Technically perfect; Weak script

Rating: 7/10 (18 January 2018)

I'm not really a fan of Del Toro's style and movies but I decided to see this anyway because of all the awards buzz and because the trailer was very effective.
The first half of the movie does a very good job at introducing the characters and their world. The camera flows so beautifully from one action and place to the other that we get the sense of a world that is filled with life.
We're also introduced to the villain, whom we know is obviously the villain the moment he appears on-screen. We even get a scene of him at his house with his family, which I initially assumed was to make him seem more human and rounded character. So far so good.
The second half of the movie, after they get the fish man out of the lab and to Elisa's house, was where the movie went downhill for me. The dialogue from the bad guys starts making no sense and sounding awkward (no one says things like that in the real world!), some scenes seem to be establishing subplots that go nowhere or add nothing to the plot, like when the villain buys a new car or when Elisa is creepily harrassed by the villain, implying that he's sexually attracted to her ( this is especially significant after the gratuitous scene of him having sex with his wife and telling her to be quiet).
My main problem with this film, was the villain. He was such a mean and disgusting character to everyone else and during the last few minutes, he became so cartoonishly evil that it was hard to take him seriously.
How the hell did he know exactly where Elisa lived? How come no one even dared question him, stand up to him or not give him what he wanted? (Zelda's husband for example). The whole scene of him breaking into Zelda's home and threatening her was ridiculous, with his stupid dialogues and how he broke his fingers and threw them on the floor.
The random musical number was so silly and awkward, I wasn't sure if to take it seriously or as a parody. It reminded me of the scene in "Young Frankenstein" when the doctor tap dances with the monster.
I give it a 7 for it's technical achievements, as Direction, Cinematography, Production Design, Music and Acting were all excellent. Unfortunately, the script was the weakest part of this movie.