What Makes "Pan's Labyrinth" Great?

A masterclass in Visual crafting and storytelling, Guillermo Del Toro's Pans Labyrinth showcases the director working at his absolute best with his distinct style.

Set in 1944 Spain, the film follows a 10-year-old girl named Ofelia moves with her pregnant mother to live with her new stepfather, Captain Vidal, a firm believer in the Francoist regime. Vidal is currently hunting down rebels in the area as Ofelia finds herself in a strange new world when she meets a Fawn who sets her on a series of events where she meets all kinds of bizarre creatures.

Del Toro's blend of the fantasy world with the darkness of the natural world is exceptional. Both stories brilliantly intertwine with each other creating a fascinating narrative throughout. As Ofelia becomes more engrossed in this fantastical world, the cruelness of reality also begins to set in for her. The reasons for the latter being mother growing sick, and her Stepfather Captain Vidal, whose ruthlessness and cruelty the audience and Ofelia witness firsthand. Vidal is of the most terrifying and detestable film villains of the 21st century, and despite all the creatures that are present in the film, he is the real monster of this story.

The film is also a feast for the eyes in every sense of the word. The cinematography and production design are both steller and the music by Javiar Navarrete will dug at your heartstrings. The use of rain is an esspisally striking image in this film, so striking that even Akira Kurosowa would be in awe of. The effects used to bring the creatures to life is a mix of cgi and practical effects. The notable ones are done almost entirly in makeup, with actor Doug Jones Pysically transforming into both the "Fawn" and the "Pale Man" respectvially. The child eating Pale man in particaluar has become one of the most iconic monsters in film history. One of Ophelia's task is receiving a dagger from the lair of the Pale Man who seats unmoving until Ophelia takes a bite of some of the food she was told not to eat. It's a sequence straight out of a nightmare and reminds me of the scary stories that parents sometimes tell their kids to keep them from doing something.

Pans Labyrinth is the craftmanship of filmaking at it's finest. A true work of art that should not be missed.