This is probably one of the best films of '06, and i feel like a moron for posting my list before seeing this. anyone else love this movie? btw if anyone can fill me on on what happened in the first say 5 mins, right before they get out of the car in the woods and start walking to the mill?

I wish I could help you with the 1st 5min. But Pan's Labyrinth wasn't released in Hawaii much to my dismay. I was and still am looking forward to seeing this beautiful movie.

I've heard the movie is amazing and you can't go wrong with a metacritic score of 96, wow. But I was gunna see it last weekend, but I decided to see Children of Men, which was incredible!

well brian i also have a forum on children of men, so im sure youll enjoy that

The first five minutes of the movie show Ofelia on the ground with blood flowing backwards into her nose, while a narrator tells the story of a Princess who was loved by all in another world, very similar to the labyrinth, but she died. However, all who lived there weren't unhappy because it was foretold that she would be reborn and return to the Kingdom of her Father and Mother. Ofelia is then shown in the Rolls Royce, reading a book of Fairy Tales. Yeah, I'd say this is a movie where you don't want to miss the beginning.

I give this film a B+, so it's definitely one of the five best I've seen so far this year. Sergi López, as the Captain, is one of the all-time greatest villains in film history. The violence is shocking, but it wasn't quite as spontaneous as that in Children of Men because you knew the Captain was usually going to do something sadistic. The scenes in the "real world", involving the military trying to hunt down the Resistance fighters in the hills, are some of the most-beautifully muscular filmmaking I've seen recently. The images often leapt directly off the screen.

I was enthralled with the "fantasy world" because it was a variation on Wonderland, so you could never really tell what would happen next. The effects, sets and photography were wonderful in these segments too.

My favorite parts of the movie were when the two worlds overlapped and made you think about what you were really watching. That's where the movie scores some extra points with me, but I can't accept a 97. Hell, I only give Army of Shadows a B-! Anyway, if you're a fan of cinema with an open mind, Pan's Labyrinth should heartily reward your investment of time, money, and especially, imagination.

I'm not really a fan of fantasy. The fact that I've listed Pan's Labryinth at the top of my 2006 list, and searched for forums like this, illustrate how well this film blends fantasy and reality.

There are several amazing scenes in the movie. One in particular had the entire audience shifting in their chairs. There is nothing quite like being as uncomfortable as the hundreds of people that sit around you yet amused by it.

Very powerful movie.

My dad and sister were going to pick me up and then see this movie, but couldn't contact me so they just went without me.

However they walked out halfway through, they said it was too gory and desparing.

Maybe some people shouldn't see certain films. I hope that not many people walked out of Schindler's List halfway through because of its gore and despair. I also hope that serious filmwatchers are open to films regardless of the subject matter, but I realize that's often not the case.

Pan's Labyrinth is a fairy tale, but remember how all the old fairy tales ended with children's deaths because they wouldn't follow simple directions? Fairy Tales have become whitewashed to "protect children" because we now feel that they will scare them. I guess they don't need to actually be scared and learn any REAL lessons anymore.

Anyway, Pan's Labyrinth shines a light on a very dark and violent world which most of the "real world" has ignored for 70 years. Yeah, we all know about Hitler. But, since Franco kept Spain out of WW II, all in the name of Fascism, he was able to carry out atrocities which were hidden from most people. Yet they occurred and had profound effects. I also believe the Colonel is one of the all-time greatest villains in film history. Is he one-dimensional? Is he Hitler? This movie portrays those atrocities he commits, yet it's told as a fairy tale.

I truly believe that this film is uplifting. Yes, it's sad because in our world, horrible things were and are still occurring, but in the "fairy tale" world of the movie, they had to happen, so that all the prophecies would be fulfilled and an honest happy ending would occur. It's sorta like you have to have Christ tortured and sacrificed to have a "happy ending" for the Christian world.

Yes, being a human and living life isn't the simplest thing in the world, but what better alternative do we have? Film and music both help us get through to the end of whatever this life is meant to represent. That's one of the reasons I love Pan's Labyrinth. One of the other reasons is that it's a terrific film, and I love film. Peace.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mark f,

I thought PL was one of the most striking and original films I've seen in a while, along with Children Of Men. I agree, Mark -- I remember several people telling me they walked out of "The Thin Red Line" early because it was too boring...even if you're not into the non-linear abstract stuff, that film, like PL, has plenty of other stuff going for it that someone who really appreciates film should find interesting. At least enough so to sit through it.

