Saturday, January 20, 2007

Pan's Labyrinth

This movie is in limited release, and might be hard to find in the theatre, but it would be my new pick to get the Best Picture Oscar if it's nominated -- not that I will have seen all the nominees. What it's about is going to be a matter for individual interpretation, and it's very complex. I think it's about the things that people do to survive the worst kinds of hardship, and by survive I don't necessarily mean just physically. How we treat each other on this planet will determine how we are remembered by people who knew us or possibly by written history (although both types of legacy tend to have their own legs).

I would go so far as to say that this movie is not a Fantasy as it is generally marketed. Just my opinion, and most people will not likely agree with me (they never do) (what's new?). It is cold, hard reality. Adults and children have different ways of escaping, redeeming themselves, and helping others. That's why I say it's not a Fantasy, although there is Fantasy there. I would classify it as a War movie instead. If you see this one, you may come out of it with something completely different. That's part of the brilliance of it. Oh yes, and it's rated R... and really not for kids.

[website] [IMDB] [Rotten Tomatoes] [Watch trailer] [Austin Chronicle interview with Guillermo del Toro (former Austinite)]

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3 comments:

christopher higgs said...

I like what you say about it being more a War movie than a Fantasy. I, too, really liked this flick.

Me said...

I'm gonna have to depend on the comments on this one, until it comes out on vid. We so seldom go to movies anymore. It's a 45-minute drive to Austin, and country living is just downright seductive, so we have gotten in the habit of waiting until they come out on vids, then making a trip into town and picking up like 12 movies AT A TIME.
Girl, I am telling you, you should be writing headlines. At my place, with your comment about the "sore" eagle, I just lost it. And if you ever have a few minutes to spare, and just want to laugh yourself into exhaustion, actually click on the YouTube symbol and go and read the 4 PAGES of comments under that vid. OMFG!! HILARIOUS stuff.

Michael Bains said...

(they never do) (what's new?)

LOL! Well now, your review is certainly compelling enough for me to find that out. It does look interesting.

Thx