El Laberinto del Fauno (Pan's Labyrinth:
This fantasy interwoven with a historical tale about 1940' Spain under the rule of General Franco, is from the abundantly creative mind of Guillermo del Toro. As our tale begins in the reality of Franco's Spain. An up and coming Captain is busy battling the remains of the resistance in rural Spain. For reasons that are not immediately apparent, he is transporting his pregnant wife and her daughter to his remote outpost.
The foreshadowing is clear. The young girl, Ofelia, is consumed with fairy tales, she does not like or trust her step father, and she loves her mother dearly. since her mother is trying to make a new life with this remote and implacable man. The problems are many. The wife is having a troubled pregnancy. The captain makes it clear that he is only interested in the child to carry on his name. The resistance has infiltrated his household and grows stronger.
Ofelia, takes us into the world of fantasy. She follows the path into the Labyrinth and comes to a hole that leads to a grotto. In this grotto she meets the Faun, who tells her that she is the daughter of a kind an loving king and that if she can prove herself, by completing three tasks before the moon goes full, she can return to the underground kingdom and live in happiness.
As our story flips back in forth from reality to fantasy, we are challenged as to which is more frightening of stories. Reality is bad enough with people being tortured beaten and killed, but fantasy produces grotesque and frightening creatures that represent our worst fears
The good wins out over evil, but not without a price. Ofelia is the hero of both stories and as such centers the divergent arch's. Del Toro's active and wonderful imagination is reflected beautifully on the screen. Excellent performances by Ivana Baquero as Ofelia and the deliciously evil Sergi Lopez, as Captain Vidal carry this story from the ridiculous into realm of sublime. This is a must see and I would opt for the large screen if I had a choice, in order to enjoy the special effects to the utmost
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