Pan's Labyrinth

Pros: A superlative film in many respects

Cons: Should not be construed as a children's tale simply because of lead actor

The Bottom Line: A most rewarding journey through a maze of situations.

Review: Even though she was nearly a teenager, Ofelia still loved to read books filled with fantasies geared toward younger children. The world of those fantasies, and the beings that inhabit that world, come to life for Ofelia in 1944 Spain in Pan's ...

Pros: Excellent well done tale.

Cons: May well be too dark and depressing for some.

The Bottom Line: A dark foreboding fairytale set against a dark foreboding real world.

Review: My son and I went to see Guillermo Del Toro's highly acclaimed Pan's Labyrinth this afternoon. I would sum it up as an incredibly dark fairy tale set against an even darker backdrop. Young Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) has to go with her pregnant ...

Pros: visually rich, interesting story, great social commentary

Cons: Its dark tone is not for everyone. This is art-house in disguise.

The Bottom Line: This is not mindless action and digital effects. It's a combination of history, mythology and social commentary.

Review: What you think of this film will depend on what you came to see. Walking out, at the end, I overheard a lot of geek muttering, including one exchange that equated this film with "The Chronicles of Narnia gone awry." Where I saw it, there were a lot of ...

Pros: Everything, especially direction and cinematography.

Cons: None.

The Bottom Line: is living happily ever after.

Review: Pan's Labyrinth has been advertised as the fantasy film of the decade; a visionary glimpse of another world which has never been seen. This may very well be true, but you must not be misled: most of the movie takes place in the real world. ...

Pros: Baguero, visually impressive, haunting

Cons: some very violent scenes

The Bottom Line: As alluring as it is abominable. A strange and excellent film.

Review: When Oscar time rolled around this year, as usual I found I'd seen few of the contenders, but I had a good feeling about Pan's Labyrinth, which my brother and I had hoped to catch the previous weekend. It came highly recommended by many, ...

Pros: Acting, story, visual design, special effects, blend of fairy tale and realism, subtle message, music

Cons: Could be far too gory for kids.

The Bottom Line: Mexico is having a surge of great, independent directors and their films. Here is one of the finest thriller/fantasy/dramas you'll see in a long while.

Review: The Spanish language Pan’s Labyrinth (El Laberinto del Fauno) is one of the best films of 2006, a fabulous and moving mixture of fairy tale, realistic historical drama, fantasy and thriller. I’ve also seen the word “horror” ...

Pros: Earthy and ethereal, this movie is haunting, heartwarming, and horrifying by turns.

Cons: This Faery Tale is not for kids.

The Bottom Line: This is the 61st movie on IMDB's top list.  It is beautiful, gripping and thought provoking.

Review: Pan's Labyrinth (2006)  Directed by Guillermo Del Toro. A long time ago, in the underground realm, where there are no lies or pain, there lived a Princess who dreamed of the human world. She dreamed of blue skies, soft breeze, and ...

Pros: del Toro's Directing/Script, Visual Effects, Look, Music, & Cast.

Cons: None, Though Might Be a Bit Violent for Children.

The Bottom Line: Pan's Labyrinth is a Majestic, Enchanting Masterpiece from Guillermo del Toro with Great Performances from Baquero, Lopez, Verdu, & Jones.

Review: With the recent acclaim and success of Babel by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Children of Men by Alfonso Cuaron, it's becoming clear that 2006 is the year of Mexico. Another director that's receiving acclaim and success from Mexico is ...

Pros: Excellent effects, filming and storyline

Cons: None

The Bottom Line: Highly recommended movie, with great special effects, integrates the fantasy world with the real world. A great directiorial accomplishment.

Review: Pan’s Labyrinth is a movie that has received a lot of attention and great critical acclaim since its 2006 release. It’s a fantasy movie, and therefore outside of my usual viewing genre. But such are the reviews that I had to check it out for ...

Pros: Read review

Cons: Read review

The Bottom Line: See Pan’s Labyrinth!         

Review: We all need to escape the bitter entrails of reality from time-to-time, which is one of the reasons we watch movies, read books, etc.  Children, with their whimsical natures, sense of adventure and need to explore, find more inventive ways to escape ...