A layered, magical and maturely dark fairy-tale that almost demands dissection.

Rating: 9/10 (17 February 2018)

Guillermo Del Toro's dark fairy-tale is at its best when it delves into its own twisted fantasy and our young protagonist comes face to face with some of the most unique creations within the genre, and yet its civil war backdrop plays just as important a role in shaping the overall story. 'Pan's Labyrinth (2006)' provides a surprisingly brutal stark contrast to the sense of wide-eyed wonder we feel whenever the lead steps into her newfound world of fawns and fairies, a world which isn't actually all that much safer. The tangibility of both these aspects is commendable considering one was created from scratch and the other was recreated from a war-torn era over fifty years ago. It is the believability of the world that makes the stakes seem all the more real, considering that danger is almost constantly present even in the places where the protagonist goes to escape - or seek a remedy for - her real-life woes. This is a layered, magical and mature piece that almost demands dissection. It's affecting, engaging and enjoyable. 9/10