A compelling and original fantasy tail for grown up children

Rating: 10/10 (14 February 2007)

These days it's quite common that film makers attempt to use highly stylized visuals to make up for a lacking in substance in film. It's much rarer that we get to see a film that expertly marries stunning visuals with a deep and satisfying story. In Pan's Labyrinth director Guillermo del Toro has done just that.
Set in Spain at the end of the second world war, it tells the tail of the stepdaughter of a captain in Franco's army. Unhappy with her life, she escapes into fantastic imaginary world while brutal repression is inflicted by the fascists around her. As the story progresses, events in her Imaginary world mirror those in the increasingly violent real world and both worlds begin to intermingle. However Del Toro gives both stories enough space to grow individually. This allows for reflection on themes such power and love while simultaneously providing a compelling and absorbing adventure story.
Directing his own screenplay, del Toro has managed to get universally great performances from his excellent cast. Particularly of note is the captain himself, played with cruel arrogance by Sergi López. Another great performance comes from Maribel Verdú as his maid who is also working with the rebels. However it's the thirteen year old Ivana Baquero who is the star. Her turn as the young heroine Ofelia establishes her as a talent to watch.
Visually, in the fantasy segments of the film Del Toro has crafted an uniquely dark world. Scenes that would have Messrs Burton and Jackson week at the knees are brilliantly contrasted with the horror of war.
Yet the key to the success of this film is that Del Toro know's when to pull his punches. The audience is not bombarded with gratuitous CGI. The visual elements merely play their part, along with an original story, an excellent script, great performances and intelligent direction to make a Film that has all the makings of a modern classic.
A work of great originality, Pan's Labyrinth is a dark fairy tail that film lovers and grown up children will adore.