Pan's Labyrinth is a landmark film from the creative mind of film maker Guillermo del Toro. It is a unique melding of a war film and a fantasy film, two genres that do not usually go together, but here become a masterpiece of film making.
This 2006 Mexican Spanish language film is a fairy tale for grown-ups. It is about a little girl and her pregnant mother who go live with her step-father, a captain in the Spanish army. His troops fight a small resistance army that still remains after the Spanish Civil War. The little girl Ofilia, explores a garden labyrinth where she encounters a faun who tells her she is a long lost princess who must accomplish three tasks in order to return to her kingdom. As Ofilia slips in and out of this fantasy world the ravages of war take place all around her.
Pan's Labyrinth works on so many levels that it transforms itself as you watch it. From heartfelt drama to cold sadistic war film. From terrifying fantasy to thrilling espionage the movie unfolds itself and you can't avert your eyes even at the most terrifying or gruesome moments.
Released in 2006 Pan's Labyrinth as already made it's way on to a number of best ever film list. The Blu-ray transfer is stunning and belongs in any collection.
At the Movie House rating **** stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment