The Shape of Water; A Magical Wonder

Rating: 10/10 (18 March 2018)

This is my first review thanks for reading. I looked forward to seeing this film months before it came out. I saw it the day it came out. I won't give a synopsis, there are already plenty of them. Let me give my insight on why this film is such a magical wonder.
First, the story telling. Del Toro is known as the master story teller and with good reason. He can simply tell a great story. He is able to take history, apply fantasy emenents, and create a true wonder. Using the Cold War as the background for his story, Del Toro creates an amphibious man that is unable to speak but clearly has the ability and desire to communicate.
Also, the themes of racism and discrimination were present in this film. They were very subtle however and I did not feel like they were being forced down my throat like so many other movies do today. So many directors focus so much on those themes that it ditracts from the story. Del Toro created a story with those elements without the viewer losing focus of the incredible story that is happening.
The score was incredible. The acting incredible. There is a reason the academy selected this film for 13 oscars, and while only securing 4 of them it is still very clear to me why this is the best picture of 2017.