Impossible to take at face value

Rating: 10/10 (25 February 2007)

The excitement I had and still have for this film is not containable. I should start with the negatives first, but that's against the laws of nature, considering that this film has virtually no downsides.
There is gore, which some may find squeamish, but it is a necessary vehicle to convey the desperation of the times, which are set in the fascist regime of Spain and Italy. There is also plenty of tense moments that the director uses so well the audience is left holding hands in plenty of moments of fear and suspense, completely unknowing to the fate that will be bestowed upon the three central characters: Mercedes the Housekeeper, the evil Captain, and Ofelia the innocent protagonist.
The acting, set direction, make-up, music, directing and writing all combine to produce one of the top 10 films of the decade, if not of all time. The fast-paced story may seem slow at times, but that's only the fear digging its nails into your subconscious, the inner-child still wanting to believe in a fairytale ending. The finale, which I will not spoil, will be happy to some and possibly sad to others, but beware: do not take the movie at face-value. You will be sorrily mistaken.