Pan's Labyrinth

[kybearfuzz]

Ofelia enters another world in Pan's Labyrinth
After reading many reviews online and hearing good things about it from folks like ericdabear, I decided to hit a matinee of Pan's Labyrinth yesterday.

The juxtaposition of a tyrannical Spain in 1944 against the "fantasy" world of a young Spanish girl is impressive. When her pregnant mother moves them to her brutal military husband's post, Ofelia unlocks a fantasy world to escape, finding out she is the princess of that world, but must complete three tasks to open the portal to get there.

The film was wonderful, incredibly artistic and graphic, and the balance between the reality of war and the young girl's fantasy is well done. I hesitate to use the word "fantasy" because it seems to not be "unrealistic" as one world influences another. The movie has subtitles, but they are relatively large and are easier to follow than any other foreign film I've seen. I didn't find them distracting at all.

Did I enjoy the movie? Very much.
Would I see it again? Yes.
Buy the DVD? Hmmmm... not sure.

Comments

[prisonbitch.livejournal.com]

i saw it this afternoon
it was wonderful!

do you think it was all in her mind, just the way she coped with the war and losing her parents? Or do you think it may have been real?

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I personally thought that it was real, as her actions in the fantasy world seemed to have real influence in her real world. I like to think that she made it in the end.

[digibob.livejournal.com]

I saw this Saturday night -- loved it, but it made me very sad to say the least.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I know the feeling... but that's one of the things that makes it a good movie.

Pan's too much reality not enough fairy tale

[yb67.livejournal.com]

Although I enjoyed the movie, there was way too much violence and reality. I went hoping to be lost in a fairy tale world and ended up watching men getting killed and tortured. I will definitely see the moving again, and will enjoy it better now that my expectations have been set properly. Have you seen the trailer for this movie? I thought most of the movie would be in the world of make believe. :-)

Re: Pan's too much reality not enough fairy tale

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

You know, I never saw the previews for it, just what I've seen online. Several LJ friends mentioned that it was definitely NOT a fairy tale movie, especially not one for kids.