Pan's Labyrinth

[Arvandor]

I've just seen it. This is a really well-made film.

And it has one of the saddest endings I have ever seen, ever. It took every trace of willpower I had not to start audibly sobbing. I was definitely tearing up. Even now I can't let myself dwell on that ending, or else I'm going to start crying again.

Really well made. Great film.

[Ryan Day]

I saw it at the Toronto Film Festival and absolutely loved it. It got a standing ovation at the end (both Del Toro and the young actress were there), as well as a round of applause and cheers when Mercedes takes down the Captain, which is probably one of the most cathartic and satisfying moments I've ever seen in a film.

A gorgeous movie, and really quite terrifying at times. And an incredible ending.

[Mike Pothier]

I just saw this film late last night. Wow. This is an incredible movie. I was near tears at the end. What imagination.

[Jonah Weiland]

Saw this on Friday and have to agree with everyone's comments, especially Ryan's comment about a very cathartic moment in the theater. It was a packed crowd at the Arclight in Hollywood, who watched the film very quietly and respectively with rapt attention. When that scene came up, the theater -- made up mostly of 30+ viewers -- cheered wildly! Sure, I've been in wild theaters before, but this moment felt like everyone was reacting on precisely
the same level.

The movie is gorgeous to behold. The design of the Faun is amazing. The costume design for the film deserves an Oscar nomination. The acting by Ariadna Gil (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0317725/) (carmen), Ivana Baquero (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1419440/) (Ofelia) and especially Sergi López (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0530365/) (Capitán Vidal) is top notch and also deserves recognition.

I didn't know much about the film going in, outside of a report we posted on CBR and viewing the trailer, and found myself pleasantly surprised. I was told it was primarily a fantasy film, which it is not. While it does contain fantasy elements, it's an adult fairy tale set against a very real backdrop, which really helps ground the film for theater goers. It helps pull off the improbable aspects of the story in a fashion that isn't accomplished in most fantasy films.

What a great movie. The reviews at Rotten Tomatoes are out of this world.

[tricksterpup]

Saw this on Friday and have to agree with everyone's comments, especially Ryan's comment about a very cathartic moment in the theater. It was a packed crowd at the Arclight in Hollywood, who watched the film very quietly and respectively with rapt attention. When that scene came up, the theater -- made up mostly of 30+ viewers -- cheered wildly! Sure, I've been in wild theaters before, but this moment felt like everyone was reacting on precisely
the same level.

The movie is gorgeous to behold. The design of the Faun is amazing. The costume design for the film deserves an Oscar nomination. The acting by Ariadna Gil (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0317725/) (carmen), Ivana Baquero (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1419440/) (Ofelia) and especially Sergi López (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0530365/) (Capitán Vidal) is top notch and also deserves recognition.

I didn't know much about the film going in, outside of a report we posted on CBR and viewing the trailer, and found myself pleasantly surprised. I was told it was primarily a fantasy film, which it is not. While it does contain fantasy elements, it's an adult fairy tale set against a very real backdrop, which really helps ground the film for theater goers. It helps pull off the improbable aspects of the story in a fashion that isn't accomplished in most fantasy films.

What a great movie. The reviews at Rotten Tomatoes are out of this world.
Jonah,
If you like this movie, try to rent Del Toro's the The Devil's Backbone aka El Espinazo del Diablo.

I do not know the plot of Pan's Labyrinth and I do not want to. :)
But here is a summery of the Devil's Backbone, one of the best foreign films you will ever see.

It is 1939, the end of three years of bloody civil war in Spain, and General Franco's right-wing Nationalists are poised to defeat the left-wing Republican forces. A ten-year-old boy named Carlos (Fernando Tielve), the son of a fallen Republican war hero, is left by his tutor in an orphanage in the middle of nowhere. The orphanage is run by a curt but considerate headmistress named Carmen (Marisa Paredes) and a kindly Professor Casares, both of whom are sympathetic to the doomed Republican cause. Despite their concern for him, and his gradual triumph over the usual schoolhouse bully, Carlos never feels completely comfortable in his new environment. First of all, there was that initial encounter with the orphanage's nasty caretaker, Jacinto, who reacts even more violently when anyone is caught looking around a particular storage room the one with the deep well. Second, and more inexplicable, is the presence of a ghost, one of the former occupants of the orphanage named Santi. Not long after Carlos' arrival, Santi latches onto Carlos, badgering him incessantly at night and gloomily intoning, "Many of you will die." As if that wasn't enough to keep the orphanage's occupants in an unrelenting state of terror, there's the un-exploded bomb that dominates the orphanage's courtyard, still ticking away; With the orphanage left defenseless by its isolation, and the swift progression of Franco's troops, the ghost's prediction seems depressingly accurate. Nevertheless, with every step of the plot, it becomes apparent that the ghost's predictions as to who (or what) will die, the real source of danger and even the definition of death itself may be more ambiguous than first thought.

