Unexpectedly Brilliant!
- Pan's Labyrinth review by CP Customer
I Highly recommend this film.
First of all there are really two interconnected (?) stories in this film that are both interesting.
The real and invented (?) world's that Ofelua lives in are gripping. I saw this one in the cinema and the time passed so quickly I can't wait for this one to come out so I can see it again. I feel it's best that I don't say anymore, you need to 'discover' this one for yourself
8 out of 9 members found this review helpful.
a work of Art
- Pan's Labyrinth review by CP Customer
This is easily one of my top ten films of all time! It is amazing! The title may confuse you into thinking this is a kids film - it is not David Bowie's 'Labyrinth' - far from it! There are no upbeat jingles, or Jim Henson puppets here. Just atmospheric and haunting orchestral meoldies, fantastical and beautiful scenes reminicant of a brothers grim fairy tale. Its unexpected, magical, imaginative, beautiful, creepy and an epic to watch over and over again.
5 out of 5 members found this review helpful.
Superb film making
- Pan's Labyrinth review by CP Customer
A fairy tale for adults, and it definitely is for adults as there are some scary bits and graphic torture scenes. It is about a young girl called Ophelia who's widowed mother marries a sadistic army captain. She enters an unexpected fantasy world through an abandoned maze/labyrinth in the overgrown garden of her new home. Here she meets Pan, whose motives for befriending her are unclear. There are some good special effects and the writing/directing team's imagination is brilliant. Ultimately it is a tale of standing up for what you believe in and not being bullied by the big guys.
3 out of 4 members found this review helpful.
Pan's Labyrinth
- Pan's Labyrinth review by CP Customer
Judging by the reviews I had read, I was not sure whether I would enjoy this film. Wow! I would certainly recommend it.
A child's fairy tale set against quite a brutal background. It certainly kept me guessing right up to the end.
It reminded me of nasty stories read to me as a child that were supposed to make you behave yourself. A very good film.
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
Zorro meets Lord of the Rings
- Pan's Labyrinth review by JD
This is a well crafted film with many levels. The top level is a pretty horrifying account of guerrila warfare and torture, the bottom layer a fantasy world with characters that really have to be seen to be believed. Some of the middle layers get a bit blurred but are no less interesting for it. As scary a 15 rated as you are likely to find.
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
Simply brilliant
- Pan's Labyrinth review by CP Customer
Absorbing and thought provoking - can't think of another film which combines fantasy and the brutal reality of that period of history so well.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.
Young girl trapped in a world of fascist cruelty
- Pan's Labyrinth review by CT
Many Spanish films seem to be set in a period of Spanish Civil War. Here a young girl is trapped between that world and a more normal one of natural relationships and their care. The fantasy element she is drawn into may represent her way of resolving the conflict, but that is not without its threat, and the two meet in a final unresolvable crash. It is a magnificent film, but not for the fainthearted. But then the best fairy stories have a dark undertow. It goes with 'The Tree of Guernica', and they could be watched side-by-side.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.