Pan's Labyrinth is the latest film from Mexican horror director, Guillermo Del Toro. If you look at Del Toro's body of work, you'll see that there's a pattern (one which Del Toro himself has said to be intentional). Since his first film, Cronos, gained him access to the Hollywood system, each one of Del Toro's "Hollywood" films (Mimic, Blade II) is followed by one more artsy, inventive, and, often, more personal (Cronos, The Devil's Backbone); his last effort, Hellboy, actually falls under both catagories. Pan's Labyrinth falls under the latter.

Pan's Labyrinth is the story of Ofelia, a young girl obsessed with fairy tales, who is forced to move to a mill in the mountains of post-Civil War Spain with her sick mother and evil stepfather, Franco Vidal, a facist military captain intent of destroying the Communist rebels in the mountains. There, she finds a labyrinth in the forest, belonging to a faun (a two-legged centaur which appears to be a hybrid of flesh and tree) named Pan who tells her she is the long lost princess of a magical kingdom and that she must complete three tasks in order to regain her throne. Meanwhile, Ofelia befriends Mercedes, a servant girl who, along with the Ofelia's mother's doctor, are aiding the rebels in their battle against Vidal who serves as the ultimate monster of the film (as opposed to the giant toad and child-eating Pale Man, who also appear).

Pan's Labyrinth is essentially two films. One, a darke horror-fantasy, the other, an equally dark historical drama. The two stories intertwine seemlessly and compliment each other extremely well. The former captures more of the visual side of the film, which is extremely strong, featuring some very beautiful set pieces and some very ugly creatures, both of which are rich with imagination. The fantasy story is simple and upfront so as to compliment the reality part of the story, which is actually much harsher and complex. The latter is much more character driven and focuses on the ugliness of mankind. Both stories, however, ultimately reach the same conclusion in the end, bringing them together.

All in all, Pan's Labyrinth features just about everything thats a film good. On the one hand, it's an art film, character driven, and focused on human struggles and other heavy themes, while at the same time, it's pretty look at, loaded with some pretty nifty special effects, creative set pieces, some good old fashioned splatter, and ultimately, a strong imagination with some metaphorical overtones to justify its existence. However in its entirety, the film feels original in all of its aspects.

In short, a solid film. Very enjoyable to watch and one of a kind. They don't make a lot of films like this anymore. Check it out right away!

Watched the film last night. It is FANTASTIC. Loved it. A+++++

Man, I don't where I would be as a filmgoer if it wasn't for Don and Simply Scripts.  I'd probably be watching and enjoying crap such as Epic Move and Hannibal Rising.  But, alas, Don has a thing called taste and good judgement and he posts excellent screenplays to read such as this film.  

Last week I caught the film Smokin Aces after reading the screenplay on this site, and it was one of the best movies I had seen in a while.  That night, Don posted another screenplay up on his site for a foreign film called Pan's Labyrinth written by Guillermo del Torro.  I had heard about the film being nominated for an Acadamy Award for best screenplay so I decided to read it.  Unluckily for me the first draft he posted was in Spanish.  I probably understand about 10% of the Spanish language and reading the screenplay was a chore, but I got through it and was glad I read it.  It was so great that I wanted to see it right away.  Now I come to find out there is an English translation for the screenplay posted >_<  

Anyway, I saw it this morning and I must say I was most pleased with the film.

James has already depicted the characters and plot line very well so there is no need to repeat.  Everything about this film was perfect.  The characters, the plot lines, the conflicts, everything fit together perfectly.  Add in del Torro's masterful direction and special effects, and you have probably the best adult fairy tale ever made.

After seeing the film, something popped into my mind that I just couldn't stop thinking about.  It was great to finally  have an adult fairy tale to enjoy without having to be cheesified by Disney endings and archetypes, but rather a film that was both an escape AND a dose of reality.  I believe Ofelia, the main character, is each and everyone of us that has had some type of dream or fantasy they want to live, just to have it torn down by people who feel they are better than us.  Parents, teachers, coaches, etc.  But Ofelia didn't let that deter her from her journey and it was quite inspiring to see it  The whole film I was rooting for this cute girl to accomplish her task and to finally be taken seriously and surround herself with people and things that took her for what she BELIEVES and not for what they think she SHOULD be.

