anythingapplies

• Pan’s Labyrinth

  January 2nd, 2007

  I recently saw Pan's Labyrinth. For those that have not heard of it, it is a film about innocence. Taking place at the end of the Spanish Civil War, the movie follows its protagonist, Ofelia, a young girl, as she discovers a fantastic world which mirrors the horrors she sees in her every day life.

  I first saw the trailer sometime at the beginning of December and was instantly captivated by the story, the music, and the actors. Everything about it seemed so interesting. All of the creatures that are shown in the trailer are clearly not of our world. I was intrigued by the way they looked and how the story itself could incorporate them all into a coherent story.

  Needless to say, I was not disappointed this past Friday. The characters were real. Even though the acting from Ivana Baquero (who plays Ofelia) did not seem as real as it could have been, the rest of the cast, the music, and the plot more than made up for her shortcomings.

  The only thing that did not sit well with me is towards the beginning the score seemed intrusive. Especially at the point when Ofelia first discovers the labyrinth. When she first walks into there a male choir that rises up, much like what was used during the bridge of Khazad-dûm in the Lord of the Rings score. In Lord of the Rings, however, the male choir fits perfectly in with what is going on in the story at the time. We have this huge monster chasing after the fellowship, and we're in the underground Dwarven city of Moria. What else would you expect to hear during at this point other than grunting men alongside some beautiful orchestral pieces?

  Unfortunately, the same doesn't hold true for Ofelia's discovery of the labyrinth. That's my only real gripe with the film. I was amazed, touched, and inspired by everything else. In spite of all this, it is not a film for everyone. It is extremely violent and grotesque. It is not a film for anyone scared of needles. The film goes places where not many films I have seen have gone. In addition to this, when most films would cut away, this film stays right on the subject and you see exactly what happens. Even though this is true, everything that happens during the movie fits beautifully within the context of the film.

  Overall: 3.5/4.