[Serik]

ahhhh so this is the "Labyrinth" I've heard so much about. For awhile I thought David Bowie was re-releasing the original Labyrinth :D

[Headhunter]

Based on the trailer, it seems somewhat similar to Neil Gaiman and Dave McKeon's MirrorMask. Is that an apt comparison?

[Mike Pothier]

Somewhat. The story very much reminded me of Gaiman's work. Only, Mirrormask spent most of its time in the fantasy world, whereas Pan's Labyrinth is lighter on the fantasy elements. I can't reveal more, but there is good reason for that...

[saintsaucey]

i can't find it in theaters anywhere. i really wanted to go see it today

[Mike Pothier]

It has a limited release right now because of the Oscars. The wide release will be in January some time.

[CaptainAwesome]

I just saw the trailer for this and I have to that it looks interesting. Im not a big fan of computer generated effects, but this looks like a movie that could actually be worth seeing. I hope it comes to the theater soon.

[blackphoenix]

I am gonna try and see this on saturday. Hopefully I won't be bawling at the end(i tend to emote a lot!:o ). I can't wait to see it.

[MaxofSteel]

What's the basic plot? Anyone notable in it?

[Adam West]

Great movie. The visual are stunning!
Before watching the movie, I thought this is a usual fantasy movie, something that kids under 10 years old can enjoy.
But I quickly found how wrong I was. The violence were vivid, the story was 'mature', and the end was heartbreaking. But it wouldn't be that good if the end wasn't like that IMO.

Certainly one of the best movie I've seen this year.

[Ryan Day]

If you like this movie, try to rent Del Toro's the The Devil's Backbone aka El Espinazo del Diablo.

I liked Devil's Backbone, and it really feels like a practice run for Pan's Labyrinth - it's really creepy at times, even if the supernatural & real-world events don't mesh quite as well as they do in Pan's Labyrinth. It doesn't seem like one movie as much as a mix of two stories Del Toro wanted to tell.

[Adam West]

What's the basic plot? Anyone notable in it?

Basic plot:
A little girl named Ofelia met a faun who told her that she's actually a princess in another world. She must complete 3 tasks so that she could return to her world and claimed her rightful place.
Unfortunately, Ofelia stepfather is an army captain who are currently at war with the rebels in the Spanish Civil war. This situation made Ofelia's job in completing the tasks more difficult.

That's all I can say without spoiling much for you. Del Toro meshed the fantasy world and the reality and cruelty of war really well. One of the plus point of the movie.

[Surt]

An amazing movie! The mood is really intense and sad, and the acting is superb. And I got all misty-eyed in the end as well. Definately the best movie of the year and a must-see.

[im399unot]

I had one more question. Is this movie in Spanish. I just saw a review of it on Ebert @ Roeper (2 big thumbs up by the way) and it looked to be spoken in Spanish and subtitled in English. Is this true?

[Arvandor]

Yes. Its in Spanish and subtitled. Do NOT let that put you off.

[Nate Grey]

I JUST got back from a free sneak preview of this movie. For those who saw it: One of the friends I saw it with interpreted it as none of it really happened, the fantasy parts. That Ofelia's life was so messed up, she created this fantasy world to cope. The point of showing us other characters' conversations and views (and the torture scene) was to let us know, yeah, the world IS messed up and Ofelia really has no idea HOW messed up. Which is what really makes the ending especially sad. But luckily they quickly follow that up with the captain's death. He REALLY deserved it.

But, again, that's one interpretation. I myself pretty much took the movie at face value. And the final test, well that knife the faun was holding was really for Ofelia if she choose to spill the baby's blood.

Good movie. I recommend it.

[ScottySummers]

This was definately my favourite film from 2006. It blew me away. As I left the cinema all I could say was "wow....wow....that film was....wow".

It's so complete and perfect and part of me loves that the people who turn their noses up at subtitled films will maybe let this one pass because they really don't deserve this treat. Heartbreaking and devastating but a treat none the less.

Saying that though, I hope the anti subtitle brigade do relent! It's such a visual film, you don't have to bother with the words and you'll still have an amazing story.

