Astonishing and Terrifying Fable

Rating: 9/10 (30 December 2006)

Boy, this Guillermo del Toro fella really delivered this time! What a movie, friends, what a movie... Powerful imagery, upsetting scenery, wonderful performances, a real tour-de-force. When we see the first images and check the dim and grim lighting, we know what is about to come: something that yet entertaining is going to raise thoughts in our little heads, as we follow the little Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) journey into the world of fascism and ambiguity, represented by her stepfather, Captain Vidal (Sergi López, fantastic) and her guide to the Underworld, Pan (Doug Jones, a master of gesture and voice inflexions). I have seen in very few opportunities such a happy combination of masterfully directed script with excellent and frightening effects, that (oh, my God) actually help telling the story, instead of blowing away the audience attention. A true masterpiece, go see it, chum!