Chux Flix Movie Review Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

For the next film, I once again continued on my list of IMDB's top 250 list for the number 76 entry Pan's Labyrinth.  This film Stars Ivana Baquero, Sergi Lopez, and Maribel Verdu in a fantasy filled story sure to awaken the imaginations of anyone who chooses to accept the adventure. 

Plot: 6/10
    Though I must say, the film in its entirety was very creative; the plot in itself left a lot to be desired.  I Have some trouble giving it too much of a low ranking,  because a part of me wants to see the genius behind film director Guillermo del Toro's attempt at such an elaborate theme and idea.  The plot centers on a young girl, Ofelia, who uses her wonderfully creative imagination to cope with the stressful life she is dealt between her ill pregnant mother and her evil sadistic step father, a general for the Spanish army.  The world fictitious world she allows herself to be pulled into is a welcomed distraction to the reality of a harsh life that surrounds her.  Eventually these two worlds meet as you find yourself asking over and over what is real and what is not, sometimes taking away your ability to actually enjoy the show as a whole. 

Acting: 7/10

    The main character, played by Ivana Baquero, does an absolutely stunning job at providing the character with exactly what the film needs.  Innocence, unsettled attention, and flat out caring force you to fall in love with her like your very own young daughter, trapped in her world of make believe and imagination.  The rest of the cast, well, the opposite.  These characters are forgettable at best, and though Maribel Verdu does a lot with a little in her character of Mercedes, that is exactly what it is, a lot of acting with virtually no results. 

Visuals: 10/10

  This movie, though depressing and somewhat pointless in its plots and story, somewhat makes up for it when it comes to the visual aspect.  This movie is a roller coaster for your eyes, an imagery dream where things you see are things that you will never, nor ever want to, forget. I have never once done a drug harder than Tylenol, but I felt as though I was high and tripping on something. Which I can’t necessarily say was a bad experience.  The visual effects somewhat made up for the poor plot and acting, and also succeeded in reminding me what I was watching was purposely fictional and out of this world.  I feel as though the film makers put a lot of time and effort into the special effects, and it was worth it. It somewhat saved the film as a whole for me.  

Sound: 2/10
        The sound in this film was utterly pointless, I can remember hearing the same disturbing "Mary had a little lamb" distorted theme over and over in the background of each scene,  this, I hope, was not on purpose...yet I suspect it was indeed, meant as a direct strategy of the movie creators.  It boggles my mind how someone can put as much work into the visuals of a film, and put less work into the sound/score of it all. I understand this film was nominated for an Oscar for Music written for a motion picture, but I have no choice but to go out on a limb and disagree with the Academy on this one,  must have been a very slow year, because I just do not see, or should I say hear, it. 

Overall Entertainment:  6/10

  Don’t get me wrong, I have seen worse films, by far.  The "time" button was in use at times, but not as much as other films I have watched, but something about this film just doesn’t sit right with me. Maybe it was the fact that I kept expecting and/or wanting this entire fantasy world to have an explanation.  I found myself waiting to be disappointed by the ending simply being that the little girl wakes up and it was all a dream, which makes me wonder, which is worse, a film where the character wakes up and it was all a big dream and waste of time, or a film where you are disappointed that it wasn’t a dream, and the fantasy world that obviously wasn’t real never was explained?  This type of movie just isn’t for me.  Yes I know some of my favorites such as Wizard of Oz or Star Wars are also movies that aren’t based on real events, but come on,  at least try to bring a little reality into it all.  The only reality of the film was a subplot of war that was concentrated on way too lightly.  Allow me to put it this way,  Some people have said they love this movie,  and it may just be right up their alley, but this isn’t their movie review blog, this is mine, and I sit here with my clear, drug free head and say no thank you, not exactly my cup of tea. 

Chux Flix Rating: 62/100

Favorite Trivia for this film: Stephen King attended a screening of the film and sat next to Guillermo del Toro. According to Del Toro, King squirmed when the Pale Man chased Ofelia. Del Toro compared the experience of seeing King's reaction to winning an Oscar.