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Pan's Labyrinthe
Jan. 28th, 2007 05:42 pmOn Friday night, ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cjlasky and I had sushi and went to see the flick Pan's Labyrinthe by Guillermo del Toro from his original screenplay. As you may or may not already know, and if you don't know you probably don't care (which I completely understand, feel much the same way at the moment) - Pan's Labyrinthe is nominated for several Oscars amongst them: original screenplay, best foreign language film, best cinematography, best makeup, best art direction, and best original score. And yes, I'd say it deserves all those nods, and should win at least a few of them - specifically makeup and art direction, if not screenplay and film.
The movie reminds me a great deal of some of Neil Gaiman's works such as Neverwhere and Mirrormask, and to a degree, some of the Japanese Anime filmmakers - behind works such as Howl's Moving Castle, and Grave of Butterflies. Yet, it is far darker than those films and at times bleaker. It is also more horrific. Not a movie for the easily squeamish, I shut my eyes at different points, unable to watch what was portrayed on screen. Cringing away from it in both horror and digust. Yet it is at the same time a beautiful film in the same way gothic art can be beautiful. Each bit and piece, detailed, and perfectly rendered. Flawless.
( Review and analysis of Pan's Labrynthe - Cut for MAJOR Plot Spoilers, also a major plot spoiler for the last episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5. Only read if you have seen the film. Do not read if you are planning on seeing it and do not wish to be spoiled. )
Pan's Labyrinthe may well be amongst the best films I've seen in a while. It is certainly the best I've seen so far this year, which is saying something - considering the last couple were nominated for awards as well, and just as thought provoking. But unlike Notes on A Scandel and Dreamgirls, Pan's Labyrinthe feels flawless in its execution. Granted it is not an easy film to watch and not necessarily "enjoyable", but it does haunt long after the final credits and plays with the mind. Not a film for children or the squeamish, nor escapist fare. But definitely worth the price of admission.
[Updates: *changed as a response to comments below. ** clarified in response to comments below. Sorry for any errors, while watching the film, I was somewhat distracted by real life events in my own life that had happened earlier in the day that obviously took precedence. So may have missed a couple of bits and pieces. It's a film that begs to be re-watched, but due to the graphic violence and harsh imagery, not one I think I can. Another point, the film is murky in places and I think flawed - in that it is not always clear who the rebels are, this may be due to the three points of view, but it is also due to Del Torro's preoccupation with art direction in my opinion.]
cjlasky and I had sushi and went to see the flick Pan's Labyrinthe by Guillermo del Toro from his original screenplay. As you may or may not already know, and if you don't know you probably don't care (which I completely understand, feel much the same way at the moment) - Pan's Labyrinthe is nominated for several Oscars amongst them: original screenplay, best foreign language film, best cinematography, best makeup, best art direction, and best original score. And yes, I'd say it deserves all those nods, and should win at least a few of them - specifically makeup and art direction, if not screenplay and film. The movie reminds me a great deal of some of Neil Gaiman's works such as Neverwhere and Mirrormask, and to a degree, some of the Japanese Anime filmmakers - behind works such as Howl's Moving Castle, and Grave of Butterflies. Yet, it is far darker than those films and at times bleaker. It is also more horrific. Not a movie for the easily squeamish, I shut my eyes at different points, unable to watch what was portrayed on screen. Cringing away from it in both horror and digust. Yet it is at the same time a beautiful film in the same way gothic art can be beautiful. Each bit and piece, detailed, and perfectly rendered. Flawless.
( Review and analysis of Pan's Labrynthe - Cut for MAJOR Plot Spoilers, also a major plot spoiler for the last episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5. Only read if you have seen the film. Do not read if you are planning on seeing it and do not wish to be spoiled. )
Pan's Labyrinthe may well be amongst the best films I've seen in a while. It is certainly the best I've seen so far this year, which is saying something - considering the last couple were nominated for awards as well, and just as thought provoking. But unlike Notes on A Scandel and Dreamgirls, Pan's Labyrinthe feels flawless in its execution. Granted it is not an easy film to watch and not necessarily "enjoyable", but it does haunt long after the final credits and plays with the mind. Not a film for children or the squeamish, nor escapist fare. But definitely worth the price of admission.
[Updates: *changed as a response to comments below. ** clarified in response to comments below. Sorry for any errors, while watching the film, I was somewhat distracted by real life events in my own life that had happened earlier in the day that obviously took precedence. So may have missed a couple of bits and pieces. It's a film that begs to be re-watched, but due to the graphic violence and harsh imagery, not one I think I can. Another point, the film is murky in places and I think flawed - in that it is not always clear who the rebels are, this may be due to the three points of view, but it is also due to Del Torro's preoccupation with art direction in my opinion.]
