The reason cinema was invented

Rating: 10/10 (20 April 2007)

Pan's Labrynth is an absolute masterpiece and one of the best films in years. Foreign films, perhaps because they does not have to conform to market research and demographics like Hollywood does, have consistently produced superbly deep and quietly funny films, and Pan's is no different.
This film also achieves an incredibly difficult feat - it runs two stories parallel at once (one of the labyrinth, the other of the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War). Neither story detracts from the other and both are equally engaging. Within ten minutes of this film the audience is captivated. I watched Pan's with 3 friends of mine - one of whom is not a film fan and has a tendency to switch off - but all 3 were glued to the screen from the word go.
The superb direction allows the film to move at a good pace, and allows the character to develop well. The sense of drama and tension is infused in every scene and every character is believable.
The ambiguity of the film, solidified by its ending, ensures each audience member will take something personal out of the film and its visual semantics are up for debate.
I cannot recommend a film more strongly.