Pan's Labyrinth

When Stephen King, to many people the ultimate name in horror, goes out of his way to praise a film calling it one of the most fiendish and artistic films he has ever seen, you want to see for yourself. A dark, haunting and disturbing fantasy, Pan's Labyrinth plunges viewers into the world of two kinds of monsters.

On the surface, it's the story of a young girl in a desolated part of Spain where her brutal stepfather is leading a fight against guerrillas in the year 1944. While her submissive mother cannot fight her cruel husband, the girl discovers a stone labyrinth near her new home where she encounters a mythical creature that tells her she's the princess who belongs to this underground world. But to return home and reunite with her father, she must complete three dangerous tasks. Outside her life, the human monster is after the guerillas.

Not for the squeamish, this is a powerful film about testing of innocence, abuse of power and the courage of ordinary people. Mexican director Del Toro is known for his horror films (and Hollywood hit Hellboy) but none comes close in intensity, atmosphere, images and performances to Pan's Labyrinth.

In my book, it is the year's most inventive and emotionally engaging film. It deserves the Best Picture Oscar.

Text: Arthur J Pais | Design: Uday Kuckian

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