Pan’s Labyrinth (limited)
| release date | December 29 2006 |
| studio | Picturehouse/Warner Bros. |
| director | Guillermo del Toro |
| writer | Guillermo del Toro |
| starring | Ivana Baquero, Doug Jones, Sergi López, Ariadna Gil, Maribel Verdú, Álex Angulo, Roger Casamajor, Sebastián Haro, Mina Lira, Federico Luppi, Ivan Massagué, Chema Ruiz, Manolo Solo, Milo Taboada |
| site | panslabyrinth.com |
| trailer 1 | Trailer #1 |
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Sometimes I wonder if critics even notice anything except the cinematography. I mean, I think I could film someone pooping on a guinea pig, but if it were filmed with a beautiful camera the critics would love it. Because other than nice camerawork, this movie has nothing going for it. And I mean NOTHING.
First, I’ll start with the boring factor. This has to be one of the most boring movies on this site: no doubt at all. DO NOT think this is a fantasy movie like Lord of the Rings mixed with Saw-like violence. There are literally only 4 fantasy scenes, and each last maybe 10 minutes tops. The rest of the movie is nothing but boring conversation.
Secondly, I was told by countless people this movie was violent. And trust me when I say this: if you’ve played any T-rated video game, you’ve seen more violence in 5 minutes than there is in this entire movie put together. It did not even earn its R-rating, much less be considered a “hard R” as I was told. Also, the violence is NOT in the fantasy sequences, it’s in the war sequences . . . which made it seem like a toned down (but darker) Saving Private Ryan. And that’s not a good thing.
Third, the cliché factor. It is falsely called an “original” movie by critics. I’m sorry, but there is nothing to see here that you haven’t seen in PG-rated movies like The Chronicles of Narnia or E-rated games like Zelda. The ending was such a cliché I wanted to slam my fist into the TV because I was so disappointed.
So why do I give this movie a 5? Because as much as I hated the movie itself, I agree strongly with the idea behind it: fairytales are bloody, dark, and for adults as well as children. Guillermo Del Toro failed miserably with this movie, but with his ideology, his skill, and his memories of a traumatized past, I know in the future he can make something that is truly stellar.
But don’t expect this to be that movie. Try again, Guillermo.
Even though I really would not consider this a horror film, it was the best film of 06.
I really didn’t like this movie. It was entertaining somewhat, but mostly boring.
Amazing.
INCREDIBLE. wow. this is a fairytale and nothing more but it is great and keeps you guessing. the camera work and direction is great.
A
“Set during Franco’s mopping up exercise after the Spanish Civil War, Guillermo Del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth is a wonderful, dark fairy tale that, in a metaphor for Spain itself, teeters on the edge of nightmare dreamscapes of corruption, violence and the death of innocents.
This film is definitely not for young children. Although the fantasy sequences are gorgeously realised, and are fairy tales in the truest sense (in that they are dark, fey, dangerous and violent), most of the story (about three quarters of it, in fact) exists outside of the dreamland, in the even more frightening (and sometimes shockingly violent) world of a real life struggle of ideas and ideology.
Sergi Lopez is excellent as the brutal (and possibly sadistic) Falangist Captain tasked with routing out the remaining leftists from the woods and hills of Northern Spain. Into this precarious situation come his new wife (a widow of a former marriage, who is carrying his son) and his stepdaughter Ofelia (played to absolute perfection, by the then 11 year old, Ivana Baquero).
Uncomfortable with her new surroundings, suspicious of her stepfather and desperately concerned about the worsening condition of her mother, Ofelia uncovers a strange alternative world, and the chance to escape forever the pain and uncertainty of her everyday life.
Thus the film alternates between the world of Civil War Spain and the increasingly bizarre, dark and frightening world of the Pan’s Labyrinth. As the twin plots progress, they intertwine, with the tasks of Ofelia becoming the choices faced by a Spain at the crossroads. The poignancy of the film lies partly in the fact that the victories of the child are reflected so starkly by the failures of the adult world.
Apparently Pan’s Labyrinth won a 20-minute standing ovation at Cannes, when it was shown. This may be a little bit over the top. I suspect when the furore has died down some will choose to swing the pendulum back and criticise it for its more obvious faults. Much of the film is derivative. There are few ideas in the film’s magical dreamworld that haven’t been seen before. There are also few ideas in the film’s depiction of the Civil War that can’t be read in Satre or Orwell; can’t be viewed in Picasso’s Guernica; or can’t be watched in Land and Freedom.
