Guillermo del Toro's Spanish Civil War-set fantasy/horror hybrid truly is one of a kind; indeed, it's probably true to say that no other director on Earth could have crafted - or gotten away with - creating something so dark and twisted that is also beautiful and romantic in equal measure. And despite its plottings as a war film, Pan's Labyrinth is unabashed fantasy of the highest-order: strange creatures, some terrifying, some adorable, some bewildering, rendered with CG and puppetry, inhabit the movie from top to bottom. And no David Bowie in sight! Whereas many of del Toro's films have emerged as products in already established franchises, Pan's Labyrinth is an original work with nothing to constrain it other than the director's mind; as a result, we get a film that feels lovingly crafted and intimate, the true definition of a personal vision. Though we joked about David Bowie not showing up here, the plot does vaguely resemble that of Jim Henson's Labyrinth: a young girl, Ofelia, must navigate tasks set to her by a mysterious fawn creature; a brilliant fairytale for adults, it's also a masterpiece.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
