Rated: R
Running Time: 112 Minutes
Year: 2006
Boobs: Zero
One Sentence: This movie is not in English.
You might be shocked to hear this movie is in Spanish. It almost slipped by me, but then I became suspicious when I could not read any credits, then I was almost 100% sure it wasn't in English when everyone was speaking Spanish. I know one would think with all the hype and the acclaim and marketing, they might give a hint that it is in Spanish, or do something to make you aware. They didn't. I don't mind it. I just was not prepared for it.
The movie itself is far darker and not the Jim Henson production we all suspect or hoped it would be, based on what the marketers have given us as promotional materials. A post WWII story about a girl and her new father and their life hunting down rebels in the forest. This tale while good, does not have David Bowie, singing goblins, or anything of the sort, it is shrouded in evil and despair, throughout the real world and the underworld of Pan's Labyrinth.
Executed with perfection, being in Spanish is only a minor issue, as we can not view the amazing scenes without looking down to read what was said. The story line is given to us with style, wonder and power. The acting seems to get you at your core and feel what is meant to be felt. What that means is that when there is evil, you feel that evil and in the end, this movie, can leave you alone, sad and cold. If you can get over that, and are willing to take the trip, it is a fine movie, and worth the netflix add. It while not the pure fantasy movie I was expecting did not leave me disappointed, maybe a bit sad, but not disappointed.
