del Toro's best film

Rating: 9/10 (26 November 2006)

A truly spectacular film.
Set in a remote part of post civil war Spain the story centres around the young, fairy tail reading Ofelia played brilliantly by the then 11 year old Ivana Baquero. After the death of Ofelia's father during the war her mother has remarried to a brutal fascist Capitán Vidal and is soon to give birth to his son.
As her step father hunts for those remaining resistance fighters left in the woods and violence wages all around her Ofelia finds escape in a fantasy world of which she is destined to be princess.
The film delves into Ofelia's dark and beautiful fantasy world regularly throughout the film but for the most part plays out in the harsh reality of fascist era Spain, however, both worlds integrate perfectly thanks to top notch directing from del Toro.
There's some brilliant acting in this film as well with a stand out performance by Sergi Lopez who's character Capitan Vidal is reminiscent of Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes) in Schindler's List.
Don't be put off by subtitles or the fantasy theme Pan's Labyrinth is certainly a film for adults. Go see this one whilst it's still at the cinemas, you won't regret it.