Pan's Labyrinth

Rating: 8/10 (10 June 2007)

This is a Spanish movie, and I saw it in Dutch subtitles. I do not know both the languages. I had seen the trailer of the movie and found it too childish and weird in associating war scenes with fantasy. I was not much interested in seeing the movie, but just because of the excellent review of the film on various web-sites, I went and saw the movie.
The story is told from the viewpoint of a 12 year old girl Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), who is brought by her mother (Manolo Solo) to the step father and Captain Vidal (Sergi Lopez) of Spanish battalion during the fascist 1944 era. There are two plots running in the movie. One of the brutal guerilla wars of cruel Captain Vidal and the other of the fantasy and dream world of Ofelia, who finds and sees a fairy tale beyond human imaginations. The story unfolds side by side and ends up in how the young girl succeeds in her mission, with the help of a fantasy Jinn (Doug Jones), through the defeat and killing of the sadistic Captain Vidal.
The Director Guillermo del Toro has told this tale with sheer brilliance in weaving the two story line with such a ease and simplicity that neither of them disturb the flow and narrative of the movie. The brutality of the war and the terrifying images of the fantasy world  both live up to the expectations and audience's satisfaction.
The musical score is excellent and the production, casting, set, make up designers have played a pivotal role in the movie's high quality output. All credit to Guillermo, who has achieved international fame and reputation through this movie  that has won many awards (among them 3 Oscars).
Sergi Lopez has played the hated role of Captain Vidal and leaves us in resounding hatred towards him. But the movie is all and all dependent on the girl Ivana Baquero who has grabbed the impossible opportunity of the life time to play this innocent yet vulnerable role of the young girl who loves to dream and live a fantasy life.
A unique and totally satisfying movie experience; Go see and cherish the joys of good cinema. A mild warming  the movie has many gory and violent scenes that might disturb you too.
(Stars 8 out of 10)