one of the best

Rating: 10/10 (16 May 2007)

Pan's Labrynth is without a doubt of one best films of 2006. It did receive 3 Oscars, It deserved more.
This is a harrowing, somber tale mixing both Science Fiction animation & real life drama.
The setting is a forest in Spain during World War 2. A troop of soldiers led by a very sadistic Captain (Serge Lopez is superb in this role.) His pregnant wife is about to deliver a child, where-in lies the rest of the story
Also he has a 11 year old step-daughter enchantingly portrayed by Ariadna Gil, who finds a magical land in the forest, She also finds a faun (enacted by Doug Jones--he also portrays another character later on in the film). I cannot divulge more about these scenes. Add to the mix a housekeeper played by Ivana Baquerro,who is in sympathy with both Carmen & with the rebels.
ALL 3 should have been nominated for Oscars.
The writer/director Guiillermo Del Toro was nominated.
It was a shame the Hollywood could not pick a NON_ENGLISH film as one of the top 5 of the year.
Very rarely has Hollywood done this. PAN'S LABRYNTH is way superior to the 2 past films nominated GRAND ILLUSION & Z.
I do not this there were any other non-English films nominated for outstanding film.Granted there is a separate award for these movies & are eligible for all other Oscars & have been nominated & won many times. BUT they do not get nominated or win the big one.
NOTE: This is a harrowing grim movie,It definitely is not for children under 13-14 years old. Besides being too mature there is little action or humour in this film.
It is rather for adults who enjoy superb drama mixed with some science -ficton.. These two elements blend perfectly.
The acting by all is superb, the production credits are excellent.
Ratings **** (out of 4) 99 points (out of 100) IMDb 1 (out if 10)