Pan’s Labyrinth Review

Pan’s Labyrinth takes place in 1940’s rural Spain during the Franco revolution. The main character is a young girl who moves with her pregnant mother to join her new step father, a brutal military commander, at an outpost set up in a country mill. Along the way, she encounters a fairy that takes her to a fantasy world populated by grotesque creatures and a friendly fawn. The fawn informs her that she is the reincarnated princess of the fantasy world. She can regain her crown but must first complete three tasks to prove that her “essence” is intact.
Most of the movie is spent depicting the horrors of the real world and creates an interesting contrast. Writer/director Guillermo del Toro puts his special effects background to good use creating some amazing visuals. Conventional special effects were used for the most part with a few exceptions in the real world battle scenes. Interestingly, the crew was not permitted to use explosives, blanks, or squibs in the forest so all muzzle flash and bullet impacts were CGI (though I probably wouldn’t have noticed if I wasn’t looking for it).
You won’t recognize any of the cast but the acting was excellent. Reading subtitles can be a drag but, as Niki pointed out, “The parts are played so well that you could usually tell what was going on even without the subtitles.”
I highly recommend this film. Del Toro displays creativity and originality that is all too uncommon in mainstream movies today. If you don’t trust my judgment, listen to Stephen King who said “I think this extraordinary R-rated fairy tale for adults is the best fantasy film since The Wizard of Oz.”