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Post by Dillson on Mar 22, 2007 23:47:56 GMT -5
Has anyone seen this film? It's without a doubt my film of 2006, hands down. From last year, only Children of Men comes anywhere near to comparing with this film.
For those that don't know, Pan's Labyrinth is the story of a girl with a very vivid imagination who buries herself in her fantasy world to get away with the gruelling, harsh realities of the Spanish Civil War, which is when the story is set. Being a fairytale about a girl lost in her own fantasia, it should provide lots of chances to throw every cliché in the (fantasy) book at the film. But it doesn't. Noo, no no, no. This is an original film with a capital O. The first striking thing about the film is the fact that the central theme can be interpreted entirely in your own way. The ending of the film likewise. Secondly, the film is rather violent and at times horrific. It is definately no Alice In Wonderland. The creatures that populate the fantasy world are by no means children's fairytale material. Instead that are quite unsettling; one in particular. People who have seen the film will know who I mean and in what scene.
Also, Captain Vidal is one nasty b***ard.
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FantasyLover
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Post by FantasyLover on Mar 23, 2007 0:02:16 GMT -5
My Review:
Being obsessed with Hollywood as we in American culture often are, there isn't much of a market for foreign films in our movie theaters. Very few of the wonderful films made outside the country ever get any major screenings, and those that do are very limited. Therefore, when a gem does make it past the status quo, it should be saying something. Pan's Labyrinth was able to make it big in America, and there's no shortage of reasons why. Simply put, they just don't make 'em like that in America.
Pan's Labyrinth is a hybrid film, meaning it combines two pretty different story lines into one. The first part of the film that we see is a fortress for Franco's fascist regime in 1940's Spain. They are trying to stop resisters who are using guerrilla warfare in a nearby jungle. Leading this force is Captain Vidal (Sergi Lopez), who has recently married Carmen (Ariadna Gil), a pregnant mother of one. She brings her daughter Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) with her to stay with the Captain, causing her health great harm during the travels. From the moment they meet, the Captain and Ofelia instantly grow to hate each other.
However, Ofelia is able to find escape from this terrible new world when she is met by a fairy, who leads her into a nearby labyrinth. There she encounters a faun named Pan (Doug Jones) who tells her that she is a lost princess who is finally returning, after many centuries of being away, to reclaim her throne. But in order to do so, she must first complete three tasks before the next full moon. Now Ofelia is torn between living a fantasy she has always dreamed of, and taking care of her mother and those she cares about from her evil stepfather.
First, I have to get something out of the way: this is a Spanish film. Director Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy, Blade II), being the master that he is, has made the entire film in Spanish. So if you can't stand reading subtitles, this won't be towards your liking. But if you're tired of the same nonsense that is continuously thrown out there by Hollywood, then this will be quite a refreshing experience for you. From start to finish, this is a shocking film, breaking all the traditions established by American film, providing a very real commentary on the dictatorship of that time.
The way del Toro is able to combine Ofelia’s world with the “real” world, a world filled with war, murder, and selfishness, is nothing short of cinematic genius. The parallels between the monsters Ofelia is fighting and the fascists will make anybody think. For instance, when she asks a giant toad if he is happy getting fat off bugs while the tree he lives in dies, the same could be asked of Vidal as he allows everybody around him to die. Likewise, Ofelia’s journeys reflect the emotions running through her mind as her mother continues to lose her health.
Pan’s Labyrinth could have very well survived as a war film, and if it wasn't for the breathtaking imagery, it might have become a highly-stylized version of something Oliver Stone may have very well created. However, the production design of the fantasy part of the story is greater than even the highest-budget films made in Hollywood. The sets look absolutely amazing, and the various creatures Ofelia encounters come to life in a very realistic way. Special mention should also be made of the make-up, especially a scene where a man stitches himself right on camera. I still can’t figure out how they did that.
However, the element of the movie that drives the story along is the music. Composer Javier Navarrete was brought in early in the production to compose a lullaby that Ofelia’s caretaker was to sing to her. This lullaby was turned into the main part of the score, and its presence adds a touch of suspense, darkness, and innocence in a simply bone-chilling fashion. It really is musical storytelling at its best, and gives Pan’s Labyrinth an extra bit of personality that makes this film a true classic.