It's also a good case for, if not reading some reviews, at least skimming a synopsis before paying to see a movie. If I went to every movie that I "heard was pretty good" without checking into it, I'd have wasted a lot of money. (The Renny Harlin Exorcist prequel comes to mind)

Oh man, just saw this movie - great. Fantastic.

The Pale Man (the gaunt fellow with eyes in his hands) was the stuff of nightmares.

Also, I like how it was left up to the audience if it was all in her mind or not.

I completely agree. Usually I'm not too affected by the chopping off of heads...or just gore in general, but Pans Labyrinth had a twist on it that really did get to me. Instead of being completely grossed out, I took notice how that hardly ever happens and I have to give props to the movie! -gore that actaully made me want to hate the captain to the point where I laughed out loud during the movie when he was stitching himself up and fantasy that had a unique yet attractive pull. I loved it!

I don't feel like writing a lot, but I loved this movie. It was really intense in the most enjoyable way possible.

After several weeks of being upset it hadn't released in Hawaii it finally showed. I saw it as soon as I was able to. I LOVED this film! I only wished it had shown a little more into the fantasy world. I couldn't help but cringe when she got her dress muddy... expecting the Captain to beat her... man did I hate him... This was one of the few films that I was eager to see and didn't disappoint me when I finally saw it. It is definitely in my Top 10 all time favorite films.

i loved this movie soooo much, it is one of the best movies I have ever seen, Del Toro is a genius. I just wish Pale Man had a bigger role ands a larger scene. It's a shame to see such a spectacular costume for only like, 5 minutes. But overall this movie is an A for me, i loved every second

Well, based on all the reviews I've heard & read from countless people, I pre-ordered it through my Columbia House account. It hasn't shown up yet, but it was mailed yesterday & should be here by Saturday, at the latest. I'm a big Guillermo del Torro fan & I can't wait to see it!

I hhope you aren't pissed it's in Spanish.

DOOOO'H!!!!! You know, I thought somethin' was up when the title listed in IMDB was in spanish! Why didn't any of you mention that before?????!!!!! Pleeeease let them have a good english dubb on the DVD!!!!!! Oh, well, I was able to watch "The Passion of the Christ" subtitled, I guess this shouldn't be too bad if it's as good as you all claim it is.

Flippin' spanish, I knew I should've payed more attention in that class, but I figured, "I'm never going to Mexico. I live in America!" Stupid! I need to finish that time machine & tell myself to pay attention, you're going to need to know this language in the future to watch movies. And I'd tell myself to learn Arimaic for the same reason. Oh, & I'd also stop the drunk driver before he crashed into my parents car. Oh, wait. If I do that last one I'd never own a monkey & I wouldn't have "The Truck". I probably would never have even met my wife. BUT, I'd be in good health & have went to college & become a marine biologist. Tough desicion. Screw it, I'll decide AFTER I'm done building it.

You should totally love Pan's Labyrinth!! IN Spanish

Saw it tonight on dvd rental. Interesting story and great special effects but not something I'd want to see again.

quote:

Originally posted by mark f:
You should totally love Pan's Labyrinth!! IN Spanish

Am I THAT transparent?! I must be posting here way too much ! I did enjoy this movie very much, indeed! I agree with Crazed in the sense that it has an interesting story & great SFX, but I'll definetly be watching it again! I loved the music & the fact that it was in spanish didn't lessen my enjoyment the tiniest bit, either. I'm especially interested in the commentary track. Del Torro is a very good commentator & I'm sure he'll answer a few questions about the movie that popped into my head as I watched it. They aren't demeaning questions or anything, if he doesn't answer them it wouldn't take anything from the movie. I'll also be able to watch the movie without words obstructing the picture. Not that they took up alot of the screen, but they were a sort of distraction. It's too bad they don't have a music only track, that would be too good! That single poster's rant about it were completely unfounded. I can't seem to find his thread, so I'm guessing some of the comments he made were inappropriate, afterall.

Since I couldn't wait & opened it, I won't be able to trade it in, but that's alright. In the next few months the price will drop & I'll get it for 10 bucks or less & let a friend of mine get this copy. He NEVER buys movies & with Special Editions & Director's Cuts coming out almost every month, he's making a killing off of my rejected DVD's. With the exception of "Payback". The Director's Cut was an entirely different movie, so he couldn't have the original because that one contained my favorite scenes that weren't in the "new one". He wasn't happy about that one bit !