Tuesday, February 19

Movie Review: Pan Labyrinth

Length: 1 hour & 55 mins
Released: 2006
Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Horror
Rating: R - graphic violence & bloody language
Directed By: Guillermo del Toro
Where I Got It: watched with boyfriend (his movie)


SUMMARY:

"This haunting fantasy-drama set in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War and detailing the strange journeys of an imaginative young girl who may be the mythical princess of an underground kingdom. Her mother, Carmen, recently remarried to sadistic army captain Vidal and soon to bear the cruel military man's child, shy young Ofelia is forced to entertain herself as her recently-formed family settles into their new home nestled deep in the Spanish countryside. As Ofelia's bed-ridden mother lies immobilized in anticipation of her forthcoming child and her high-ranking stepfather remains determined to fulfill the orders of General Francisco Franco to crush a nearby guerilla uprising, the young girl soon ventures into an elaborate stone labyrinth presided over by the mythical faun Pan. Convinced by Pan that she is the lost princess of legend and that in order to return to her underground home she must complete a trio of life-threatening tasks, Ofelia sets out to reclaim her kingdom and return to her grieving father as Vidal's housekeeper Mercedes and doctor plot secretly on the surface to keep the revolution alive"

TRAILER: 




CAST:
Carmen - Ariadna Gil
Ofelia - Ivana Baquero
Videl - Sergi Lopez
Mercedes - Maribel Verdu
Pan/Pale Man - Doug Jones
Doctor - Alex Angulo
Garces - Manolo Solo
Serrano - Cesar Vea
Pedro - Roger Casamaior

REVIEW:
Boyfriend said I would really like this movie being a "history nerd" and all. Also its a thought provoking movie, which is a bonus always. First of all...he was right. I did like this movie. ^.^

There was so many things going on at once during this movie. The poor rebels trying to fight against Pedro and his "sadistic" ways, Pedro and his wife struggling with her being sickly and about to give birth, and then Ofelia's fantasy world which has its own drama unfolding. I loved how well everything blended into each other and how well things played off each other. 

I loved the costumes and it seemed very authentic. I also must extend some kuddos to the screen writers for it was some good writing. The dialogue was excellent and the acting added to it. Even the little actress who played Ofelia did wonderful (you know child actors tend to be cheesy sometimes). We had to read the subtitles, because the dialogue was in Spanish, but that was okay...it seemed to be better in Spanish and it added to the feel of the movie. 

Even though this was a really good movie, it was really sad. :/ I teared up a couple times throughout the film. Along with that...I hated the ending. I can't say much without ruining it, but it was rather sad and it made me mad. Stupid ending >.>. I see the symbolism behind it, but still I was not happy. Don't get me wrong it wasn't a BAD ending or anything, but it upset me and mad me cry. Oh well, I guess. But it did lead to a good conversation and debate on whether or not Ofelia's "fantasy" was a fantasy or not. Was her world real or was it just the imagination of a lonely child in a dark world. Personally...I think it was real in a way. I'll have to re-watch it and look deeper into it.

In the end, this was a good movie. It's also a good date movie *wink wink*. It was a sad movie, but it was good and thought provoking. The acting, the screenwriting, the costumes, and the plot was amazing. Make sure to watch it in its native language with subtitles, for it seemed to add to the movie. Overall I shall stamp this with 5 stars.

Favorite Character(s): Ofelia, Doctor, & Mercedes
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Videl (evil man), Pan, & Pale Man (*shudders*)


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<3CaroleRae

3 comments:

Blodeuedd said...

I cried while watching this one *sniff* :(

Carole Rae said...

Oooooh I know! Such a sad movie. *sniffs*

Melissa (My World...in words and pages) said...

I've never seen it. Hmm, might have to add to the list. :) Thank you.