Has anybody else seen this movie? I saw it last night and it was absolutely amazing. The previews were kind of deciving which made it appear that there was more magic and fantasy to the story than there really was. Despite that, I still put it as one of the greatest movies I've seen in a long time.

It centers around Spain in 1944 where a little girl and her pregnant mother move in with the mothers new husband, who happens to be a Facist commander of the army. The little girl (Ofelia) encounters what looks like an insect, but it transforms itself into a fairy (don't worry, not your typical tinkerbelle fairy ) and she follows him to a Labryinth where she meets a Faun who tells her of her colourful past, and tells her of 3 tasks she must fulfill before the full moon.

If you have the chance to go see it, I highly recommend it .

Heh, believe it or not, I was going to resurrect the old Pan's Labyrinth thread (over a year old now) to comment on this film. I just saw it today, and must agree on it's complete awesomeness. I don't really want to give away too much for those who haven't seen it, but I will say that this is definitely not a fairy tale for the kiddies. It is dark, demented, and altogether twisted. The musical score was just perfect - sublime, atmospheric, simultaneously chilling and beautiful. The best part though, I think, was that you were never quite sure how it would end or what would happen next.

This is a must-see film, and I was mesmerized by it. It's been a long time since the theatre has been so quiet on the conclusion of the film.

If anyone else has seen this movie, it'd be great to hear your experience of the film.

Yes, it definately wasn't a predictable ending sort of movie. I loved the dark fantasy concept that had a different ending to it.

A wonderful movie it was awesome the way it was filmed and the wow the cast were great.
I was thinkint this would make a great kids movie [spoiler]Til that bottle scene wow that was shocking. Also the whole slit mouth thing was icky[/spoiler]
But a few scenes of violence were a bit much for kids eyes

Great make up great direction if this doesnt win the best foriegn film oscar ill slap an oscar or something

I saw this today, and I thought it was incredible. I enjoyed everything about it.

I agree it is a nice fantasy film and a good one since LOTR

not sure if this is a spioler free thread but i'll put the tags anyway

Unpredictable lol
[spoiler]
Well maybe not totally predictable but as most children fairy tales go unselfishness is no way a mind blowing came out of nowhere ending. I somewhat rolled my eyes there, cause I was not sure if this is just a simple movie or is there some deeper meaning it. I would say the film is more style then story, its not failing just an observation.

My only complaint is the WWII and fascist background was probably unnecessary or it was not represented well as an antagonist, there was not much conflict between the Captain and his fascist values with the supposed innocence, good will and justice the underground kingdom/Ofelia represents. We didn't even know fully what she represented until the end.

The mother/queen are they supposed to be the same character?[/spoiler]

[spoiler]yes they are well at least it seemed so [/spoiler]

Thanks. I've already seen it, but I think the tags would be helpful for those that haven't. No point in not being cautious.

I for one was also thinking kids movie, [spoiler]also until the bottle-in-the-face. Full-on.

I suppose I could have foreseen a happy ending - come to think of it, is that what you would describe as a"happy ending"? Mercedes didn't seem very happy to me. But I've been watching a few movies based on Norse mythology, and most of them don't end happy, so I guess I thought this would just be an all-round downer of a film. I still stick by my original statement. Because it was such a sombre film, I'm not sure if movie-goers were really lookign for a happy ending, despite its fairy-tale elements.[/spoiler]

My final comment has to be "WOW" of course, still. i'm in awe of this movie.

As for the question: [spoiler]The mother/queen are they supposed to be the same character?[/spoiler] I'd have to say I didn't really pick up on that element at all. I didn't even think that a matter of discussion. Now taht you say it though..... hmm *ponders*

edit: I really like these new quote tags. They make reading threads much more interesting, especially for those who don't want to know what happens

[spoiler]probably happy ending is not a right fit but its closer to happy ending then sad, its probably a contrast between the real world as Ofelia's human mother pointed out and to quote Mercedes "I believed in a lot of things I don't believe anymore" with Ofelia's world of fairies and underworld kingdom of paradise. While Mercedes can't see the Ofelia's world and lost a friend who she could call her daughter she did have a son and saved her people from fascism so in the real world maybe a fair trade in my opinion, she'll get over it maybe.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Th ebottle scene was a shock you should have heard the cry of shock/terror/delight that came from the movie goers.
I still believe the queen and mother are one in the same but a question was raised in another forum is pan a christ or god like figure? I also think the whole stitching up his own mouth beats the bottle scene [/spoiler]

[spoiler]Great I haven't seen the movie and now I want to and I can hardly read anything in this darn thread. [/spoiler]

[spoiler]poor coldethyl[/spoiler]

I was quiet after the movie but certainly not because I was mesmerized. I don't think I have ever squirmed so much during a movie.

Overall I found it to be extremely depressing, the fantasy part of the movie almost seemed like more of a side story to the violence and gore. I personally wasn't impressed. Had I known what it was going to be I would not have seen it in the first place.

I agree with the last post, not about the gore but that it was not such a great film, but thats just my opinion. Personaly i was hoping for a grown up version of Labyrinth, the nutty film with bowie in it, oh well!

I was excited to see this movie when it finally got over here and I was not dissapointed. Very impressive graphics and a nice fairy tale touch. I liked how it mixed with the real world.