horrifying and beautiful

Rating: 10/10 (27 January 2007)

This is a tremendously powerful portrayal of fascism at the personal level. The acting is seamless especially the brilliant portrayal of Ofelia. As a side note, women are rendered with regard to their strength and character.
While violent, the violence is illuminating both for the child's coping with trauma, the individual response to brutality and the social cost of violence. The fantasy serves both for it's "otherworld" aspect and the illuminating personal strength and sacrifice. The special effects are beautiful with fantastic characters rendered as believable. Certainly not a movie for children. I was blown away.