Exhilarating Brilliance

Rating: 9/10 (30 March 2007)

'Pan's Labyrinth' wasn't going to wait. And I wasn't going to let a silly 'sold out' marquee interrupt my date with del Toro. So with a ticket to 'Alpha Dog', and a front row seat in a packed theater, I sat down to enjoy 2 hours of magical film-making. 'Labyrinth' is, without a doubt, one of the most magical pieces of film-making I've ever had the pleasure of seeing, with a rich and compelling story to be told. It crosses into the realm of fantasy and back, and rarely misses a beat. This is a rare fairytale for adults, one that wraps its spellbinding magic around you and takes you on an unforgettable journey. A journey well-worth taking, and one that shouldn't be missed.
The year is 1944, the setting is war-torn Spain. A young girl and her pregnant mother travel north to a rural setting where the mother will be together with her new husband, a cruel Captain whose orders are to squash a guerrilla army looming in the surrounding woods. The girl, Ofelia, imagines a wondrous world filled with magical creatures to help her cope with the death and danger she must face in the real world. She dreams of becoming a princess, and the three tasks she must complete for this prophecy to be fulfilled. She'll meet fairies, a faun, a giant toad, and a terrifying monster with an appetite for little boys and girls. But the dream can't last forever, as Ofelia along with many others must come to terms with the changing world around them.
Spanish director del Toro has a style all of his own. It's dark, it's haunting, it's mesmerizing. There's little left to the imagination in 'Pan's Labyrinth', as del Toro's alternate reality is so richly satisfying and so surreal, it couldn't have been dreamed up any better. It is, quite simply, an Odyssey for a new generation. And yes, a fairytale for adults. For within its pixie dust and woodlen creatures, 'Labyrinth' is also an unflinching and grim portrayal of war and oppression. It's disturbing, and at times even difficult to watch. A political movie told through the eyes of a young girl. Those two elements collide with such force that you may even be looking for your breathe during the film's more intense sequences. The depth to which this film is able to reach is remarkable and rare by today's standards, it's something that is genuinely touching and heartbreaking at the same time. I only wish we had gotten to know the fantasy world more intimately, for every moment spent with it and its visually stunning characters was a moment to be remembered.
'Pan's Labyrinth' is headed by twelve-year-old Ivana Baquero, a very talented young girl who has the role of a lifetime. Her character, Ofelia, is one of the few aspects in del Toro's film whose innocence hasn't been lost, and whose imagination is still rich with fantasy and wonder. The situation she's been placed in is heartbreaking, but her means of coping is admirable. Maribel Verdu, who also stars in the great 'Y Tu Mama Tambien', plays Mercedes, the housekeeper who comes to form a close bond with Ofelia. Her performance is equally fantastic, as is Sergi Lopez, the foul Captain. His threatening persona powers the film, and his ruthless character is shocking. Doug Jones gives a noteworthy performance, both as Pan and the Pale Man. Jones has given birth to many characters in films, including 'Hellboy' (another del Toro film), 'Lady in the Water', and the upcoming 'Fantastic Four' and 'Hellboy' sequels. Together the entire cast comes together to form an exceptional and diverse ensemble.
Without a doubt, 'Pan's Labyrinth' is the most magical film of the year, but also simply one of the year's best. It excels on all levels, thanks to the direction and script from Guillermo del Toro. The experience is one that will ultimately enrich you, and might make you believe in a more magical existence. But if anything, 'Labyrinth' stands as a testament to film-making, and how visual storytelling can be used to tell a powerful message that's worth being told, and that all should listen to. It's astonishing. I challenge you to dip yourself into its dark magic, and revel in its tale of innocence and sacrifice.