Best Movie of the Year

Rating: 10/10 (7 January 2007)

I wasn't actually going to see this movie because I thought it was just an all out horror movie. But I chanced upon some really good reviews so I caught it over the weekend.
Although it's the only movie I've seen in the new year, I really don't think I will see a better film. Everything about this film was perfect. Casting, acting, storytelling, special effects/ visuals and cinematography.
The premise of the story is quite simple.
Girl goes with pregnant mother to meet stepfather, who is captain of a unit fighting the rebels at the end of the Spanish civil war.
During her stay, she comes across a fairy who leads her to Pan. She is told she is a princess from another kingdom, and to win her way back she needs to perform 3 tasks.
These tasks are juxtaposed against the real life situation that she finds herself in and they are merged seamlessly, right up to the edge of your seat climax. Aside from the tasks she is performing, there are a couple of other sub-plots, including a rebel working in the household and the stepfather's fight against them.
The movie really isn't what I would call a horror movie. But it is dark. And one of the creatures she comes across is genuinely scary. Would make freddy Krueger seem like a baby kitten.
After watching dribble like Eragon, it was a pleasure again to watch a well written and acted film. All of the actor's performances were stellar. From the sadistic stepfather, to the helpless and sick mother, to the stoic and brave housekeeper and finally to the two other main protagonists, ofelia and the faun played by Doug Jones.
Please do go watch this movie. The only pity about this movie, is that it will probably only win Best Foreign language movie at the Oscars, when by right it is a no brainer to win in the main category.