Just saw this movie last night, and I'm still digesting it. Very, very good, go see it. Guillermo del Toro is always brilliant, but I enjoyed this the most of his work. It's one of those rare films where everything clicks into place and is believable. Loved loved loved it. See the composition of the shot above? The whole film is like that, stunning. It is also very dark and has one of the most terrifying monsters I've ever seen:
A picture cannot fully convey the horror of this thing. Or the coolness of the special effects that created it, not to mention the room behind it which is really incredible. I have no idea how much of it was created and how much blue-screened, which is great! del Toro was smart enough to allow things to be dirty or torn or whatnot, so you don't get that give-away perfection that you normally have with computer work. I'm pretty sure this guy is just really, really hungry, but ewww . . . scary.
There is no shortage of horrifying violence and gore in this movie, but I think the way that it is portrayed is important - no pulling punches, just the horror of death and blood. I think some of us need to see that and understand how lucky we are to live in the places and times that we do. And to remember that you have to fight to preserve that freedom as well. It is 1940s Spain . . .
Guillermo del Toro kept a wonderful sketchbook full of ideas and images. You can check it out at the Pan's Labyrinth website. A fairytale for adults, indeed.
1 comment:
this movie seems way to creepy, visually. i don't think i would be able to sleep very well, afterwards.
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