LAist: Pan's Labyrinth Disappoints

Godfallen

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:11:34 -0800

"All LAist has ever done or will ever do is call em like we see em" If this is how you see Pan's Labyrinth, then you are blind as a bat. I will take the joy of correcting several of your mistakes, then afterward, ask a favor of you. Mistake 1: "As a companion piece" Please, don't tell people that Pan's Labyrinth is a "companion film". While it may be set in the same time-frame as Devils Backbone, it is not a "companion film" to it. Devil's Backbone and Pan's Labyrinth deal with separate subjects and themes, even if the fantasy aspect is similar. Devil's Backbone is a darker film, more along the lines of The Exorcist, but done in a traditional story telling style. Pan's Labyrinth is a story of choice and innocence, done much in the lines of Legend than anything else. That particular point in history, both temporal and location wise, seems to be very important to Del Toro. "Pan's Labyrinth is all baroque styling and tangential plot turns that bog down a fairly thin skeleton of a movie." Please, get a book of the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales and sit down and read them, then go watch Pan's Labyrinth again. This will help you find all the intricate and subtle devices that are so classic to fairy tales in general. If you can even tell anyone here what is mythological character that the stone in the beginning of the film, represents, then you can have a cookie. "The unrelentingly villainous Captain Vidal (Sergi Lopez) is written and played as such a one-note character it's almost comical; I wouldn't have been surprised to see him rip the heads off kittens with fanged teeth." First consider the position. Here is a man that has gotten respect out of fear, a dictator. Next, consider the time frame. It's pretty much post-WW2 Spain. Men of his type were plentiful, especially in the military. Ripping the heads of kittens with fanged teeth aren't his style. You obviously missed the character completely. He would have tortured the kittens, either for dis-obedience or to see what information they have. If they had neither, he would have shot them...probably several times. "a precocious grasshopper to a nearby stone labyrinth where she meets Pan" You have successfully been measured with this line, and found your knowledge of the film, and basic general knowledge, very wanting. It's not a grasshopper, it's a Stick Bug. Del Toro owns one, preserved, behind glass. They bought a couple from a collector, and breed them so that they could have all the proper reference material for the CGI Stick Bug in the movie. The Faun IS NOT Pan. Pan's Labyrinth is merely the international translation for the movie. In all reality, the Faun is too tall to even be considered a faun by classical mythology. He would be a Satyr. However, is his amazing vision, Del Toro created this aged, tall, and twisted Faun to show the age and power behind the character of the Faun. He was created to look as if he came right out of the very essence of the earth itself. "Events in one world rarely have vital impact on events in the other" You claimed to have seen the film, but with this statement, I really can't see how you even had your eyes open, much less in a theater to see this film. The connections to the real and fantasy world are there from the beginning of the film, and are so EXPERTLY woven by the story telling, I guess you must have missed them....or didn't actually pay attention to the film. "Guillermo del Toro seems too smart to top off such a labyrinthine movie with such a flimsy ending, but Pan's Labyrinth is like an overly rich tiramisu doused with cheap Nestle Quick." Flimsy ending?? Mr. Del Toro has stated, several times, that movies many movies now don't really seem to have a true theme, or plot, because they try to build all these immense, complex people. A story, a good story, is a simple thing at it's root. While you can expand on each point, and create such a complex universe of beings and events, Del Toro takes us centuries back with the way this story is done, with a each side affecting the other, but with a very simple theme and moral ending: there are choices to be made, and not all of them are easy, and sometimes, when you make a choice, there are sacrifices to be made. Would you rather have an ending where the Faun kills the Captain, because an ending like that would have been beyond the typical fodder for fantasy movies. This ending brings a realism to the themes of choice and innocence. Please, if your going to try and be a Movie Critic, then actually watch the movies, and get a feeling for what it really is about, the very soul of the story behind the movie. and as for this comment: "To have a writer actually write about what is lacking in a much anticipated movie is the best thing about criticism and one of the many reasons why millions of people come to LAist each year: because we keep it real." I have to say, that the only reason it seems that the "critic" even wrote this post is to get a response, because she is COMPLETELY oblivious to what the movie is actually about, or the subtle weaving in the movie that are so very obvious to almost EVERYONE ELSE. I am not saying that she has to "follow the masses" but if it's the goal of " keeping it real" that you wish to actually, and honestly, have, then having a movie critic that post a review for shock value so she can get attention....thats not "keeping it real". Thats pathetic.

