Like most others, I entered without reading reviews but was shockingly surprised

Rating: 9/10 (25 May 2018)

I had been hearing the hype about this film since it first appeared in headlines. I wanted to see it in theaters (seeing "Pan's Labyrinth" in theaters was one of my facorite movie going experiences)
I've learned from years of IMDBing to set my standards low, even for the most acclaimed films. That being said, "The Shape Of Water" is a divine piece of film-making.
Did it NEED to be made? Not exactly. But not all movies need to speak exclusively to what society "needs" at the time.
In terms of acting, direction, cinematography, pace, and the ability to transport you - "Shape" succeeds.
I presume that many of the negative reviews on here are reflective of this journey - You may not like what you see when you get there - I loved it.
This is an epic fairytale told from one of the character's perspectives. The trajectory of the story is meaningful and kept me engaged.
The story is very interesting and original; littered with Cold War paranoia, Space race science fiction, and just the right amount (a lot) of heart.
In my opinion, if you enjoy the art many films have been lacking, you will enjoy "The Shape Of Water".
It is not brainless, overtly full of action sequences, fast, or conclusive.
It is, however, genuine to itself - a spectacle of the director's imagination that places importance on the values of humanity. 9 out of 10 stars.