It's all been done before, but not like this!

Rating: 7/10 (27 January 2007)

I caught Guillermo del Toro's fairytale adventure last night and came away a little disappointed.
Everything about the film oozed quality; great editing, solid acting all around, beautiful set and creature design, good sound and score. Just about all the ingredients necessary for a deliciously mature fairytale adventure.
The mature tone and construction of the film were in stark contrast to the otherwise childish and one dimension story. Pan's Labyrinth is marketed as a "fairytale for adults" and while the production design, graphic violence and feel of the film are presented with an older audience in mind, the plot just does not deliver. It was a beautifully constructed film, but I doubt I will be able to recommend for anything other than its sensory appeal.