This movie sat on my Netflix queue for almost a year and I still never got around to watching it until recently (it is currently free On Demand). I had heard the rave reviews it got when it was released and was curious to see what all the fuss was about. If you are a fan of fantasy, like me, then you will find this movie equally wow-ing. Pan's Labyrinth is a truly unique and fascinating movie. It combines fantasy and historical fiction, CGI technology and real footage.
Set in fascist Spain during World War II, and subtitled in English, it follows a young Spanish girl, Ofelia. Her mother has married a remarkably evil leader of the Fascist movement and moved them out to the hills to fight the insurgents. The escape Ofelia creates for herself is a world that combines reality and fantasy in indistinguishable and perilous ways. Pan's Labyrinth had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, and left me both impressed and perturbed.
A warning for some viewers, the movie has some scenes of gruesome violence and absolutely deserves its R rating. Other scenes of this movie are downright creepy, and being the anti-horror proponent that I am (although this movie is NOT a horror movie, it is just nerve racking and unsettling), I can not recommend this to anyone of a sensitive nature. (No shame in that). For those who think they are up to it, be prepared for a movie that will stick with you long after it ends.
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-Emily
