Run, do not walk, to see Pan's Labyrinth

Run, do not walk, to see Pan's Labyrinth

by Sanjuro | Published on January 3rd, 2007, 1:11 pm | Arts

"Pan's Labyrinth"...Absolutely unbelievable. This movie will stay with you a very long time. It's everything a fairy tale was supposed to be. Scary, fun, whimsical, touching, beautiful, and bitter sweet. I don't know what I expected, but what I didn't expect was the breathtaking realism with which it was told.

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From frame one, you are pulled into the story and the lavish universe not to be let out.. no matter how much you may want to be. To say more would give too much away, best to go into this unprepared.

One of the best films of the year. The audience was silent and stunned at the end of the film.. it took a while for them to start milling about. That's saying a lot for New Yorkers!

Another terrific film I saw this weekend is "Children of Men".

Very, very high on my list for best picture as well. It leaves a few things about the world the film exists in unexplained, but that was part of the charm and really kept you focused. Set in a very near future that seems so strange but yet so very familiar at the same time. Not as exotic as something like Bladerunner, but certainly as Noir. Edge of your seat stuff...the whole way through.

All women become infertile. The world with no purpose is facing death and is in turmoil...but there is hope. Best to go into this one as well with blinders on... to do less would give too much away.

What a great year for film!

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If you go see one movie this week, Pan's Labyrinth should be it. Nothing you see or do this week will have a more profound effect on you then this movie.

Sanjuro recommended it, and indeed it was an incredible movie. The only theater locally playing Pan's Labyrinth, appears to be the Grande over at Friendly center / Rodeo Drive. That's where I caught this unbelievable movie. This film is one part war movie, one part Freddy Krueger, and one part Fairy Tale. It's never ending story meets labyrinth meets Edward scissor hands.

This movie will literally make you cry, cringe, scream, and cheer for it's characters; but the most important part of this film, is it makes you think.

It's not a film that will easily escape your mind, but becomes an integral part of your experiences in life. It's a throwback to childhood, to memories, and to hardships.

So what's the movie really about? Well technically it's a movie that I don't think it's quite fair to tell you without seeing. It's up for your personal judgement. But it takes place during a time of civil war, with a Tyrannical Spanish general whose wife brings her reluctant daughter into a new marriage. Her only escape from the bloodshed, and horrors of her reality is a stone labyrinth that adorns the compound where the general, his pregnant wife, and Ophelia live. Her imagination invades reality with a magical fairy, a curious faun, and a mysterious quest to become a princess. She must complete tests that lead her through magical doorways, lairs of giant frogs, and personal sacrifice. It's this adventure that leads her down a path to become princess of her alternative reality.

I will reinforce what Sanjuro said... Don't wait! Go see this movie! It's worth every dollar!

Told ya so

I love this movie. Its been over a month since Ive seen it, and it STILL sticks with me. In a world of self generated hollywood and film "hype", its so refreshing to see something actually live up to it... hell, surpass it.