A true fairly tale for the ages.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Guillermo del Toro has a way with films, albeit a very creepy way. Anyone who has seen his previous work(Hellboy in particular comes to mind) will understand his tendency for over the top and very bizzare stylings, and Pan's Labyrinth is no exception from his mold.
The story telling here is top notch, following a young girl who finds out she may the princess of a mystical kingdom. There's a catch, though, as her mother has just married a sadistic and violent Captain for the Spanish military during the Spanish Civil War in 1944. As the fantasy world she may be entitled to and the real world begin to clash, things start to get out of hand. The film draws some references from classic fairy tales by the brothers Grimm, and even from early Greek mythology. The "you must complete three tasks to prove your worth' story screams the tale of Hercules, but not in a blantant theft type of way.
The film is told more through setting, be it weather, lighting, or just constant symbolism. Circles play a big role in this film as far as being symbolic(potatoes, the full moon, ect.). Rain is also a big part of the film in a way, as it seems like it's never sunny when something big is about to happen.
Because del Toro likes to tell a story through visuals there's not exactly what amny would consider a lot of dialouge. There's talking to advance the plot and get names mentioned, but there's a good amount of scenes where not a word is uttered and yet you still know exactly what's going on.
The set design for the labyrinth, and the many magical places that our young princess visit is simply amazing. Dark and light hues mix perfectly, and architecture sends a clear message.
A great film worth seeing a few times, provided you don't mind having to read the sub-titles. A suggestion for anyone who enjoys del Toro's work.