Pan's Labyrinth: movie review

Pan’s Gruesome yet Fantastic Labyrinth
By: Maeve Norton

You know a movie is good when you’re hands are covering your eyes, but you can’t seem to look away. Peering through my fingers I was fascinated by Pan’s Labyrinth, and almost inspired to purchase some chalk and draw little portals in my own room. The plot and visual effects engage the viewer, but at times they go too far. Though the movie is hands down outstanding, it was a bit too violent and gruesome for my taste.
When little Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) and her mother travel to live with her new father, Captain Vidal (Sergi Lopez I Ayats), they are suddenly sent into a whirlwind of the Spanish revolution and a new way of life. Ofelia’s mother, Carmen (Ariadna Gil), is very sick with the generous, nice and dynamic character Captain Vidal’s child. That was a joke. The captain is so very far from being a good person that you can’t help but hating him from the very start of the movie. His lack of compassion and ability to be utterly horrifying makes ones stomach turn and shutter at his actions. When Ofelia arrives at her new home, she is fascinated by a fairy who leads her into a mysterious Labyrinth. There, she meets a duplicitous faun (Doug Jones) who tells her that she is the princess of an underground world. But accepting her throne isn’t all that easy, she must complete 3 tasks to prove that she is not a mortal. Ofelia’s journey is both deeply saddening and frightening.
Pan’s Labyrinth, like other Guillermo del Toro films, tells the story of a young child and their struggles in life not only due to fantasy elements but dictatorial rule. The reality of how horrible the Spanish Revolution was aids to believing the fantastic elements in the story by telling a real story and adding to it. Doug Jones might not look like the scariest in person, but done up as the Faun or Pale Man I would not want to cross paths with him. His body language in both of these roles is amazing and he makes the character very believable. He really dedicates himself to the role and taking the act all the way. Baquero and Gil both play the sad little puppy role so well. And no, that is not an insult. They really make you sympathize for them in a way so tastefully done. But I’d have to say that Sergi Lopez I Ayats steals the show as Captain Vidal. His performance is strong, flawless and so static. All of the acting was spectacular, even in Spanish. Though I couldn’t speak a word of Spanish if my life depended on it, the script and plot were intriguing and easy to understand. Like many of Guillermo’s films, such as The Hobbit and Hellboy, the story line is so intriguing following along is not a problem. The plot was done so well, that I think all of the violence was not even necessary to add to the movie. If it were a bit toned down it would be right on, but at times the violence was just a bit too much.
Though the overall script and story are jaw-dropping, the visual effects will make your jaw pop out legs and walk away. The use of dark colors during most of the film is outstanding and complements the mood. The greens of the forest and housing are breathtakingly beautiful. Every single aspect of the underground world is done so wonderfully with great attention to details. The faun, pale man and fairies are done with such originality and authenticity that you will be astounded
Looking away is hard to do when watching Pan’s Labyrinth, though at some points it’s hard not to. Nevertheless, this movie is definitely worth the language barrier and shockingly gruesome scenes. The plot is wide spread but pulled together perfectly from horror, fantasy, to historical fiction. Even if you need to watch it with your eyeballs stuck into your hands, it’s a must see.