Pan’s labrynth-A fantasty for adults

The reviews for this film has been great across the board.  And my opinion does not stray from the board.  It is an amazing film directed by Guilermo del Toro who also directed Hell Boy and is going to direct the new Lord of the Ring movie.  Guilermo del Toro is very capable director and his talent is shown throughout the movie.  This is by far the best movie done by the guilermo del Toro.

The plot revolves around a girl in 1944 facist Spain. The girl and the pregnant mother travels to live with the new stepfather who is a captain in Spanish army.  The girl alternates between reality and fantasy world where she has to survive three tasks in order to prove that she is true princess.  The plot sounds like a children's fantasy.  However, this is dark fantasy that probably shouldn't be seen by young children as there is dark themes surrounded by dark violence.  For adults, it is not only a great movie but a great fantasy movie.  How many great fantasy movies are made for adults?

The main casts Sergi Lopez and Maribel Verdu does great job in the movie.  As a foreign film, these actors do not have high profiles iin the state side.  However, after this movie they should be familiar to great many viewers.  Lopez does great job portraying the rutheless and yet sympathetic captain.  Verdu does an incredible job portraying Mercedes, close friend of Ofelia.  And Ivana Baquero does an incrdbile job as the main character Ofelia.

The contrasting setting of civil war and fairy tale setting does an excellent job in interweaving the story line.  There is no disbelief when the setting is switched to fairy tale setting.  It feels natural and realistic.  The unique blend of fantasy and reality is very compelling.  It is an simple plot yet told in simple manner. Yet the mixture of fantasy and reality provides layers of complexity. The plot itself is not overly intricate and most viewers should be able to predict the ending.

The film shines in its execution and story telling.  The one downside maybe that it is pretty violent and it has subtitle.  This may limit the exposure which is shame.  Don't let subtitle disuade  you from viewing this terrific film.

What do you think about this movie? Please leave your thoughts below.

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