p59

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 11:31:04 -0800

Pan's labyrinth was a spectacular film depicting the delicate line of sanity and imagination, delving into a world of magic and tragedy. You obviously were oblivious to the intricate symbolism and haunting plot, otherwise you would not have said the word "comical" anywhere in your entire review. I was not depressed by the end as many were, but it's not a happy ending. perfect. it's rarely happened to me before. It should have won the other awards it was nominated for in the Oscars.

hans

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:04:37 -0800

Stating 'Hellboy' as a great movie compared to 'Pan's Labyrinth' makes me wonder how you ever became a film critic. You obviously have no idea what you are talking about. On the other hand, the film may be too Spanish (European) for you to appreciate. I think it was a relief to watch a descent film without the stereotypical happy end. But, hey, that's maybe just me, being the European that I am!

eric

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 11:10:17 -0800

youre an idiot buddy, you just didn't understand the ending. she escapes, but in doing so she had to die. theres an old story that says you must get through a great labyrinth to over come death. the little girl didn't make it. it's sad, but its ok cause she get's to be with her family in the end, in the kingdom of heaven.

Drea

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 14:20:05 -0800

I just got back from seeing this movie, and I can see how the plot is a little underdeveloped. Personally, I think the movie is more metaphorical in regards to innocence and war. This relates to the conflict between whether everything is in Ofelia's imagination or if it's really real. The characters, music, and art of this movie are fantastic. Sure, maybe the plot and motivations are as apparent as his other films, but to me, it does not demote it to a lower level.

Tiffany

Sat, 03 Feb 2007 22:36:30 -0800

In all honesty, I thought this film was magnificent. I've always loved the original, traditional fairytales and I believe this movie did an excellent job at creating something as dark, beautiful and imaginative as it's predecessors. The storyline, characters, imagry and musical score came together wonderfully to create an overwhelming mood and attatchment to the atmosphere. I also will not compare this movie to any of Guillermo's others; this movie deserves to stand out on it's own for what it is; and that's an excellent movie.

SinisterSaint

Sat, 03 Feb 2007 22:32:30 -0800

Paul

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 22:16:24 -0800

HAHA, this is a hilarious review for what is no doubt going to go down as one of the best films ever made in the fantasy/horror genre.

MJoki

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 12:10:58 -0800

You obviously have no idea what you're talking about in this article! I'm not even going to dignify this tripe with a further response.

Liz

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 16:51:45 -0800

I think that more Americans need to study some history before they review historically-based films. This film resounds with much of the same symbolism that occurs in a lot of literature and film about the Spanish Civil War, but manages to use the same symbols in new and heartwrenching ways. As for Captain Vidal's character: he was not one-dimensional; he assumed that others were like him, and he clearly hated himself. I thought his character was well-acted, and you could see the conflict between what he hoped to live up to (the mentions of his father and his preoccupation with his own new son) and the way that he saw himself in the world. And the ending: again, a classic theme of Spanish Civil War literature and film, which is that hope is not dead, it is simply dormant and leaves traces of its passing. Ofelia, a symbol of innocence, dies, but she leaves behind her influence and her example for others. Also, in her fantasy world, she has gone underground (much like the Republican resistance in the Franquista regime) and will live forever in a kind of alternate reality. This movie is about choices and disobedience. Del Toro makes it clear to us that we always have a choice to disobey what we believe is wrong, even if it means our death. Was this movie perfect? No. Not by a long shot. But it was rich with symbolism and it was a movie that made you think, a rare creature in today's movie landscape.

