I've seen thousands of films and this is clearly the greatest of all time

Rating: 10/10 (25 January 2007)

Citizen Kane can go to heck. It's time for the cinephiles of the world to join me -- eternally lost in Del Toro's wonderful Laberinto (as they say in Spain).
Where to even begin? This film is deep. You will see it in the theatre and the film will not leave your mind for many weeks. I have never before seen such amazing character depth. Seriously, I cried at least three times over the course of this film. And I know I wasn't alone -- because my mom was right next to me crying too.
The dual nature of the fantasy world and the harsh realities of World War II intermingle in a way that is most delectable to the nocturnal spectator. The little girl will capture your heart in a big emotional glass jar and when she dies at the end, your heart will die too. The best part of the film is the adorable fawn creature. As soon as I get kids (and believe me I'm trying) I'm going to take them to this magical world as soon as they're old enough to read subtitles. It's important that they learn the lessons of the film, that good will always prevail over evil -- it's just that sometimes almost everyone you know and you yourself have to die too.
The General is unpredictable monster. I never knew whether he was going to shoot someone or just kill them. Every person he met! My grandmother (also present at the screening) remarked that he was quite like a fascist Elvis -- shooting the television instead of changing the channel. Although I guess instead of TVs this guy is shooting people.
The special effects are so real that you won't even wonder how they are done. You will simply believe that they are real. The fawn is hilarious. Was he supposed to be Pan? I don't know -- there are many mysteries to be unlocked and I hope to tackle them all when I see it again for the 7th time tomorrow.
Go now! This is seriously the greatest film of all time. Take it from me Dan "The Movie Man" Wolfson.