I cannot wait for the dvd.

[mattbib]

I JUST got back from a free sneak preview of this movie. For those who saw it: One of the friends I saw it with interpreted it as none of it really happened, the fantasy parts. That Ofelia's life was so messed up, she created this fantasy world to cope. The point of showing us other characters' conversations and views (and the torture scene) was to let us know, yeah, the world IS messed up and Ofelia really has no idea HOW messed up. Which is what really makes the ending especially sad. But luckily they quickly follow that up with the captain's death. He REALLY deserved it.

But, again, that's one interpretation. I myself pretty much took the movie at face value. And the final test, well that knife the faun was holding was really for Ofelia if she choose to spill the baby's blood.

Good movie. I recommend it.
You're friend's right. Ofelia made up the fantasy world.

What a visually stunning film. So sad and fantastic and moving. The movie wasn't quite what I expected, and I was particularly suprised to find myself enjoying the real-life storylines more than the fantasy aspects.

[boolean]

You're friend's right. Ofelia made up the fantasy world.

It's not that cut-and-dried.
How did Ofelia know something was wrong with her mother before it happened? (The scene with the pages of the book covered in blood.)
Where did the mandrake root come from? And why did it seem to work? (The doctor was completely mystified at the extent of her mother's recovery.)
How did she escape from a locked and guarded room?

[Arsenal7]

It's not that cut-and-dried.
How did Ofelia know something was wrong with her mother before it happened? (The scene with the pages of the book covered in blood.)
Where did the mandrake root come from? And why did it seem to work? (The doctor was completely mystified at the extent of her mother's recovery.)
How did she escape from a locked and guarded room?

I think you're right. Del Toro's given interviews suggesting this view is correct, but that people may view it however they wish.

[twilight]

Amazing film.
Ten out of ten.


I'll also add that I think it's open to interpretation.
The scene in the maze where the Captain sees Ophelia talking to nothing sets you up to think it's all in her head but stuff like the mandrake root and it helping her mother switches it back the other way.

Since I like happy endings I'm more than willing enough to believe it was all true and even if Ophelia's physical body died her spirit lived on.

[Kelly Tindall]

Amazing film, I cannot recommend it enough. We saw it with a capacity crowd at the old Uptown Theatre in Calgary, and it was like a rock concert.



The brilliant thing about the film is that you can take either viewpoint; Ofelia made it all up and died alone, or the Underworld was real. There is evidence to support both, such as the chalk used to escape Ofelia's room, or the blooms on the rotten tree.



Regardless, it's a magnificent film. Certainly among Guillermo's two best, and one of the best of the year. I cannot wait to go again, and I cannot understand those who are complaining.

-K.

[MaxofSteel]

Haven't seen the movie yet, but from what I've seen in previews/reviews those monsters look effin' scary!:eek:

I really want to see it though.

[Nate Grey]

Regardless, it's a magnificent film. Certainly among Guillermo's two best

Blade 2 and Hellboy?

[Gargus]

Is it subtitled? Im going tonight to see it.

[Nate Grey]

Is it subtitled? Im going tonight to see it.

Yeah its subtitled since its in Spanish. Don't let that stop (I personally don't mind subtitles at all), its really a great, gorgeous, and heart wrenching film.

[Gargus]

Yeah its subtitled since its in Spanish. Don't let that stop (I personally don't mind subtitles at all), its really a great, gorgeous, and heart wrenching film.


Doesnt stop me, just if I know something will have subtitles I will be mentall prepared to read them before going in. Took me about 15-20 min last night to get to the point where I stopped paying attention to them and was able to see everything going on and still read them without trying to.

I was glad I went to it and enjoyed it very much but I felt something was missing. It was teetering right on the edge of something really special but it wasnt quite there and I cant figure it out.

It had a really good story that didnt seem to be told all the way. Even her little trials were over soon as they started. It was like he had this great story in his head to tell but couldnt quite figure out how to get it all on film. The end came and felt a bit crammed in and poof just over with and I hate quick endings that leave things to be explained by a narrator on what happened.

[J. Robb]

Great, great movie!

The last film I saw was "Children of Men", and that was the best I'd seen in a while, now tonight I saw "Pan's Labyrinth" and it was even better! It reminded me of another favourite of mine, "Life is Beautiful", with its theme of using imagination to deal with times of crisis. And they both had sad yet beautiful endings.

