"School Critique of Pan's Labyrinth"

Rating: 10/10 (21 May 2007)

Pan's Labyrinth is an excellent view into the rarely seen "R-rated" fairy tale genre. Writer, Director, and Co-Producer, Guillermo Del Toro, delivers a picture in which those who view it must be smart enough to relate it to their own human nature. To be able to understand this film viewers need to draw from previous experience, and leave all previous ideas about the film behind.
Guillermo Del Toro was able to take his vision of Pan's Labyrinth as far as he wanted it to go because as writer and director, he didn't need to stay to someone else's vision he was able to change anything about any aspect of the film at any point.
The lighting used in Pan's Labyrinth separates the two worlds that Ofelia (main character) travels between. Her real world is filled with cold colors, blues, and greens. The harsh reality of the living with Vidal (her new stepfather, and the Captain of the military regiment) along with his troops make the viewer relate to Ofelia obvious depression while in it. The fantasy world is overflowing with crimsons, golds, browns, and yellows. Creating a "womblike" feel says Del Toro. An example of creative lighting is in the scene in which the rebels attack the mill held by the Spanish Military. During shooting Spain had a record dry spell so there was no fire allowed. They needed to create big explosion so they used "dirt and cork and a festival of lights on dimmers" says Guillermo Navarro, the Director of Photography.
Sounds used in Pan's Labyrinth were focused more on verbal appeal than musical. Being a Spanish film the language is gentle to the ear. Much of the music is played very low in the background to break the silence. But mainly the dialogue between the characters is good enough to keep the viewer interested without needing music to keep their focus.
The costume design in Pan's Labyrinth is accurate in displaying the time period in which the story takes place. In Ofelia's real world the costume design is mainly military garb and. The Spanish military wears their standard uniform. While the rebels wear their battle weary uniform, which have basically become rags after so much fighting. This displays the struggle that they are being forced to deal with. Ofelia and the other non-military characters wear traditional civilian clothing. During a dinner that Captain Vidal host many Aristocratic people come that seem to be wearing very elaborate and expensive clothing.
In Ofelia's fantasy world the costumes are very extravagant. The two most memorable costumes are the Faun and the Pale Man. Pan's (the Faun's) costume is very detailed. The first time the viewer sees Pan he could be mistaken for a tree because of some of the plants that seem to be growing on him. The actor in the suit had his legs edited out via green-screen to make it seem that Pan's knee bend in the opposite direction (backward). The Pale man's costume was very eerie. The concept is very strange for this costume. Having eyes in his hands creates a very menacing looking character. When a regular person puts their hands on their faces in that matter most viewers think of playing with children thus the fairy tale aspect is the story, but this character takes that idea and tosses it out of the window. The final costume designs of the fantasy world are when she finally meets her real father. They are stunning crimson and gold robes, that blend nicely with the golden background creating an expansive look to them. Ofelia's, costumes are mainly her real world clothing thus creating a contrast between her and her imaginary world.
There were not many special effects used in Pan's Labyrinth. The only stand out special effect was a giant frog in which Ofelia encounters under the big tree. This was one of the few parts of the movie that I didn't enjoy because the frog looked way to fake. It looked like it was just copied and pasted into the film, without any type of blend done to make it look more realistic.
I believe that Pan's Labyrinth is a very well made film. Almost every aspect of this film makes a competent viewer think and view it as apart of there own lives. I highly recommend this film for anyone who truly appreciates good film.