For all the evident truth of these observations, to accept them would be to entirely miss the majesty of Pan’s Labyrinth, which doesn’t lie in its originality but its absolute mastery of execution. People will watch Pan’s Labyrinth in a way that most won’t watch Land and Freedom. In doing so, they will also discover a world of fairy tales which existed before Disney sunk its claws into them: a dangerous world, where nothing is as it seems and every step is a possible death – a place which may leave even adults shivering under the duvet, part in terror, part in wonder. And all this backed up by the finest cinematography I’ve seen.
… This is easily… a must see…” –j30bell ([email protected]), imdb.com
the only thing that stands out in this film for me was the creatures , the film shite the story shite and ending shite infact its shite . dont care how uncool it is not to like thisfilm its bollocks , the geezer with eyes in his hands coooooooool but thats it , if this makes me uncool then fuck it im uncool
Well directed, well acted, wonderfully visual film that ends up being a very good dramatic fantasy that i feel is way better than any of the lord of the rings films.
a realllly goooood drama and nice lil gore scene
This movie was a real work of art. It doesn’t have that much gore (except for a couple of violent parts), but that’s not what matters. The sheer amount of creativity that went into this is astounding.
Almost everybody you see will tell you that this is a great fantasy movie with stunning visuals… They’re wrong. This is a great war drama with little done to the visuals awkwardly mixed with a bad fantasy movie with great visuals.
It’s really sad to see what would have been an excellent movie about a girl having to cope living with an evil stepfather and losing her mother have about 15 minutes of unnecessary fantasy elements thrown in for…I don’t friggin’ know why.
Don’t get me wrong. Maybe the fantasy elements could have made a great movie. They are as visually appealing as you can get and the scene with the eyeless monster is creepy as hell. There’s just so little of this part of the movie that you really can’t tell. It really seems this should’ve been two movies or had the fairy tale parts cut out.
Whenever the satyr and his world are not involved this is a very engrossing movie. Somebody needs to let Del Toro know that he can make a great film that is also realistic. I’m too tired to finish this review (it’s not like I’m getting paid for it). Just watch the film. I give the war drama portions 5 skulls but the fantasy portion 2 skulls. So…3.5.
this movie is amazing………an amazing plie of garbage.
I dont know if i’d call this horror, more like fantasy. But one of the best films of the last 10 years for sure. HIGHLY RECCOMENDED!
One of my favorite movies of all time, and the ONLY movie to ever actually make me cry. Dark, beautiful, disturbing at times… Really, just perfect from start to finish, I don’t know what else to say!
This is one of my favorite movies and I cried also and I loved the story line of this movie…..I loved the look of this movie it was so creativly done…very dark not for younger children at all great for adults…I actually purchased this movie….I don;t usually buy that many movies this one is a keeper.
shot well, huge letdown otherwise ..sorry folks.
This movie is dark, beautifully shot, and just really awesome. even has a little gore, which I wasn’t really expecting.
Look, when I first saw the trailer, I thought it was a kids movie, but then I saw that it was rated R. This movie surprised the F$%k out of me, there was good amount of blood, a whole lot more than I expected. Great story, good acting, and cool creatures too. If u haven’t seen check it out, I’m pretty sure you won’t be disappointed.
Different is the only way I can describe this movie.. Very dark, and at times dragged out, but definetly a unique film. Subtitles weren’t so bad, but they are hard to follow when you watch some of the strange images on screen.. Definetly not for everyone, a good, albeit strange movie, that worked for me.
Not quite the twisted fairytale most people would expect, but an amazing feat all around despite the fact. A creepy visual spectacle that’ll no doubt leave you feeling SOMETHING, which in it of itself, is a task most films fail to do.
I was shocked tell ya, WHEN you see a little girl in a lead you think kittie movie… It isn’t at all and some of violent sceneS are absolutely brutal this movie wow’d me I couldn’t believe it… The story is luring, interesting and the visual effects are top notch… SEE IT AND LOVE ITs GREAT MOVIE for anyone…
them spaniards have that talent you know, shit this was just right out of a book passed down for granny it was magical, surreal, and a fucking weirdo world of trees and creatures and such.
excellent storytelling you’ll find here.
