Movie Review: Pan's Labyrinth

Pan's Labyrinth: Dark Fantasy
by: Melissa Lanouette

The mistake many filmgoers made with “Pan’s Labyrinth” was going in thinking it was a fairy tale, in the modern sense of the word. Today’s fairy tales are sweet stories that urge children to pursue their dreams. The ancient fairy tales that “Pan’s Labyrinth” evokes are darker stories, stories where happily ever after isn’t a guarantee.
For the most part, “Pan’s Labyrinth” has nothing to do with the fantastical elements shown the advertisements. It is instead a bleak story about the Spanish Civil War, shown through the eyes of a little girl. Ofelia, played by 12-year-old Spanish Actress Ivana Baguero, is played as both innocent and mature, fully grasping the horrifying reality she lives in but choosing instead the dark fantasy of the Faun. Ofelia moves with her delicate, pregnant mother to an old mill where her new, cruel stepfather awaits them. Like any good fairy tale, her stepfather is evil, but in a real, human way that makes his character more understandable and intensely more frightening. Obsessed with rooting out resistance fighters in the hills, Ofelia’s stepfather commits acts of terror on screen that will make even the most steadfast viewer flinch away. When Ofelia leaves behind her grim reality to seek out the Faun, it is not only a relief to her psyche; it’s a relief to the viewers.

Guillermo Del Toro, recently returned from big Hollywood movies like “Blade 2” and “Hellboy” returns to his roots in this Spanish language fantasy. His former experience directing horror and superhero movies shows through in both the real and fantastic elements. The international cast is so superb that the film would be as easily understandable without subtitles. Apart from Ivana Baguero’s amazing Ofelia, Maribel Verdu turns in a striking performance as a sympathizer with both the rebels and the lonely main character.

Whether you go rent it to marvel at the amazing creatures, such as the suspicious Faun or the incredibly frightening Pale Man, or to watch a creative and unique film, definitely don’t miss “Pan’s Labyrinth”. Just don’t expect a happy ending for this fairy tale.