I also found it rather amusing and interesting as to why this film was being praised as one of the best films of all time, and another fantasy film that came out last year, Lady in the Water, was thought to be a disaster.  Back then I probably would have defended M. Night to the death, but after seeing this film, I just don't think M. Night Shyamalan knows what REAL fantasy is.  It's not just about mythical creatures and a plight to save some princess or royal decendant.  It's about projecting a fantasy for people to become immersed in.  Isn't it?  And that's exactly what Pan's Labyrinth does.  It lets you become a part of the action and the story for yourself.  

If only this film would have came out before Lady in the Water, maybe M. Night Shyamalan would have understood what a real fantasy film is supposed to be.

Guillermo del Torro is a brilliant filmmaker and this could quite possibly be his greatest creation ever.  I hope this film wins every single Acadamy Award it is nominated for, because nothing is on its level.  How this isn't awarded for Best Picture of the Year boggles me.  I hope the reason is becasue you can't have a Best Picture and a Best Foreign Film nomination for the same film.  If it isn't, well that is just a shame.  

**** out of **** stars  

Quoted from guyjackson Everything about this film was perfect.

Pretty much, yeah. 'Nuff said. Just watch it!

Just saw this movie last night, it was really good, I thought the whole spanish thing would irritate me but it was well done and after awhile you don't really notice it! You completely took the words from my mouth, I was about to write a review but you''ve basically covered everything I was going to say ha, anyways, good movie, definately worth going out to see!

I also saw this film recently. I had to travel 100 miles to see it through 4 feet of snow and barefoot!(The 100 miles part is true, I had to drive to Nashville!) But seriously, it was a great film. It transported me into an alternate reality and kept me there. I feel it was an amazing acheivement that deserves all the recognition it deserves and more.

--Kotton

I know there's a script review board, but I thought I'd put this here anyway. Feel free to move it.

Okay, I read this one today while working on a tan under the Florida sun. Let me just tell you that it was my kind of day. What a great time.

Last week or so, I read SIDEWAYS, sure it was enjoyable and a good read, but in my opinion it has nothing on Pan�s Labyrinth. Pan�s is the kind of story that you just curl up with and read straight through, oblivious to what goes on around you. Don�t believe me? When I was halfway through my husband came home and announced he�d just bought a Ninja 600 ZZR. I said �cool� and continued to read. That�s how immersed I was in this script.

Anyway, I have not seen this movie yet since it only played at an art house for about a week and then it was gone. I will definitely buy the DVD when it comes out.

The story telling was great and weaved the real world and the fantasy world together seamlessly.

The relationships between the characters were great and I really felt for Ofelia. Her relationship with her mother was nice and touching and even though Ofelia does not understand why she married the evil fascist military Captain Vidal, we the adults can understand. I felt the contempt he feels for Ofelia from when they first met and I hated him immediately.

Then there was Mercedes, the young rebel girl who befriends Ofelia. She works for Vidal, but at the same time against him and in the end tries to save Ofelia and her brother.

This story is a fairy tale a fantasy, but not one written for Disney or children that watch Disney movies. This one is for adults. It shows the real world ugliness of humans and mixes it with a fantasy world that feels real as well.

Don�t really know what else to say about this script other than I had a great time reading it and I look forward to seeing the film.

I like this movie, because it revealed the dictatorial period of  Franco,  but I saw that there was too much coexistence in Del Toro script (a ease way) situation in order to solve some problem that will let the characters into the very end. Why Mercedes did left Vida alive when he gets staked by her? Was it just in order to let him gone after Ofelia?

I lately join the thread. Pan's labyrith is one of the most fabulous movies I ever saw. Please, follow my advice: try to watch it by any means. You won't regret it.

Michel

It's one of my favorite films of all time, and for me to say that within 6 months of seeing it says something. Usually a movie has to age in the back of my mind and I have to rewatch it a couple of times to get a sense of what it is, but here its impact was instantaneous.

It's artistic but never self-indulgent. It's sensual but not gratuitous. It's a fairytale but not superficial.

It left me speechless and is definitely tenured in my all time top 5.

I love this movie. That's all.

I hated LADY IN THE WATER. I might've liked that one better w/o M. Night, though. He's an awful actor.