I would actually like to own this movie. I don’t think anyone that is capable of satisfaction could complain about how well done the visuals were. They’re absolutely stunning. The amazing visuals in the advertisements were part of what drew me to watch the movie in the first place.

However, such striking visuals when combined with violence, can be quite disturbing since the gore can be pretty intense and realistic at times. There were a couple scenes were I half turned away, but the incident that most disturbed my cousin didn’t bother me much at all. Two other scenes struck me as the most disturbing visually, and as some of the most disturbing in concept. This might bother more squeamish viewers, but I don’t think you should let it scare you off. Just have someone who has watched it tell you when to look away if you can’t stomach such things. And be aware- it is not mindless violence. I mean, I am not saying that the perpetraitors of the violence had a good reason for what they did, BUT I am saying that the movie had a good reason for including the violence. It is PARTLY a war movie (though equally a fantasy movie, I think) and deals with cruel, heartless facists so gore and violence are necessary for realism in a world full of war AND necessary for fleshing out characters. I don’t particularly care for gore- much the opposite- but since it had a point and purpose in the movie, I can understand the importance of including it.

People are right- it’s a dark movie. But why does a movie have to always be light and fun hearted to be good? I can understand that not everyone can appreciate a dark film, but I don’t think it makes it a bad film, merely not everyone’s taste. Some people always want to walk away singing a happy song, laughing, daydreaming lovey dovey thoughts, etc., but if you can find importance and beauty and worth in darker movies, this might be for you.

Some folks have complained that there is too much reality and war based portions that detract from the fantasy segments. Now, the fantasy was another reason I was drawn to this movie. I love fantasy movies, and it was the azing imagery of the fantasy world and the fantasy portion of the story that really drug me in, but before I watched the movie, I knew from the advtisements I’d seen, that the movie was partly based around the war and partly around a fantasy world. I expected to see parts of both worlds and I think the movie was fairly even in showing both, though perhaps a little tilted. Now, I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of the fantasy world, since I really enjoyed that part of the movie and rather like fantasy, but I knew all along the movie would be divided between the two world, and honestly, I ended up being drawn into the regular side of their world, as well. I wanted to watch both world. If they had added more about the fantasy world, that would have been fine, but I think the real world was an important part of the movie and I personally enjoyed that part of the movie, as well.

It is subtitled, so if you don’t like that, then you may dislike the movie, but I don’t think we can say the movie itself is lacking because of this. Yet, it may not appeal to everyone because of that. Personally, though, I think it made the Faun’s voice more interesting because since it was in a language I was not accustomed to hearing or speaking often, combined with the way he spoke, made his voice less mundane to me.

Finally got around to seeing this after a long time! After all the hype I wasn’t disappointed. It is a touching, sometimes brutal, and beautifully made film. My only criticism is the story became somewhat predictable but this didn’t really detract from the enjoyment of going on the journey as it were.

My eyes were glued to the screen during almost all of the movie. The violent scenes were hard to watch, but overall they fit into the context of the movie.

This movie was choreographed so well. It stimulated all of my senses really well and was very entertaining.

I am still contemplating what deeper meaning the whole movie is trying to portray. If anything it shows a perfect distinction between a world of despair and a world of joy.

also, a lot of you may not understand it so clearly because maybe you are not hispanic and dont understand the culture.

honestly the best movie ever. it really doesnt have any goofs or anything. the translations are perfectly accurate. it tells a good story, and has a good meaning to it.

I liked it. I think it definately deserved the R rating though. I was questioning the veracity of the rating so I went ahead and let my 10 and 12 year old watch it with me. We weren’t ready for it when the Captain’s brutality made itself known. Aside from that and two other parts I think it easily would be PG though. I liked the real world setting more that the fantasy setting, though the artistry was very well done. I loved the use of the old gallic dolmans and shrines.

I was under the impression that this was going to be a fantasy movie. They focused more on the Spanish Civil War than anything else. It wasn’t enough character development with the little girl. They should have used her character to really explore the fantasy realm of the Pan’s Labyrinth. Make her character lost within that realm. Which I really felt they failed to do in the film. She had to do two tasks, and that was it…well, the end with the baby. To me that isn’t fantasy just about a girl with mental problems.

I know the whole movie was about this little girl trying to escape her harsh life, and to make up an imaginary world so she can be happy but I just didn’t care. I had no emotion for it especially towards her in the end. I was like well, she got what she wished for. I was more interested in the war, and to see what the captain was gonna do next. It had the potential of being a very great fantasy film if they would have stuck in that direction.

Pan’s Labyrinth. Most every review I read said it was great, an amazing “fairy tale for adults.” I was expecting something special.

In the end, all it turned out to be was a dark fairy tale – simple story, simple characters, violent. I’m still not clear on the moral of the story – Fascism is evil?

I was hoping for something deeper. I got a mediocre war movie crossed with a few ‘imagination of a little girl’ scenes, stereotypical characters, and cgi that needed some work (i.e., the toad). I did think the production design was great – the faun was simply amazing, and the eye/hand monster was nifty too. Acting was solid to excellent all the way around.

Overall it was a decent movie; I was disappointed, but I would say that it is worth consuming.