Spencer

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 01:03:38 -0800

i don't agree with you. we are all entitled to our opinions, yes but it sounds like you were just to closed minded to accept the true beauty of the film, i believe that this film was without a doubt Guillermo del Toro's best movie.

Craigusss

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 07:12:34 -0800

i thought that pan's labyrinth was absolutely beautiful. best film i've seen for a very long time, i just didn't want it to end, and when it did i found myself a blubbering mess, lol, and i never cry at movies...

Liang

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 15:32:07 -0800

BTW, congratulations on not being part of the Pan bandwagon. It seems too easy to jump on. I would've too if it wasn't for the fact that it wasn't as good as I hoped it to be.

Liang

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 15:25:37 -0800

I have to say this is the most concise and accurate review that I've read about this movie. I am a big fan of Guillermo's work, but having seen Pan's Labyrinth I feel this is not his best effort as a storyteller. As much as I appreciate the subtlety of the acting, the wonderful art direction, and the grimness of fairytales, the story seems forced and not character driven like the Devil's Backbone. There is absolutely no character arc and we do not see Ofelia the heroine grow as a person as one would expect in any great movie. Instead she's the same person throughout the film. The same could be said about the main villain her step-dad which I hated him so-so. In fact none of the characters seemed to grow despite the actors' best efforts. It is essntial in storytelling that the hero/heroine experiences a personal transformation(not really physical, but more emotional)that shows new resolve and strengthening of the character before the last leg of their journey. The Devil's Backbone has it. Pan's Labyrinth doesn't.

tony

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 17:30:45 -0800

All LAist has ever done or will ever do is call em like we see em regardless of what others "critics" say or write. The headline (which I wrote) is far from outrageous, attention-getting, or intended to raise eyebrows; it's simply a bland summary of a well-written and thoughtful critique. In fact I even apologized to Elina for its blandness after I hastily posted it. If you continue to read LAist, which I invite you to, you will see that we will agree with the consensus on some things and we will *gasp* disagree with the madding crowds on some issues. Infact some LAist writers will omg even disagree with each other. Imagine that! But to assume that any of our posts or any of our headlines are contrived simply to gain attention for going against the grain is baseless, reaching, and flat out wrong. Furthermore, if it's true that so many other critics rave about this film, to have one, this one, that finds some faults in it defeats your premise that it's pointless. There is nothing that is perfect in this world, not even LAist, and certainly not any film. To have a writer actually write about what is lacking in a much anticipated movie is the best thing about criticism and one of the many reasons why millions of people come to LAist each year: because we keep it real. If you would like to write for LAist, feel free to apply, but we would only hope that if you do you will write exactly from your experience and not be influenced by what other critics may or may not have written.

alex

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 16:27:00 -0800

as elina undoubtedly knows, pan's is on numerous movie critics 'best films of the year' lists. to run a headline like yours: 'pan's labyrinth disappoints,' is not 'meh' - it suggests LAist is going to offer some refreshing alternative view contrary to the overwhelming praise for the film. but it's a false promise, the supposed lone voice of dissent that doesn't have the intellectual heft to go against the grain. it's only a poorly reasoned argument founded on a fatuous 'hipper than thou' stance. and to bag on the ending is to not understand it, at all. that's the nail in the coffin of this pointless review.

tony

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 16:55:47 -0800

wait - giving a meh review to a film gets traffic? bring on the meh reviews then! however i dont see how "There's enough in Pan's Labyrinth to make it worth watching, because even on his worst day (Blade II) Guillermo del Toro brings more to the table than 90% of working film directors." is being a contrarian.

alex

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 15:43:45 -0800

elina, despite your desperate attempts to attract traffic by being contrary or punitory, i still think you're an ok person. try to view pan's again with open eyes when the buzz has died down.