Good. Not anything more.

Rating: 8/10 (19 May 2011)

I watched the movie not knowing what to expect. All I knew beforehand were a bunch of comments full of praise in this review section. Having just watched it though, this is how I would put it.
To be unbiased at all, this was a very good movie. I loved the blend of fantasy and all the real-life metaphors it threw to the viewer of hard life through the eyes of a child. I loved how it captured the pure innocence of childhood through Ofelia's eyes, played beautifully by Ivana Baquero. The rest of the supporting casts were also stunningly portrayed by Sergi López (whom I thought was the best in the movie hands down, for his chilling portrayal of Captain Vidal) and Maribel Verdú. No complains about the performances or the equally matched soundtrack. I'm fortunately not going to rant about the rest of the technicalities this movie gives though, that's all readily out there with the rest of the reviews.
On the underside however, surprising to find little of those among reviewers here, I felt however, the movie falls just inches short of achieving what it strived to do. Which was to play that theme of innocence lost or however it may be put. I felt that in the end, the level of awakening, or rather the level of self consciousness that the film-makers wanted the viewers to feel just wasn't as profound as it could have possibly been. I thought the ending was maybe just a bit too abrupt, and the light was somewhat dimmed (I wouldn't say lost), at making this film an all together completely over-whelming experience. I would've preferred if the movie had a tougher climax, and a tougher build up to that climax, then maybe it would have been a complete experience for me.
I also watched previously the Bridge to Terabithia, which was a more moving experience. Didn't do almost as well in the reviews compared to this though, but I felt THAT movie did had a more complete sort of feel to it. It could so easily have been sort of a remake to this one - but with a more grippy ending, and with a lighter plot.
All in all Pan's Labyrinth is a great movie I would recommend to anyone, based on the stellar performances alone. But maaaybe a bit too over hyped here among the folks at IMDb. 8/10