Undeniable evidence del Toro Can Deliver A Masterpiece.

Rating: 10/10 (27 October 2010)

A+ Up until this film in particular, many were quite critical of del Toro's work. "Cronos" and "Devil's backbone" are widely respected, but not widely known. Del Toro considers "Mimic" a cluttered mess, while "Hellboy" and "Blade 2" are among his better known films. This is only natural as they appeal to the common movie goers' thirst for action but (me!!) find them more worthwhile with his artistic visual style. With this film I believe, it seems he pulled out all the stops for the critics.
For starters, the cast is incredible. Main stream crowds are used to star studded cast in order to find in their perspective a good film. I will honestly say prior to this film, other than Doug Jones, I was unfamiliar with any of these actors. But regardless the performances are perfect. It is rare to find such talent at a young age, but Ivana Baquero does just that. She portrays innocence, tension and vulnerability, so many emotions the climax will bring you to tears. Maribel Verdu was more than admirable, but Sergi Lopez practically takes the cake. Of course far be it from him to over shadow the other characters. He's still perfect as our antagonist. Every time he enters a scene there's an aura of dread, as well as pride. Doug Jones is dubbed over to fit the film but his role is no less memorable. He plays near opposites, the Faun and the Pale Man, and yet he fills them with personality and zest.
The story is just another well done aspect of the film. It takes a lot of inspiration from "Devil's Backbone, mixing a child-like fantasy world with a grisly war-ruled one. However, that film was a well told ghost story; this something far different. It's a story of brutality, loyalty, to a degree sin, but over all sacrifice. All of these themes are present in both of the film's settings, which are intertwined. Never before has a fantasy film been presented in such away. Comparisons have been made of it to "Narina" and "Bridge to Terabithia", which is somewhat true I guess. But this is a much deeper and more involving story.
Excellent photography as usual by Guillermo Navarro I must say, while the simple yet beautiful score provided by Javier Navarette is stunning. You could watch the film in isolated score and it wouldn't lose any of the tension, somberness or mystery and awe. That should really be a feature on the 2 disc, but alas it is not. And not even being a Hollywood spawned film, the visuals are fantastic and the lighting is never off. In short, Guillermo del Toro has created a masterpiece, one of my personal favorite films. A work of unimaginable are and an unforgettable story full of many well orchestrated themes and emotions.