Pan's Labyrinth

Everyone told me I must see this movie, and finally I did. Opinion? Yes, it was entertaining, it was nice… Refreshing as a reminisce of gritty Grimm's tales are.

Original? I must disagree with everyone here. No. I just saw a combination of Clive Barker’s creation and Silent Hill mixed up with classic fantasy. The cross of the aftermath of war, the Spain rebels, the cruel captain with the fantastic realms that triggered young Ofelia’s adventures was clever, although not a personal favorite for me as I hate to have war reminisce from the fascist era… perhaps thanks to the Wonder Woman tv series, and too many military oriented mini series and movies… ( I was surprised I really liked V for Vendetta, I usually despise gov-military themes in movies).

Anyway… The concept of the praying mantis inspiring the faerie theme… Yes, they do look like faeries in flight… And that concept is quite old... I just hate bugs. But I will go with the flow… Pan was lovely. His demeanor was evil, his cleverness fearsome, and in the end he was a good guy… A very neutral guy, as a matter of fact... as fickle as Nature. Well, Duh! He is Nature impersonated, literally... The mandrake scenes were touching, especially when it get tossed in the fire. . Hated the powerlessness of the girl’s mom, but that is exactly what went on in that era… and even now… Women that think they cannot go on in life without a man… and then that man turns into their executioner and their kids bane.

All in all, a well thought- well written tale of fantastic realism that is very in your face with gritty events and that has its moments (loved the flesh golem). Del Toro revisits the aftermath of war, giving it a new spin somewhat different from his Devil's Backbone ghost story... Pan's Labyrith turns darker, deeper into the psyche of war's outcome... A lovely piece worthy of being bought and kept in your home's personal collection.

I should note that the actor playing Pan and the pale man (the flesh golem), Doug Jomes has appeared in many films… He was the humanoid cockroach in Mimic, the aquatic Abe Sapiem in Hellboy, Lady in the Water, the Time Machine, Men in Black 2, and on tv series as Buffy Vampire Slayer, CSI, Tales from the Crypt and The Guardian.