Pan's Labyrinth

When I first saw the previews to "Pan’s Labyrinth," I was blown away. I knew it was a movie I had to see. When it was finally released I checked the local listings and was surprised to find that it was only playing in select theaters. I had to travel a bit to see it, but it was well worth my time. Pan’s Labyrinth was not the fairy tale I was led to believe it was by the previews, though. In fact, it was totally different from anything I had anticipated, but it turned out to be a cinematic masterpiece of another kind.

“Long ago in the Underground Realm…where there are no lies or pain, there lived a Princess who dreamt of the human world. She dreamt of blue skies, the soft breeze and sunshine…One day, eluding her keepers, the Princess escaped." – Pan’s Labyrinth

Guillermo Del Toro's film, Pan’s Labyrinth, is about a young girl, Ofelia (magnificently played by Ivana Baquero), who discovers a gateway to a fantasy realm. Stuck in a nightmare reality too harsh for her to endure, she uses this portal, fueled by love and imagination, as a form of escape.

The time is 1944, towards the end of the Spanish Civil War. The setting of Pan’s Labyrinth is the Spanish countryside. Ofelia’s pregnant mother has just moved them here to be with her new father, a tyrant named Vidal (Sergi López), who is a captain in the civil guard. His enemies are members of the resistance who are fighting against the fascist regime.

At the beginning of the story, Ofelia is led to Pan’s labyrinth by a strange winged creature where she meets the keeper of the labyrinth, a faun played by Doug Jones. The flying creature special effects are truly amazing, reminding me of Del Toro’s work in Mimic. The faun, another amazingly crafted creature, informs her that she is an ancient princess who has forgotten her true home. To find her way back, she must perform three tasks. In the course of completing her tasks she is confronted with a very bizarre cast of characters including a giant toad, the Pale Man, and fairy like creatures who guide her in her quest.

Del Toro borrows techniques from some of the darker fables to paint a landscape both grim and beautiful. He masterfully mixes fantasy with reality, history with make believe. Make no mistake. This movie has some gruesome elements, scenes of torture and war. In some ways it reminds me of Schindler’s List with Alice in Wonderland mixed in. "Pan’s Labyrinth" earns its ‘R’ rating due to graphic violence and language. Clearly it is not a movie for children, but rather a fairy tale for adults

Like so many movies of today, Del Toro casts religion in a bad light by having the clergy in league with the villains (certainly not without historical precedent). It is a shame that the message of the gospel is so often distorted by people who claim to embrace it. But even with that, the film is fraught with Christian symbolism: a fall from grace, the shedding of innocent blood, childlike faith, sacrifice, selfless love, and, ultimately, redemption-"Pan’s Labyrinth" has it all. Truth be told, this parable has profound spiritual implications. Though Pan’s Labyrinth is not allegorical in nature, C.S. Lewis would have probably been right at home with people who appreciate this film.

“In darkness there can be light." – Pan’s Labyrinth

"Pan’s Labyrinth" is in Spanish with English subtitles, but don’t let that keep you from an epic viewing experience. The film is visually stunning, with scenes so hauntingly beautiful that they stayed with me long after leaving the theater. "Pan’s Labyrinth" has won three academy awards (best cinematography, best art direction, and best makeup). The soundtrack, by Javier Navarrete, compliments the movie perfectly. I highly recommend this movie. "Pan’s Labyrinth" is a powerful and deeply moving film. Take a journey that will make you believe.

“Innocence has a power evil cannot imagine." – Pan’s Labyrinth

Resources for Pan’s Labyrinth
http://www.panslabyrinth.com/panslabyrinth.html
http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/2006/panslabyrinth.html