Another one of the great benefits of watching a foreign film besides seeing a completely new way to make a film is being introduced to the great, undiscovered actors, and there are plenty in this film. Without a doubt, the standout performance comes from 12-year-old Ivana Baquero. Like everything else about this film, this isn’t the conventional character we’re used to in America. This girl doesn’t cry or scream at everything that’s not normal, because she’s already imagined everything. Baquero performs this level of toughness flawlessly, while still showing the childhood innocence needed for most of these scenes to work. Another superb performance came from Maribel Verdu, who played a cook at the fort who takes care of Ofelia. This character has a lot going on, and she handles it perfectly. Sergi Lopez play a somewhat-stereotypical, but still impressive villain, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him coming to Hollywood sometime soon. He’ll probably be the one that remains in your head after watching the movie.
Pan’s Labyrinth is the best film I’ve seen all year. However, it’s not for everybody. The violence will probably be too much for those with a weak stomach, and the ending is definitely something you wouldn’t expect. I have a feeling a good majority will not like it, as it doesn’t follow the rules set by Hollywood tradition. That being said, anybody looking for a cinematic masterpiece need not look for an American solution. There’s a whole other world of movies out there, and this one is only the tiniest scratch on the surface. But what an impact it makes.
10/10
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Mara
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Post by Mara on Mar 23, 2007 14:57:12 GMT -5
No, I haven't gotten a chance to yet, but I would definitely like to.
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Post by Dillson on Mar 23, 2007 15:33:33 GMT -5
No, I haven't gotten a chance to yet, but I would definitely like to. Yes, I definitely advise that you do. If you're tired of films full of clichés and Hollywoodisms then this will be a breath of fresh air. In Korea, they've released a special edition DVD in which the case models the book of Crossroads, and it has extra artwork in plus a replica of Ofelia's key as well as other bits and pieces. It's limited to just 5,000 copies. Oh how I'd love to get my hands on this edition.
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Mara
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Post by Mara on Mar 23, 2007 16:02:52 GMT -5
I know.. it's one of the few that when I saw the preview, I was like, I got to see that.
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xkamelx
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Post by xkamelx on Mar 23, 2007 21:41:11 GMT -5
I'm making every effort to see this movie. I think it looks absolutely fantastic, and have only heard great things about it from those who have seen it.
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Post by Dillson on Mar 23, 2007 21:46:32 GMT -5
I chatted to FL about this last night and it's criminal that Pan's Labyrinth isn't screened in more places. It certainly deserves to be. In the UK it developed a bit of a cult following in the early days and the word of mouth spread so that eventually it was screened at bigger mainstream cinemas. Otherwise you would have only been able to watch it at art houses or obscure hipster hangouts, which is where I first saw it.
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Post by blooagard on Mar 25, 2007 17:58:40 GMT -5
I haven't seen it yet.
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Mara
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Post by Mara on Mar 26, 2007 14:53:41 GMT -5
I chatted to FL about this last night and it's criminal that Pan's Labyrinth isn't screened in more places. It certainly deserves to be. In the UK it developed a bit of a cult following in the early days and the word of mouth spread so that eventually it was screened at bigger mainstream cinemas. Otherwise you would have only been able to watch it at art houses or obscure hipster hangouts, which is where I first saw it. Yeah.... If anything, it'll be easier to rent a DVD later.. than to try to find a theater.
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xkamelx
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Post by xkamelx on May 25, 2007 9:21:10 GMT -5
Netflix will be delivering this movie today when the mail comes, I'm looking forward to it.
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FantasyLover
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Post by FantasyLover on May 25, 2007 22:44:22 GMT -5
Make sure you watch it late in the day. It's better for the darkness, plus you won't have to spend too much of it in a bad mood.
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DurhamRed
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Post by DurhamRed on May 26, 2007 11:18:02 GMT -5
Its on SKY Box office so I might watch it sometime over the weekend ( if I remember my pin number ...lol)
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Post by Mystique Sorcerer on May 27, 2007 2:56:27 GMT -5
I have that movie, i bought it in China. I haven't watched it yet though, is it good?
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xkamelx
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Post by xkamelx on May 27, 2007 11:04:42 GMT -5
Make sure you watch it late in the day. It's better for the darkness, plus you won't have to spend too much of it in a bad mood. I'll be watching it tonight around midnight.
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FantasyLover
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Post by FantasyLover on May 27, 2007 11:38:08 GMT -5
You insomniac.
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