually a princess, and uses this fantasy world to escape from her harsh, war-ravaged reality.
The plot sounds like a kid-type fairy tale, but it is not. "Pan's Labyrinth" is a dark, intense, and violent, with a Tim Burton type look to it. By all means though, older teens and adults will be enthralled by director Guillermo del Toro's film. The cinematography and costumes are brilliant, hence the Oscars. The originality of it all is great; we have never seen a film quite like this before. The music is haunting yet beautiful, and will stick with you long after the film ends. What I especially enjoyed was the contrast between the real world and Pan's world. It leaves you with the question of whether or not it is all in Ofelia's mind or if it is actually real. Ivana Baquero who plays Ofelia is absolutely amazing! Normally child actors don't do much for me, but Ivana blew me completely away, she draws you into the movie with her brilliant acting. Sergi López as Captain Vidal, Ofelia's stepfather, is extremely believable as the worse than bad, bad guy. By the end you will loathe Vidal with a passion. Just to give you a little heads up, "Pan's Labyrinth" is in Spanish with English subtitles, which I love, but most people hate. And for those who thought the trailer looked scary, don't fret, there is only one scary sequence, but nonetheless, it is VERY scary.
So for those who are up to braving an artsy, subtitled, dark, graphic film, then you are in for a wild ride. Believe me when I say, "Pan's Labyrinth" is a masterpiece.
It is rated R for graphic violence, and some language.