Creative, Stylish, Original... Amazing.

Rating: 8/10 (11 November 2006)

I must say i don't like Del Toro. I found The Devils Backbone to be simplistic and obvious. Blade 2 was simply the sequel to a movie which wasn't that good anyways. Hellboy was OK, not good, not bad... just OK. But the movie i saw this evening...
Del Toro manages to portray various feelings in what seems to be a fairy tale. Its complexity lies on its apparent simplicity, Ophelia representing the good natured heart of innocence and Captain Vidal the corruption of the time. Visually its outstanding, Notice the scene involving that deadly white creature or the first encounter with the fairy when Ophelia is on her bed. Del Toro shows off his astonishing skills as a director as he manages to overwhelm us, make us smile and most crucially entertain us. The ending was simply heart-breaking and the scenes involving the fictional world, were as nerve-shattering as astonishing.
The movie not only benefits of Del Toro's wonderful script but also of some compelling performances. The actress playing Ophelia, was simply perfect, spot on. Maribel Verdu is convincing as the troubled servant and well... Sergi Lopez gets the show stealer role as the evil Captain Vidal which he portrays successfully.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Almodovar has a serious rival for the Oscars. Personally I really find it hard to choose this movie or Volver as a winner, as they are both original and superb in their own way.
I must also underline the feeling of melancholy or maybe nostalgia which i got after seeing this movie, as i realized it was a fairy tale, and maybe this is what is really great about this movie... lots of directors try to complicate things. Del Toro manages to overwhelm us by simply telling us a fairy tale, the most beautiful fairy tale this critic has heard in a long time.