I Have No Stomach for Gore and I LOVED Pan's Labyrinth

Rating: 10/10 (8 January 2007)

Let me stress, this is not a film for children. It's more in the old-fashioned story-telling vain with true villains, tests of courage, and lot's of harsh lessons. It's like the version of Cinderella where her step-sister cuts off her toe to fit into the glass slipper (and you actually see the toe being removed).
I wanted to address the gore in the film. Yes, the violence is harsh, but it's only on the screen for about 5 minutes out of the entire film. You can also tell when it's going to happen. The scene will build up to it. The visuals won't just cut to something gory then explain it later (like The Ring, which I had to walk out of because it was too graphic and scary). I had plenty of time to cover my eyes.
From the other reviews I've read, I thought I was going to be bombarded by gore and violence, but this was not the case. The story starts at a mellow pace with pleasant imagery. It really captures the wonder and innocence of a child being introduced to a cruel and strange world (both real and fantasy). There is a definite Alice and Wonderland feel to the film, but it quickly spirals to something much darker than the Disney version.
Pan's Labyrinth is two stories in one. There's the harsh reality of war versus a fantastical world based on myth and fairy tales. This film is what other films have been so desperately trying to be, but otherwise failing (The Brother's Grimm comes to mind).
I love mythical, parable-type films and Pan's Labyrinth does a great job with wonderful story-telling, excellent acting, great character development, fine editing...the list goes on and on. Also, the CG is understated and beautiful.