Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth

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. If you walk in expecting something Harry-Potter-esque, you may be sorely disappointed.

The story juggles two plots. In one, 9-year-old Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) enters a labyrinth and encounters a faun from the Underworld. He informs Ofelia that she is the reincarnated princess of his universe, and that if she completes a series of three tasks, she can gain reentry. Ofelia, being very fond of fairy tales, embraces this opportunity.

In the real world, things aren't so wonderful. Ofelia's pregnant mother Carmen (Ariadna Gil) has married the eeeeeeeeeeeeevil Capitan Vidal (Sergi Lopez), a military official in 1944 Spain (which was rather fascistic). The marriage was clearly done for security (and so that Vidal could have someone to bear a son), as Vidal is one cruel, nihilistic (insert random profanity here). Vidal is trying to eviscerate the insurgents around his base, but Mercedes (Maribel Verdu), his maid, is secretly assisting them. Much of the film centers on Mercedes and the rebels' struggle.

There have been very few criticisms levelled at this film, but those that exist all miss very important fact: this is a fairy tale. It's important for a movie like Children of Men to have deep characters, but fairy tales are practically built on ideals: there is the virtuous young hero, the enigmatic king's assistant, and the evil villain. Many of these characters' backgrounds aren't delved into because it's unnecessary for the genre. Some also complain that the film is too violent for children: this is true, but in case you hadn't noticed, Pan's Labyrinth is rated R. It is a fairy tale aimed at adults. It has no obligation to children.

If you can clear out those prejudices, you will find yourself absorbed by Pan's Labyrinth. Writer-director Guillermo del Toro's script is one of the most crucial elements: it attaches itself to reality while fulfilling every asset of the everyday fairy tale. We are simultaneously inside a child's fantastic mind and the real world's fractured warscape. None of the characters betray their personalities; the rebels are dedicated to their cause, and the villain is set upon having an heir-----they say the exact words which they are meant to say, and always convincingly.

The direction is also stellar-----there are plenty of horrific, graphic images in this film, and they all do their job. Contrariwise, there are also plenty of beautiful images, such as Ofelia's first meeting with Pan and her completion of the first task. Del Toro's way of framing the characters and the scenery keeps the viewer enraptured until the end.

Pan's Labyrinth earned a very rare 98/100 on Metacritic, and for good reason: it's incredibly difficult to find anything wrong with this film. The production is grand, and the assembly is superb, easily making this one of the best pictures of 2006.

Rating: A

Note: The film is spoken in Spanish. English subtitles are featured.