Pan's Labyrinth doesn't disappoint! An extremely well made movie and can't be missed!

Rating: 9/10 (24 November 2006)

I was eagerly waiting for the release date of Pan's Labyrinth to come, as it was one of my most anticipated movies this year. The day came today, when I saw it at the cinema. I came out, amazed and stunned on how well this movie was made and it truly lived up to my expectations.
Pan's Labyrinth follows the story between a girl and his mother, meeting her newly adopted father during a Spanish war. Her new father isn't very nice, and all he wants is something (no spoilers). The girl, named Ofelia then meets up with Pan in a labyrinth, and he tells her that she can be a princess and be an immortal if she does three tasks for him. However, it doesn't turn out as easy as she thought.
A wonderful movie is all I can say! It's not an all fantasy movie, it's about 50/50. Half it it focuses on Ofelia and the labyrinth, and the other focuses on the Spanish war. However, it all links up to the ending, so both parts of the movie are important. All of the acting is excellent and the creatures in this movie are some of the best I've seen in a movie. Pan and the Pale Man looked absolutely amazing.
All of this topped up with a highly polished and well written story can guarantee this will be mentioned somewhere in the Oscars. Del Toro has truly made a masterpiece, and this is what you really call a fantasy movie. Yes, all of the language is in Spanish but that doesn't mean a movie can't be considered a masterpiece. I quickly got used to the subtitles and I kind of liked the Spanish language used in the movie, since it was set in Spain and would be kind of silly with English.
So, overall, Pan's Labyrinth lived up to my expectations. If you've been looking for an excellent, well made fantasy movie for 2006, then this is your answer. Even if you hate foreign movies, you've still got to see it! Well written, brilliant acting, and a creative movie makes this one a movie you can't miss. I'm glad I saw it, and you'll love it too.