"Pan’s Labyrinth" By Don Evans

This is no Narnia. Set against the postwar repression of Spain, writer/director Guillermo Del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth is a gothic fairy tale that pits good vs. evil. The film tells the story of Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), a little girl who moves against her will to a rural military outpost that is run by her brand new stepfather, Captain Vidal (Sergi Lopez). Ofelia, completely oblivious to the cruelty that is occurring, discovers an ancient labyrinth in the woods behind Captain Vidal’s outpost. There she meets a faun who tells the girl that she is the princess of the underworld, and that she must open the portal between the faerie world and her own world. There are several tasks she must complete in order to do this, all quite terrifying. On top of that Ofelia’s mother is about to give birth to her baby brother, and she is not in good health. Meanwhile the rebel army is closing in, and time is running out.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly fantasy film to take your children to, then this is defiantly not the film that you are looking for. Guillermo Del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth is a stunningly beautiful yet horrifying film that will stay with you for days after your initial viewing. Guillermo Del Toro adds this film to an already impressive resume, which includes such cult classics as The Devil’s Backbone and Mimic, as well as studio films such as Hellboy and Blade 2.

The film is edited with great precision, switching gracefully from Ofelia’s reality, and her fantasy world. The cuts never seem forced, giving the film a near-perfect pace. Guillermo Navarro’s cinematography is exquisitely beautiful, using different hues of color to set the tone for different events in the film. Javier Navarrete’s Oscar nominated score is very subtle yet amazing, and it helps to carry the film.

Ofelia is played by 12 year-old Ivana Baquero, a young actress appearing in only her fourth film. She gives a very haunting yet sentimental performance that will have you leaving the theater in tears. Her portrayal of Ofelia adds innocence to a film that without her would lack emotion. Ivana Baquero is definitely a young actress that we need to watch out for in years to come; if she keeps up the good work, she could be a future star in Spain.

Sergi Lopez delivers one of the best supporting performances of the year as Captain Vidal. His portrayal of Captain Vidal gives us a very complex character that shows a near perfect mix of chauvinism and fascism. He is the true villain of the film.

The film lacks any sort of overtly Christian values, but underneath the surface of this beautiful film, you find several Christian undertones that are quite interesting. Early in the film, Ofelia tells her unborn brother a story of a flower that gives eternal life only if man reaches out and takes it. The film also highlights on self-sacrifice, as well as on a world after death.

The film recently received 6 well deserved Academy Award Nominations in the following categories: Best Foreign Language Film, Best Cinematography, Best Original Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Makeup, Best Original Score.

This film is not for the faint at heart, nor is it for the thrill seeking movie-goer. The film carries a hard R rating, so be weary of the content before deciding if this film is right for you.

Film Quality: ***** (out of *****)

Moral Content Quality: **1/2 (out of *****) Film includes brutal violence, and some language.