Issue 151

Review on Pan's Labyrinth

29th January 2007

Pan's Labyrinth sees Guillermo Del Toro reach a pinnacle in his filmic style of mixing fantasy and reality, utilizing his obligatory fantasy characters with his strength of storytelling, all alongside strong, developed and intricate characters. Set in Spain, during the years following Franco's victory in the civil war, the film follows Ofelia, a young girl forced to move with her mother to a military camp, under the captain whose baby she is carrying, and whose increasingly sadistic nature provides some truly shocking moments of violence. When Ofelia is led into a nearby labyrinth by a metamorphosing fairy, she meets Pan, played by Hellboy star Doug Jones, a faun who tells Ofelia that she is the long-lost princess from his realm, and who is destined to return there to take her place alongside her father on the royal throne.

Del Toro's great skill for storytelling then comes to the foray, as the film tilts seamlessly between the stark reality of Vidal and his men's ongoing battle with a small group of guerilla Republicans, and the tyrannical manner in which he controls his base, and the fantastical and magical world of fauns and fairies into which Ofelia has found herself thrown, as she has to complete a series of tasks to prove her worth as a princess.

The story is a beautiful one, and Ofelia's remarkably spunky and undaunted progression through the tasks presents a wonderful juxtaposition to the real-life goings on, creating a film that casts an intensely gripping spell, roller coasting the audience from child-like awe and wonder to look-away wincing and cringing in equal measure.

Uncharacteristically for so many fantasy films gone by, the characters here are deep and involving, with the entire cast delivering strong and involving performances, particularly Ivana Baquero as Ofelia, who brings significant weight to the role for such a young age. The character of Vidal also, is not merely present as a two dimensional bad guy, but instead given an intensely patriarchal and dominating role as a result of a dead father, the psychological workings of the character given a significant airing.

The CGI effects on the faun and other supernatural characters are also marvellous, adding to the wonderfully layered tapestry of the film. Make no mistake, this is an entirely adult film, and not at all suitable for children. Those who think they are too mature for fantasy films would do well to reconsider, as they would be missing out on one of the best films of the year. It should be said, to avoid surprises later that this film was made in Spanish, and therefore appears in subtitles. Only the foolish would let this prevent the chance to witness a truly captivating and engrossing adult fairy tale, one that everybody should see.

Unfortunately, as is so often the case with foreign language and, dare we say, quality films, Pan's Labyrinth is on limited release nationwide, but if and when you get the chance to see it, do not pass it up.

Matt Ray