One of my favourite parts actually came fairly early- Ofelia's story about the magic flower that could grant immortality, and how men would only speak of the frightening and dangerous thorns guarding it, and never the magic gift itself. I loved that story and the scene, with the listening baby.

[Trey]

Loved it!

The fantasy parts really happened. Those creatures are only visible to whoever they want to see them.

I don't mind subtitles, like the poster above said, took me 15-20 minutes to adjust. Wish I knew Spanish though!

The casting of Ofelia was perfect.

I agree with Gargus, there was something missing.

[Alex]

You're friend's right. Ofelia made up the fantasy world.

What a visually stunning film. So sad and fantastic and moving. The movie wasn't quite what I expected, and I was particularly suprised to find myself enjoying the real-life storylines more than the fantasy aspects.

Lemme see if i can disagree in spoil tags
Disagree, that would be your general, really overdone story element, and it is the most obvious as a lot of people seem to think that makes the story more "real" or "meaningful". But theres too many things that happened without explanation that either outright prove it was all real, or leave enough in doubht that del toro wanted you to think it might be real. The mandrake root apprently healing the mother, it's destruction leading to her death. Her somehow getting into the captains locked room. Hell, the odd random appearce of a creepy ass maze in the middle of spain...that could be common, i don't know much about Spain, but it seemed weird. Ofelia being able to get to the center of the maze where the captain was blocked off. Even the faun not appearing too the Captain made sense, since the only time we saw the mandrake root alive and kicking was when the mother was unconcious, which could mean only she could see the supernatural elements. Most telling though, was the end of the film, with ofelia being in her dad's kingdom. Even if everything was fake, that was shown after he death, so she wasn't having any imagination at that point. So even if that was some kinda heaven, the fact that the heaven was exactly what she was working towards for the whole film made it real, in some way. I just think there was too much to pass it off as a troubled girl dealing with an incredibly bad situation.

[Patient Boy]

Caught it a couple of weeks back. Excellent choise for my first movie of the year.

[Chevan]

Lemme see if i can disagree in spoil tags


I think a lot of the things that you mentioned are more open to interpretation than you're making them out to be.

It could be argued that the mandrake root was a coincidence. I've seen the argument that the doctor was surprised at the mother's return to health, but I don't think that's indicative that the mandrake root was the cause. There's a definite correlation, but correlation alone isn't prove of causation.

The mandrake root was writhing as though in pain when it was thrown into the fire; at that point, the mother was still conscious.

This might be my own error in remembering, but I was pretty sure I saw Ofelia breathing and moving her eyes around after the sequence when she was in her father's kingdom.

And what was telling for me that led me to believe the scene in her father's kingdom wasn't real was that the actress playing the queen was the same one as the one playing her real life, recently deceased mother. The thing is, that doesn't fit with the opening narrative. For me, the insertion of Ofelia's mother made that scene seem more like a wishful thinking last-ditch dream, not an alternate reality.

[Nate Grey]

It could be argued that the mandrake root was a coincidence. I've seen the argument that the doctor was surprised at the mother's return to health, but I don't think that's indicative that the mandrake root was the cause. There's a definite correlation, but correlation alone isn't prove of causation.

The mandrake root was writhing as though in pain when it was thrown into the fire; at that point, the mother was still conscious.

Why would it be instantaneous? The instant the mandrake breathed its last (from literally being burned to death), THAT'S when the mother bought it.

This might be my own error in remembering, but I was pretty sure I saw Ofelia breathing and moving her eyes around after the sequence when she was in her father's kingdom.

What does that prove? Besides her mortal body was dying? The opening sequence made it seem like her body was some sort of reborn avatar. That has to perish FIRST before she's truly, PERMANENTLY back in the underworld. The body has a mind and a life of its own, Ofelia's true self was simply the driver. We were seeing that body perish. That was kinda the point of the whole movie, not THAT Ofelia was going to die (it was necessary if she was going to return since she can't take that avatar with her), but HOW she was going to die (by sacrifice or in vain by being selfish).

And what was telling for me that led me to believe the scene in her father's kingdom wasn't real was that the actress playing the queen was the same one as the one playing her real life, recently deceased mother. The thing is, that doesn't fit with the opening narrative. For me, the insertion of Ofelia's mother made that scene seem more like a wishful thinking last-ditch dream, not an alternate reality.

