An incredible mix of multiple genres.

Rating: 9/10 (2 July 2008)

Guillermo del Toro's fantastic film, Pan's Labyrinth, is part fantasy, part war story. And I don't think anyone else could have mixed the two together so well. The visual images are just stunning in every way. The mix of CGI and puppets make for the fantasy world to seem just as realistic as the real world. The acting is top-notch, especially by the little girl, Ivana Baquero, and the brutal, evil military captain, played by Sergi Lopez. The strongest part, though, is del Toro's storytelling ability as he flawlessly takes us between parallel worlds until they collide together in unspeakable terms. Be warned, this is not for children or anyone squeamish to violence in any way. There are multiple scenes of graphic violent behavior, yet it all is completely necessary to show how evil the real world can actually be. The ending may disappoint some viewers, but after pondering it for awhile, I found it to be the right choice, as well as truly beautiful and moving. This is truly a tour de force movie, mixing multiple genres into its blend and bringing out something truly magnificent. Undoubtedly one of the best films of this decade, and maybe the best foreign film since City of God.