Interesting movie with hidden symbolism and an anti-war sentiment

Rating: 9/10 (8 August 2015)

Ever since I saw this movie in the 'Foreign Movies' section at the store I wanted to see it. Flipping it over, I noticed the 'R' rating for violence and decided against it. A year later I saw it for $5 and decided I was ready to see it. It is a fairy tale, but a violent one at that. Picture old, Greek Mythology mixed with more modern wartime scenes. It is a wonderful story and the characters are all very captivating in their own ways. After watching the movie, these three articles helped me better understand the ending, the violence and the characters more.
Why the excessive violence? See here:
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies /news/2007-01-02-pans-labyrinth-side_x.htm
Other facts and trivia:
http://seriousfilm.blogspot.com/2013/11/20 -pans-labyrinth-details-you-may-have.html
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies /news/2007-01-02-pans-labyrinth-main_x.htm