Pan's Labyrinth (2 Disc Set) [2006] [DVD]

Sold through the medium of fantastical history (where the fantasy may or may not have been imagined), the director contrasts his view of south european fascism with the relative innocence of a young girl looking out for her sibling. For those who can handle the infrequent, but surprising brutality in some of the scenes, this film is definitely worth a watch. Not everything will be clear to the average viewer, but the rough realism of the characters and the strange wonder of the fairy-tale elements is an enticing combination that a mature audience will surely appreciate.All in all, a very good film. The only meaningful criticism is that whereas the execution is very well done, the themes are still somewhat familiar to a Greco-Christian audience.

Ofelia (Baquero) loves reading fairytales and during the 1944 Spanish war, she is asked by a faun to complete 3 tasks which will make her a princess.Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy) uses his visionary genius to bring a dark and dramatic fairytale to life in this Oscar winning picture. Filled with surprises, dramas and a dark twists upon fairytales, Pan's Labyrinth is both different and unique in its own genre and fills a viewer's watching requirements with stunning entertainment throughout. The general surprise of seeing a fairytale told in such a dark and dramatic way is what makes the film so appealing. How many fairytales are realistic? How many are dark and reflect the true nature of their time? All run on the same format and offer no new thrills, but Pan's Labyrinth is unique and brilliant in achieving that diverse effect. Toro's direction, plot and the costume design all come together superbly to achieve a dark and dismal reflection on Ofelia's life, and believe the plaudits, because this is one of the finest and imaginative films you will ever see. Toro is lining up to become the next Tim Burton with the use of dark materials and gothic imagery. The writing is equally impressive with plenty of twists and turns and a strong focus upon each character's personal issues. There was slight confusion regarding the beginning in relation to the ending on the first watch, but it is well worth watching again. The plot is driven by fantasy and escapism, with Ofelia desperate to escape the war and set things right. Baquero is excellent as central character Ofelia and will set your hearts racing with a brilliant young performance. Each character is interesting, from the stubborn and violent Captain Vidal to the silent and professional Mercedes, the film portrays realism through the realistic characters and their lives. The writing and dialogue keeps the audience hooked as Toro delivers twist after twist in a highly dramatic plot.The use of fantasy was a necessity and was pulled off tremendously well, through the use of unbelievable creatures. From a gigantic frog to a blind hellish creature, Toro gives viewers a variety and an image that will be cemented into anyone's memory forever after watching. The settings help achieve the graphic and dark imagination behind the creatures, none more so than the labyrinth. Pan's Labyrinth simply achieves everything that a good film should need to, great direction, plot and characters.9/10

50-odd reviews but I still feel compelled to write. Del Toro has a panache for creating deeply-coloured, rich, highly saturated cinema which, when viewed on a decent TV (with decent surround) is always a pleasure to watch. It was with this in mind that I was determined to get "Pan's Labyrinth" as soon as it was released.Expecting a whimsical but dark film - a young girl's perspective on the Civil War and her flights of fantasy which are an attempt to escape it - I have to confess, I was shocked within the first ten minutes. Make no mistake, this is a brutal and unflinching look at the horrors of the era in which it is set and the fantasy elements are an allegorical appendage rather than a driving force. It is, therefore, easy to see why some reviewers on here have posted less than sympathetic comments. They, like myself, were probably expecting something more "fantastic" and far less "real".Nontheless, recover from the brutality of the opening ten to fifteen minutes, realise that what you are watching is more of a war film than a fantasy, and what you have is another classic from Del Toro. Yes, some have argued that there are better English-speaking war films out there but this is distinctly different. The quests undertaken by the protagonist are delivered with the same amount of tension as the rest of the narrative and while some may find this faeirie-tale symbolism a little too facile set against the openly gruesome realities of the "quests" of the freedom-fighters, I can't help but feel that said critics are missing the point. The protagonist, after all, has no control over her surroundings and her flights of fancy - entering a dark and cruel world which mirrors the one she is already in - allow her to ape the actions of the purposeful, secretive and daring Mercedes, whom she admires so greatly.I have to confess, like many others, to having mixed feelings about "Pan's Labyrinth" overall. No, it is not the whimsical but dark fantasy I was expecting. Yes, it is a hauntingly beautiful film which has all of Del Toro's familiar trademarks. Ultimately I felt compelled to write in order to warn those parents who feel that BBFC ratings are there to be ignored and that this is somehow a "family" film. It most emphatically is NOT. One micro-review I recently read (in a popular magazine) described it as "enchanting". It is, perhaps, this kind of lazy journalism that has led so many reviewers to write that they were disappointed with it. Some would also argue, however, that the marketing also over-emphasised the "fantasy" element. This is a shame - anyone who wants to watch this film should be allowed to do so fully aware that it is a film about cruelty, brutality and bravery in the face of adversity. It is up to you to decide just how much the fantasy imagery adds to that. I feel second and third viewings will help to persuade the nay-sayers.

I love the movie but I love being able to watch the bonus features even more!

Buena Calydad de esta obra premiada Amazon

A garder dans votre vidéothèque ! Une valeur sûre !E.T.

Fantastiskt bra film, bättre än väntat :)

唯一無二の映像美で見せてくれる、とても良質な物語です。ですが、デルトロ監督特有の、ダークでグロな作風が、ちょっと苦手な人もいるかもです。　シェイプオブウォーターでも、自分はそれでちょっとダメでした。人を選ぶ作品ですが、映画好きなら、見ておくべき作品だと思います。