Pan's Labyrinth
You might not guess it from the rather misleading theatrical trailers and television ads, but at times the Spanish-language hit "Pan's Labyrinth" is as much a horror movie as a fantasy.Despite similarities in concept and theme, it's not much like the PG-rated blockbuster "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." In fact, this R-rated feature is definitely not for children, as it features some of the most bizarre and possibly disturbing imagery in quite some time.
On the other hand, it's also surprisingly magical and imaginative. You just have to prepare yourself for some of the film's harsher moments, because there really is nothing else out there quite like this cinematic event.
The story takes place just after the end of the Spanish Civil War. Ivana Baquero stars as Ofelia, a young girl with a vivid imagination.
As it turns out, she has a good reason for trying to escape into a fantasy world. Her widowed mother, Carmen (Ariadna Gil), has recently married the cruel Capitan Vidal (Sergi Lopez). And he's forced the two to live in his mountain retreat.
With members of a rebel army nearby, Ofelia is supposed to stay in the compound. But she wanders off and finds a mysterious portal — guarded by a faunlike creature named Pan (Doug Jones), who believes the girl may be a long-lost princess.
Like those other films, this one has mind-blowing visuals that employ many "organic" effects (del Toro prefers to use makeup prosthetics and other devices, eschewing computer graphics).
He also makes good use of the talented physical performer Jones, who plays both the creepy Pan, as well as the more horrifying Pale Man.
And the fresh-faced Baquero is very assured in a role that's demanding both physically and emotionally. She more than holds her own against Spanish superstars Gil ("Belle Epoque") and Lopez ("Dirty Pretty Things").
"Pan's Labyrinth" is rated R for strong war violence (shootings, stabbings and explosive mayhem) and other violent imagery, occasional crude references and suggestive language (including scattered profanity), some graphic gore, drug content (various pharmaceuticals and hypodermic use), and a scene of torture and interrogation. Running time: 112 minutes.
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