In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Saturday 29 October 2011

El laberinto del fauno [Pan's Labyrinth] [2006]

Like Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands before it, Guillermo Del Toro brilliantly crafts a heartbreaking fairy tale tainted with a stark reality.
With terrifyingly beautiful creatures(something Del Toro has perfected), sets that twist and turn with each breath the earth takes and it's deeply poetic storytelling, Pan's is a journey I can never tire of enjoying.
As violent as the film can get, it never goes without reason and helps with the development of the characters and the harsh world built around them. Doug Jones firmly places himself at the top of creature performers, based upon his graceful use of body movements and timing.
It's all complimented with a haunting lullaby so beautiful it can proudly join the ranks of Elfman and Beltrami's gorgeous vocal thematic compositions.
Pan's Labyrinth is a wonderful film that leaves you breathless with awe, wonder and horror. It's dark fantasy at it's finest we've seen in many, many years.

5 choices to die out of 5

5 comments:

Dr Faustus said...

Love this film. The contrasts could have been better, or maybe that was just the R2 dvd. Story, characterisation, acting etc are all superb.
5 spiral steps into darkness out of 5.

BLACKTR0N said...

I've only seen it once so I can only give it a high 4 but I think I'll try to get it in in the next 3 days.

cuckoo said...

High 4 is still pretty decent.

I was completely hypnotized by this film.

Almost considered a repeat viewing in the next few days with this one.

Impudent Urinal said...

5 chicks always eat the forbidden fruit out of 5

Dr Faustus said...

I should name my penis forbidden fruit.