I am at a loss for words.

Rating: 9/10 (14 May 2010)

"Come, sit beside your father. He has been waiting for you so long."
I am at a loss for words after seeing this movie.
"Magic does not exist. Not for you, and not for anyone else." These are probably the most penetrating words of the entire film. They are preceded by "You're getting older. Soon you'll see life isn't like your fairy tales. The world is a cruel place.... and you'll learn that even if it hurts." I believe in the heart of every person, we want to see the world as a mythic place. We want to believe in magic, but somewhere along the way, we were told to 'grow up.'
I believe in magic. I've seen it for myself. It exists in expertly crafted film, and in the creative minds of people who are not afraid to unleash it. If magic exists in film, then 'Pan's Labyrinth' is the most powerful spell there is.
I'll begin with the story. It revolves around a young, creative girl who, after loosing her father during the war, moves with her pregnant mother the house of her new husband - a fascist army general commanding an army in Spain. Ofelia, though, is young and innocent. She sees the world as it is - a mythic, extraordinary place, full of magic, wonder, and things only imaginable by a child. Upon exploring her new backyard, she finds a stone labyrinth, at the center of which is a faun.
He tells her she's fallen into a story where she plays a crucial part - she is the princess of a land unknown by humans. She is given a new name - Princess Moanna of the Underground Realm, and is sent on a dangerous adventure filled with peril, danger, and magic.
All the while, conflict breaks out between her step-father and his endeavors to sweep the land clean (i.e., kill) all those who do not agree with the fascist laws set into place. Constantly avoiding her violent and angry father, Ofelia tries desperately to fight for the kingdom she was told about by the faun - a kingdom where she has a place.
This story speak to my heart like no other - it's so filled with spiritual truth, magic, innocence, and just... awe-inspired wonder that you cannot watch this movie without feeling like you are watching a masterpiece.
The acting is phenomenal. What I wouldn't give to be fluent in Spanish, so I could have paid more attention to the actors' faces as they performed, rather than the subtitles, but it made no difference. Every single character was played beautifully.
The visual effects in this movie were outstanding as well. Not ground- breaking, but the cinematography (which, I learned after watching, actually won the Oscar the year of it's release) combined with the visualizations are simply magnificent. The faun, the fairies, the labyrinth, the trees, even down to the little particles floating in the air - it brings a level of magic to this movie not thought possible; at least by me.
I do wish to make clear, though, this is not a kids' movie. Not in the least bit. It well deserves it's 'R' rating. It has violence, language (although, you only have to read it, not hear it), and sometimes, the magic and creatures of the film are rather intense and frightening to look at. All this is set during a war, too (though there aren't any kind of huge battles or anything). What came to mind while watching this was 'This is a Disney movie for grown-ups.'
The music was masterfully mixed and written and flowed so well with the story. The score during the closing credits was extraordinary, and the sheer tender simplicity of it all was beautiful by itself.
As I sit here writing, I am trying to find at least one negative thing to say about the film. There is not one that is coming to mind right now. I'm entirely serious. It was that good.
I was extremely happy to discover, during the end credits, who directed this movie. Guillermo del Toro. I'd never seen anything by him before, but I did know he's directing the two 'The Hobbit' movies slated for release in coming years. After seeing 'Pan's Labyrinth,' I am almost certain 'The Hobbit' will surpass 'The Lord of the Rings.' I would be surprised if it didn't.
This movie was astonishing, in every way a person can be astonished. Maybe it speaks to my creative mind, and maybe you won't see what I saw in it, but the film I viewed was a masterpiece. There is no question.
My favorite part, though, was the story. I'd like to share a quote with you. I will not give it proper context, but I will say it might spoil the movie for you. But, I feel I need to share it. It's placement was nothing short of enlightening and beautiful.
***SPOILERS*** "...and it is said that the Princess returned to her Father's Kingdom. She reigned with him with justice and a kind heart for many centuries. She always loved her people. She left behind small traces of her time on Earth visible only to those who knew where to look." ***END SPOILERS***
That is my dream. The create magic like Guillermo del Toro did with this film. To leave 'small traces of my time here on Earth' so people, generations, after me can know the mythic world I lived and believed in, and that they, too, can enter into their Father's Kingdom, who, too, has been waiting for them for so long.
5/5