A weird and wonderful film, but sadly not one I could get into

Rating: 4/10 (17 December 2008)

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning
Despite going more commercial with the Hellboy films, Spanish special effects wunderkind Gullirmo Del Toro has probably made more of a name for himself with this cult, subversive independent film set against the backdrop of Franco's Spain. Shot in his native homeland, with no doubt a fraction of the budget, he's still managed to produce some incredible special effects that are truly a wonder to the eye and mind. And his tale of a young girl caught between the conflict of a band of freedom fighters and the fascist dictatorship her father is part of who escapes into a wonderful fantasy land to escape the harsh reality of her existence has promise and a pleasant charm all of it's own. Sadly, I could not get involved in the plot at all and it simply failed to engage me through-out. Still, it's made an impression on many others and is likely to remain a cult classic for some time to come. **