ddjss's review about Pan's Labyrinth(2006)

This film is definitely worth savoring! It's frustrating when some people label it a kids' movie because it's much deeper and more thought-provoking than children would fully understand. The ideas it conveys are meaningful for each and every one of us. It highlights the lasting emotional impact of war on children, which goes well beyond physical wounds. In a world overshadowed by the threat of war, where apathy and dead silence prevail, children can only find solace and happiness in the imaginary realms they create—just like in Pan's Labyrinth!

While watching the film, I had a vague sense of something impressive that I couldn't quite grasp at first. It wasn't until I did some research that it all became clear. It turns out that this film is a fairytale interpretation of the Spanish Civil War. It seamlessly blends reality and fantasy, weaving together dark fairy tales and the sad pages of history. The metaphors used are incredibly clever. However, without knowledge of the historical context of the Spanish Civil War, it might seem like an ordinary dark fantasy film.

This film is a classic example of magical realism. Guillermo del Toro expertly incorporates metaphors of Spanish history and political changes into the screenplay. It tells a captivating story that intertwines dark mythology with the harsh realities of life, using warm yellow and gray-blue color tones. Some of the violent scenes, reminiscent of cult films, are genuinely shocking. The design of the main antagonist is absolutely stunning, showcasing the incredible makeup work. And the ending... it's truly moving. I'd give it an 8.5 out of 10.

Pan's Labyrinth is a captivating fantasy, its enchantment disrupted by gunfire and the anguish of weary souls cut short. It stands as a true marvel, blending storytelling, craftsmanship, design, and theatricality seamlessly within the confines of cinema. Guillermo Del Toro skillfully weaves a narrative that is both compelling and heartrending.

La mejor película de Guillermo Del Toro junto a Nightmare Alley. Obra maestra del realismo mágico que explora la posibilidad de la fantasía como un escape de la realidad. Cruda y emotiva

Todos los miedos juntos.La película no quiere ser de terror en ningún momento pero claramente se pueden identificar los temores que más duelen.

Amazing, but not for children.This movie is excellent from different points of view. In the first place, it is an exhaustive portrait of the horrors of the postwar period and of the evil of the human being; many scenes are bloody but realistic because unfortunately this is what happened in those years. Also, and the rhythm is sustained throughout the entire movie. The fantasy part is very well developed and it does not lack suspense, especially in the second test Ofelia has to overcome. The film also gives us many special effects; the creatures are very well done. If you like fantastic stories and imaginary worlds, this is your movie, but I do not advise you to watch it if you are easily impressed by blood ... and I don't recommend it for children due to the many explicit violent scenes.

Conto de fadas Grimm.Nunca vou esquecer, primeiramente, da musiquinha que a mãe cantava para a menina. Ela, pra mim, é o retrato perfeito de algo mágico, porém que assombra ao mesmo tempo, que é a essência do filme. Del Toro construiu aqui uma obra de valor imenso em tantos sentidos, que só assistindo mesmo para entender. É maravilhoso, envolvente, emocionante, e a gente se sente a criança dentro da história, apesar da agonia de ter a consciência adulta, enquanto público, do contexto. Apenas incrível.