Story first, effects second....

Rating: 8/10 (28 April 2009)

Guillermo del Toro returns with another historical based fantasy epic building upon similar territory explored in Hellboy. More on that soon.
The set-up follows young Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) as she travels with her pregnant Mother to meet up with Carmen's new stepfather, the nasty 'Capitan' (Sergi Lopez). It's 1944 and the war is coming to a close. Spain's fascist government is in power and it's the Capitan's role to clear up the last remnants of the resistance from the mountains. He soon proves he's more than up for the job.
Ofelia on the other hand, instantly dislikes him and for good reason. But there's much more going on here as she soon discovers.
I would imagine that if a standard film was to be made about fascist Spain at the close of World War II, it wouldn't attract as much attention as it does now after del Toro has thrown his fantasy elements into the mix. Don't be misled by the fantasy. It might suggest a light tread, but this ain't no kid flick. It's violent, cruel, tense, shocking, bewildering and times touching, but at no point does del Toro let you rest. The suspense and tension is wound as tightly as one of del Toro's clocks. (More on that soon too.)
As always, he's interested in story first. That's why his other effects heavy films (Hellboy, Blade II, Mimic, & Cronos) are so successful. There are also design similarities between this film and the others, including similar prop devices. It's almost certain that we haven't seen the last of these del Toro signature items.
Doug Jones, a del Toro regular, returns not once but twice, but it is the wistful innocence of our heroine Ofelia, who captures the heart. I had an emotional investment in her and the other characters, in spite of myself. This is a powerful and engaging film with one of the most vicious screen villains we've witnessed in some time. You'll be screaming for his demise.
After shooting the Hellboy sequel this year, del Toro hopes to make 3993, another historical Spanish film with supernatural overtones, this time set in the Civil War. It's clear he hasn't rid of all of his demons just yet. (review written in 2006).