'absolute phenomenon'

Rating: Null/10 (3 October 2010)

When I heard about this film I really didn't think I would enjoy it because it's based on fantasy and the war. Also this film is sub titled which I thought would have me side tracked and not be able to understand the film's story. However, I was wrong! This film is an absolute phenomenon, it's one of those films where you are sitting on the edge of your chair because you feel really involved and feel empathy for the characters. In a cross between Alice in Wonderland and Labyrinth, a young girl, Ofelia,has to succeed in a series of quests to save her mother and brother from death. What made this film astonishing were all the different ways the director has used mise-en-scene to create his dark and twisted fantasy world. The costumes are awesomely amazing and although extravagantly fantastic give the characters a sense of realism. The Faun's costume is especially effective because it made me feel scared of the character when he first appeared and that Ofelia absolutely shouldn't trust his words. The final showdown between these characters leave you wondering whether you have just watched her dream or her reality.