Pan's Labyrinth

Director del Toro reinforces his reputation as the leading magical realist of his generation.

Film Review by Colan Mehaffey | 12 Nov 2006
Film title: Pan's Labyrinth
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Ivana Baquero, Sergi Lopez, Ariadna Gil
Release date: Nov 24th
Certificate: 15

Following 'Hellboy', Guillermo del Toro makes another seamless transition from Hollywood blockbuster to art house fare with the astounding 'Pan's Labyrinth'. There's a clear echo of his previous European production, 2001's 'The Devil's Backbone', in this tale of young Ofelia (Baquero), who moves with her mother to rural Spain at the end of the Spanish Civil War. Bookish and isolated, she creates a fantasy realm which offers relief from a brutal reality.

Ofelia's stepfather, Captain Vidal (Lopez) is concerned only with crushing the last of the resistance with sickeningly sadistic methods, ignoring his ailing, and heavily pregnant, wife. An increasingly unhappy Ofelia discovers the faun Pan who promises a triumphant return to the underworld where she will reign with her father, upon the completion of three tasks. Del Toro moves between the concurrent storylines with ease, developing a narrative that draws together political and fantastical intrigue to an unforgettable conclusion.

Director del Toro here reinforces his reputation as the leading magical realist of his generation, not requiring the huge budget of his Hollywood output to create a convincing mythological realm. The relatively low-rent CGI is helped enormously by Guillermo Navarro's cinematography, bathing the respective worlds in colours which reflect the film's mood. The creatures of Ofelia's creation, however inventive, reinforce the political message; the creepy, child-eating Pale Man being preferable to the inhumane captain. 'Pan's Labyrinth' succeeds where many CGI laden Hollywood movies fail; it remains empathetic and intelligent without sacrificing escapism. [Colan Mehaffey]

http://www.panslabyrinth.com