Stunning, poetic, brutal - ELdF packs a hell of a punch.

Rating: 9/10 (24 September 2007)

El Laberinto del Fauno is a faerie-tale in a terrible world. Set in post-Civil War Spain, bookworm Ofelia is living in a tragedy with her increasingly ill and pregnant mother and her stepfather, the cruel and sadistic Captain Vidal. The family is moved to a mill (where Vidal is stationed) and it is there that Ofelia meets her destiny, and the opportunity for something better. She is drawn to a labyrinth near the mill by a 'faerie', and it is there she is introduced to the Faun (also known as 'Pan' in the English adaption, but the faun introduces himself as 'Faun'. 'Pan' comes from the mischievous faun god in Greek mythology). The Faun tells her that her true identity is Princess Moanna, born of the moon, and she must complete three tasks to prove her royalty.
What I particularly loved about the princess concept is that it can either be interpreted as reality or escapism (fantastising about something better whilst being forced to live around death and pain). I think a lot of us (the less cynical) like to think that it is real, especially at the end.
The juxtaposition of the brutality of Vidal and the war in general with the beautiful, surreal faerie-tale of Ofelia is a very intriguing contrast. Some of the scenes with Vidal I had to look away, some of it was too cruel and gory to watch. It's very cleverly done, especially as Vidal is drawn into the labyrinth with Ofelia at the end and sees her talking to no-one - is this because it doesn't exist (it's in her mind) or he is an adult/doesn't believe? Del Toro leaves this to our imaginations and forces us as an audience to come to a decision.
Stunning visuals and effects, creative storyline and fantastic conclusion. El Laberinto Del Fauno is not something you want to miss.