I didn’t know what to expect, I didn’t know if i’d like it and I did! I thought it was wonderful and quite creepy at times, a few brutal beatings and slashings! It’s amazing, unlike anything i’ve ever seen before!
Just plain out awesome.
my favorite fantasy movie.
Originality at its best.
The creatures are magnificent looking and the acting is top notch. definitely one of my favorite movies. You need to check this movie out immediately. skip the rental, just buy it because it is a guarantee that it will most likely be one of your favorite movies or even your favorite movie.
A fascinating work of art that pulls you from a grim war drama to a surreal world of fantasy. Both of these elements mix together amazingly.
A definite must see
great movie, absolutly phenomonal acting, the creature at the dinner table was very orignal.
i was going into this movie thinking is was going to be centered in the fantasy realm but instead we just get glimpses of it. the story is about her getting back into the realm which i didn;t like. I would have liked to see the movie that takes place after this movie.
Good movie
An amazing movie
one of the best movies of all time
Del Toro is the man!!!
so this is not scary but I liked the movie:)
An O.K horror movie, but a masterpiece in the fantasy genre.
Beautifully directed, excellently acted with some amazing set pieces. The story is absorbing and keeps you glued until the final frame. Just have the tissues ready.. Pan’s Labyrinth although a fantasy movie does give the viewer some genuinely visual and psychological scares. If you enjoyed this then check out The Devils Backbone, also directed by Guillermo del Toro.
This movie will forever and always be an amazing fantasy classic. If you haven’t watched it, you MUST do so.
This was one I watched the first time and didn’t really like it. But I’ve watched it many times since then, and hate past me for being such an idiot
. I love it, it’s so pretty, lovely story and great ending and everything.
Really not my thing but the story was quite good and well developed and it was a beautiful movie.
Great movie. Very well done. Well acted and great plot.
One of the best movies I have ever seen. A dark fantasy drama with amazing acting, heart-wrenching scenes of horror and brilliant direction from Guillermo del Toro.
this movie is absolutely beautiful! perfection! i won’t even see this movie again, because i want it to stay in my mind the first way that i saw it. nothing else to say except that, if for some reason you haven’t seen this, watch it. you will not be dissapointed.
Perfection!Everything was done right.Acting,plot,and awesome special effects!A must watch.(warning:subtitled)
Great story and visually stunning. Once again, Guillermo del Toro proves why he is one of the best.
I enjoyed the movie its a war drama mixed with dark fantasy. Very good effects and story.
I watch this flick regularly (mainly to show people who wouldn’t otherwise bother with it) and have got to say it’s without a doubt my favourite flick of the 2000′s.
It’s The Book Of Lost Things lite. It’s not as rewarding, and not as well thought out, tho the imagery is brilliant.
In the realm of mediocre movies this movie is a gem, spectacular, great story, well told, well directed, good acting, good effects, this movie makes it all good and much more. Absolutely unmissable.
This is a damn good movie. Spectacular. I only gave it 9 out of 10 because it is not as scary as I hoped (and this is a horror review site). But it has some memorable moments to say the least.
This is a graphic R-rated fantasy film… and it works.
It has some truly shocking moments and excellent special effects and character design.
Highl recommended.
Hobo Approved(TM)
Ok, THIS one I can understand being here on this site. It has horror elements that are a little disturbing. Overall, great flick. Not as much of the fantasy world as I had hoped, but still really impressive.
Beautifully shot as well as beautifully constructed a film that brings dark fantasy out of the childish state it has always been in. Acting while of a decent quality takes a back seat to a visually stunning world had the acting been slightly better we would have another horror movie with an Oscar. The tale is not that fresh, however the craftsmanship is and it leaves the audience with an ending that can be taken in multiple ways thus allowing you the viewer to enjoy the tale in your own way. Overall it is one of the greatest Dark Fantasy pieces to exist to date mind you that is slim picking at the best and anyone who delves into horror should definitely give it a view.
At first I didn’t like this film. I couldn’t really get into it and I didn’t see the big deal, but this could have been because I saw it with other people and they wouldn’t shut the hell up through the whole movie, just a little distracting. So I then watched it on my own, and I loved it! The imagery was beautiful and the story was awesome. The chick pissed me off though when she woke up that hand-eye monster thing, but whatever. Definately recommend this movie.
This was a good and amusing movie.