Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Writer: Guillermo Del Toro (Screenplay)
Starring: Ivana Baquero, Sergi Lopez, Maribel Verdu, Doug Jones, Ariadna Gil
Plot: In 1944 fascist Spain, a girl Ofelia (Baquero), fascinated with fairy-tales, is sent along with her pregnant mother Carmen (Gil) to live with her new stepfather Vidal (Lopez), a ruthless captain of the Spanish army. During the night, she meets a fairy who takes her to an old faun in the center of the labyrinth. He tells her she’s a princess, but must prove her royalty by surviving three gruesome tasks. If she fails, she will never prove herself to be the true princess and will never see her real father, the king, again.
Verdict: Fairy-Tale Gold Dust
Story: Gothic fairy-tales are few and far between and many people who try to add a dark twist to a fairy-tale end up being dull horrors. This mixes an original story with the horrors of war. The innocence shown by Ofelia during the war times is excellent. The story isn’t just about Ofelia adventure as we also get to follow the difference between the different sides during the war. In conclusion this is a beautiful story that will stay with you forever. (10/10)
Actor Reviews
Ivana Baquero: Ofelia the little girl who is a princess, but only once she completes three tasks, her innocence during the war works to help her adventure look even more fantasy driven. Great performance from the young actress who gives one of the best child performances of all time. (10/10)
Sergi Lopez: Vidal the step father who is also the general of the army occupying part of Spain. Vidal is vicious, clever and will not take prisoners. Lopez is brilliant in the villainous role, as he is only the villain in the war side of the story. (10/10)
Maribel Verdu: Mercedes the lead help in the household, who is also involved against Vidal and his men working with the rebels on the outskirts on the village. Good performance trying to play the good person during the war times. (9/10)
Doug Jones: Faono/Pale Man Faono is the guide through the fantasy world while Pale Man is a dark character in the tasks she must complete. Both great characters, performed very well. (9/10)
Ariadna Gil: Carmen the pregnant mother of Ofelia, who spends most of the film trying to protect her daughter from her new husband. Good performance in the supporting role while her daughter has the adventure.(8/10)
Director Review: Guillermo Del Toro – Great direction from Del Toro creating something that will stick with everyone forever. (10/10)
Fantasy: The fantasy worlds created is dark, beautiful and stand out. (10/10)
War: The story shines because of the war side of it because it goes against the normal fairy-tale story. (9/10)
Settings: Each setting works brilliantly to help the story get the next level. (10/10)
Special Effects: The effects are great creating the world’s Ofelia has to go to. (10/10)
Suggestion: This is something everyone should watch, it is that simple. (Watch)
Best Part: Pale Man scene.
Worst Part: The casual fans will not like the subtitles.
Scariest Scene: Pale Man
Believability: The war side is, while the fairy-tale is an escape during it. (5/10)
Chances of Tears: Maybe a few (3/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: Won 3 Oscars in Achievement in Cinematography, Art Direction and Make Up. Also nominated for another 3 Oscars, including Best Foreign Language Film.
Box Office: $83,258,226
Budget: $19 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 52 Minutes
Tagline: An imaginative gothic fairy-tale for adults set in Spain during World War II
Trivia:Received 22 minutes of applause at the Cannes Film Festival.
Overall: Brilliant Gothic Fairy Tale
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