Pan's Labyrinth

Mythology and fantasy entwine, creating a dark fairy tale that steps beyond the boundaries of an innocent fairy tale. A film of morbid-beauty and fearsome brilliance, Pan's Labyrinth educes a thrill accompanied by despair, mesmerizing those who relish whimsical legends, even as children.

Creatures that exist only in imagination are brought to life, drawing the line between reality and an illusory world as seen through the eyes of a young girl. A representation of something pure amidst the tainted aura of a horrid reality, Ofelia must strive to return to the immortal world and take her place upon her throne, ruling alongside her true father and mother. She learns of her task from a mysterious Faun, a creature of magnificence yet subtle seduction. He holds a power over her, forming a relationship that instills a dark beauty within the film.

The monsters brought forth from the vile reality of war reveal themselves within the twisted minds of the Spanish soldiers, contrasting with the terrifying beauty of the real monsters who stand, unknown to mortals, among their number.Those who fought for innocence lost it through the barrel of a gun- through the blood with stains of the innocence so violently fought for.

Guillermo del Toro conjures up a realm where no one can be certain if it is real, or if it just a part of a young, desperate and miserable child's imagination.  From the child-eating monster to the alluring Faun, the dangerously enthralling monsters present a possible fabrication of Ofelia's cognizance. Del Toro uses this nebulous situation to make the film teeter on the edge of realism and folklore in a way that makes one unsure if they are standing within a domain of fantasy or sphere of corporeality.

Either way, del Toro brings to light the fact that monsters can be found in all forms, shapes, sizes... that innocence is rare... and that nothing can overthrow the power of imagination, no matter what age you are...