Visually superb but otherwise lacking.

Rating: 6/10 (21 March 2007)

I was completely convinced that I was going to enjoy this film. I should, of course, only judge films by seeing them myself but I had read so many reviews (by reviewers who I normally agree with) that I felt this would be a real gem.
Sadly I just didn't enjoy large sections of the film at all. I had expected a thought-provoking fantasy film which was beautifully crafted and thoroughly insightful (such comments have been flooding out of the many positive reviews I have seen). However on careful reflection I must say I didn't find much of the film to be insightful, and for some parts it bordered on emotionless.
I will highlight a few of the main problems, the first being the lack of cohesion between the two story lines. At least two thirds of the film focuses on a Fascist captain exacting merciless pain on those who oppose him (or in some cases innocent bystanders) - meanwhile Ofelia delves in and out of a fantasy world to undertake three tasks. For me the fantasy world elements do not seem to fit in to this brutal war film.
This brings me on to another grievance which is the lack of depth in the world in which Ofelia is transported to (or imagines?). I am still unclear as to how it existed, in what way it intermingled with the real world and what its function was. Some may say this is as it was intended to encourage the viewer to question the deeper meaning and explore the possibilities. In my case I was not left pondering the finer details, rather I was baffled and frustrated by the mere tip of the iceberg we were introduced to. I was not left wondering whether it was all her imagination as she sought to escape the brutality of the real world - simply I was left wondering why?, what was the point of it all? In particular I would point to the scene with the frog, this seemed like a superficial exuberance which an over imaginative teenager penned in minutes - it felt like it didn't belong to any film let alone this one.
I also felt totally disconnected from every character. The captain is portrayed like a cartoonish super villain and we are left with no clear indication of his motivation. Each character seemed distant somehow, with the exception perhaps of Mercedes. For the most part I didn't become involved with their plight, I felt somehow as a dispassionate onlooker (which is unlike me when watching films of such despair).
Finally I would comment on the use of violence. When I feel it is necessary then I always happily accept violence depicted on screen, even if it is very graphic. However I feel most of the violence shown in this film is there to shock and produce a strong response from the viewer - not to benefit the depth of storyline. For the most part each violent scene seemed meaningless and unnecessary. I would agree that it's important to know quite how brutal the regime was, however I don't know if that was the writer's motivation when he wrote these scenes.
So, I have gone to town here in criticising this film and it may seem that I hated it. I certainly didn't hate it - I just didn't get much from it. There are plus points with an honourable mention for the powerful visual impact of the film. The cinematography is superb and the worlds (real and fantasy) are excellently brought to life, in a hauntingly disturbing way. Technically the filmmakers have excelled and I would also agree with other reviewers that the acting is solid and can't be faulted.
In summary I believe that this will be a wonderful experience for many viewers but I am not one of those who fully enjoyed it. For me it lacks depth, it is devoid of any clear message, it is baffling and often brutal without justification. It seemed like an ineffective Spanish civil war film coupled with an incomplete fantasy story. Yet, I will watch it again and reflect on it.