The opening narrative also doesn't say she will be tested. We have to infer that for ourselves and from the faun, whom we were slowly starting to distrust with his quests and then the evenually knife and baby scene. Speaking of which, what's funny is that THAT scene was proof to ME its possibly real. The opening said she went up to the mortal world, eventually died and was reborn, and therefore she doesn't remember her past life. The whole movie was a TEST to see if she deserved to come back or not, since she more or less left in the first place by being hard-headed. That knife was literally for if she decided NOT to sacrifice herself instead of the baby. Sacrifice = go back to her kingdom, having redeemed herself. Choose the baby = stabbed with the knife the faun said was meant for the baby. No sacrifice, and therefore she would have simply died, no telling where she would have went but it wouldn't have been the underworld.

If this was all a test set by her parents, what's stopping them from participating in the test? It became painfully obvious when the mother was trying to drill into her there's no such thing as magic. The father dying so the mother could marry that tyrant was setting the stage (I think her father in the underworld is also the one who was her real father, even though they never showed it). It didn't matter how THEY died cause they were the ones who set up the test (and maybe even gave themselves some form of amnesia so they wouldn't be tempted to blow it), they were going back to the underworld once they died. THEY didn't need to be judged. Its Ofelia who was the question mark.

Its either that, or how much powers do we know Ofelia retained? None? Some? Did she MAKE her mortal parents look like that? Or was looking at them through rose-colored eyes?

If you choose to see the movie as real, go ahead. But there's plenty of evidence for ME to say that her fantasy is real. Which I think was Del Toro's goal anyway.

[Figaro]

I got to see it this afternoon. I was so caught up in it that I didn't want it to end. Every aspect of the production worked perfectly. As far as I'm concerned, del Toro has created a classic.

By thy side,

Figaro

[Chevan]

Why would it be instantaneous? The instant the mandrake breathed its last (from literally being burned to death), THAT'S when the mother bought it.

The movie is being seen through Ofelia's eyes, with Ofelia's interpretations of events. In Ofelia's mind, everything she's seeing is real. However, I don't think what Ofelia is seeing is necessarily real to any outside observer.

I don't think the mandrake root was alive at all. I think it was part of Ofelia's imagination, similar to how the sequences with the faun could also be part of Ofelia's imagination. Ofelia saw her mother go into extreme pain right after throwing into the fire the mandrake root she believed to be alive and beneficial, and so the movements and life she imagined the mandrake root to have ended when her mother's condition declined.


What does that prove? Besides her mortal body was dying?

My response there was a response to the previous post, where Alex said: that was shown after he death

My point was that that scene wasn't happening after her death, it happened before. I assumed that Alex was saying that he thought since the kingdom scene happened after her death, it must have been real; I was trying to refute that by saying she was still alive at that point, and perfectly capable of making it up.

[Nate Grey]

Why would it be instantaneous? The instant the mandrake breathed its last (from literally being burned to death), THAT'S when the mother bought it.

The movie is being seen through Ofelia's eyes, with Ofelia's interpretations of events. In Ofelia's mind, everything she's seeing is real. However, I don't think what Ofelia is seeing is necessarily real to any outside observer.

And I DO think it is. Boils down to the viewer's personal interpretation. That's yours, this is mine.

I don't think the mandrake root was alive at all. I think it was part of Ofelia's imagination, similar to how the sequences with the faun could also be part of Ofelia's imagination. Ofelia saw her mother go into extreme pain right after throwing into the fire the mandrake root she believed to be alive and beneficial, and so the movements and life she imagined the mandrake root to have ended when her mother's condition declined.

Which is possible, just as its possible it all DID happen. Again, personal interpretation.


What does that prove? Besides her mortal body was dying?

My response there was a response to the previous post, where Alex said: that was shown after he death

My point was that that scene wasn't happening after her death, it happened before.I assumed that Alex was saying that he thought since the kingdom scene happened after her death, it must have been real; I was trying to refute that by saying she was still alive at that point, and perfectly capable of making it up.

Ah, I see. It looked like the scene wasn't happening before OR after, but during, which was why when she finally died we saw no more glimpses of her in the underworld with her parents, cause her link between both worlds (her mortal body) had passed. You take it as a child's final delusion, putting herself mentally in the most happiest place, I take it as her finally getting her reward.

[Trey]

The events are real:

1 Mandrake root, the Faun gives it to her, she does not find it in the woods
2 We see the fairy at the beginning fly around the motorcade, before Ofelia finds him/her
3 the chalk helps her escape the captains room

4 an actual labyrinth in the middle of the woods

5 These creatures can make themselves only visible to whoever they want

6 The Book that shows what events will happen. Ofelia interacts with it in the real world