Reviewed by Nicholas Butler

GUILLERMO DEL TORO’s Pan’s Labyrinth follows his earlier The Devil’s Backbone, also set during the Spanish civil war. The common thread that runs through both films is of fantasy placed within the grimness of a twentieth century war. It is a war that many people from outside Spain may know little about it – perhaps simply because it doesn’t have the same currency as Vietnam or WWII. In the case of Pan’s Labyrinth this is a refreshing change for the viewer who sees a sinister Spanish officer in place of the usual suspects. More romantic and accomplished than The Devil’s Backbone, del Toro mixes realism and fantasy in the parable of a young girl, Ofelia, who purveys a wonderful imaginary world as she is lead into zones such as a labyrinth where she meets a faun Pan. Pan is somewhat ambiguous in his intentions, as he seduces her to partake in various tasks, whereas some other creatures are obviously more sinister. Ofelia has to contend with a duality of challenges provided by fairytale creatures and of real life – such as her evil stepfather who is an army officer.

The success of the film lies in the smooth interweaving of Ofelia’s two concurring worlds. This is achieved by providing separate narratives that correlate. Ofelia’s fortune in one world often parallels her fortune in the other. In other cases one may directly influence the other. Elements from the fantasy world, such as a mandrake root that transmogrifies in to a newborn baby, are animated and moving. When these are transplanted in to the ‘real’ world they lose their lifelessness but keep a magical influence over characters such as Ofelia’s mother in the wartime setting. Meanwhile, the enchanting fantasy scenes have a dark intensity designed for adults, even though it does seem, at times, to be for children – the reason, perhaps, for its widespread appeal and critical success. We, as adults, can relate to Ofelia’s experiences as they remind us of own dreamy childhood. It seems we are seeing things through Ofelia’s young eyes as the film takes us on a fast and suspenseful journey. Older audiences will also enjoy it aesthetically for the stunning visual quality of many scenes. Some, like myself, may enjoy this film for its complexity of images and simply for hearing Pan, the faun, speak Spanish in such a haunting tone.

» Guillermo del Toro | Mexico/Spain/USA | 2006 | In Theatres Now