Horror fairy tale

Rating: Null/10 (9 August 2014)

Pan's Labyrint is one of those film that could only come into existence in the hands of an exceptional director. In this case Guillermo del Toro. The man in question has proved himself to such a degree that nowadays he can do pretty much anything he wants and it will get greenlighted. And such he is free to pursue his passions and provide us with these breathtakingly beautiful, scary and brilliant movies.
Pan's Labyrinth is an excellent example. With a quick glance it's nothing more than a fantasy story with a dark art style and some scary parts. But it's much more than that. Most of the film actually takes place in a Spanish forest estate during the horrors of World War Two. The fairy realm we eventually get to visit is certainly scary-looking and creepy, but the real horror in this film comes the corruption and evil of men, not beasts and creatures.
It's also an interesting film because you're never quite sure how much of it is real. Ofelia's (played brilliantly and convincingly by Ivana Baquero) blight under the tyranny of his new stepfather would make the argument that it's all happening in her head rather probable, but the film is more layered than that. It allows you to choose. Perhaps all of it DOES happen in her head and it's just her way of escaping a horrible reality. But it could all be true. But only if you want it to be.
Saying anything more would spoil the film too much and this is one of those movies that needs to be experienced. A lot of its scariness and atmosphere comes from its unpredictability and its surprises. It's a gorgeous, upsetting, uplifting and wonderful film and one of del Toro's best.