Pan's Labyrinth

[zustifer]

Pan's Labyrinth, Guillermo del Toro. Jan 14th, 4:15 pm. View count: 1.

I'm going to keep this spoilerless, because it's still in theatres and all.

I don't think I can quite agree with optic's assessment that Pan's Labyrinth is something Gilliam could ever make; his darkness is not nearly so unflinching and visceral. It's more existential/mental, really. But the comparison should definitely remain, as the whole fairy tale + real life marriage is pretty Gilliam-friendly, I completely agree.

This is a really well-done movie. The fantasy/reality line is well-walked, and all the characters are realized to a good level. It's sort of messy and confusingly motivated in some spots, but I think this is okay. I probably need to see this again, because it is dense and interesting, but I shrink somewhat from the idea of doing so because of the dark, dark violence. Del Toro is not afraid of showing violence. There is no last-second cutting away, and almost no blocked views. There is also no balancing humor.

I will close with some stuff a lady sitting near us said, that chmmr caught after the movie: "It's so violent! It's not appropriate for kids at all. But the brother was so cute."
This is more depressing than the movie, and also much less interesting.

Comments

[jwgh]

I've heard good things about this movie (Mark Kermode loved it, while describing 'Santa Clause 3' as akin to tertiary syphilis).

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be playing anywhere within a half-hour drive from here; still, I should make an effort to go see it early next week if it's still around. It sounds like this really benefits from being on the big screen, yes?

[sanspoof.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'd say see it in the theatre if possible.
It's only playing in like three theatres here, too; I don't know why it's getting such a crummy release. The house was pretty full when we went though (sunday matinee).

[optic-options.livejournal.com]

I never said that it was the kind of movie Gilliam could make, but the kind of movie Gilliam wishes he could have made (especially after seeing Tideland, blah). But yes, quality.

As to the lady... did she not look at the rating for the movie? Last I checked it wasn't exactly rated G. People like that need to shut the fuck up (also those that complain about M rated games being violent).

[sanspoof.livejournal.com]

Oh, okay, sorry; well, take away the brutal beatings and whatall from the premise and I agree witcha.

I do not know. Although I am beginning to suspect that people _don't_ look at the rating all that much. I wonder what's up with that.

[wasta.livejournal.com]

It hasn't even _opened_ in Portland yet. But I've been wanting to see it, since I heard Kermode's review. (I think he and I share the same nasty streak, but he's a lot more clever and a lot more British).

It opens this weekend, so I am going to try and see it in the next week. Not looking forward to the violence though.