I just got done watching Pan’s Labyrinth. Very, very good. Those who are unacquainted with the movie should go in knowing two things. First, though it is a fairy tale, this movie is most assuredly not for kids. There’s some profanity, and there’s more than a little bit of fairly graphic violence. This is a fairy tale for grown-ups. Second, don’t watch it if you don’t like subtitles. The movie is in Spanish, and is subtitled; I could be wrong, but I don’t think there’s an English language track on the DVD.

For those who can get past those two things, you’re in for a real treat. Pan’s Labyrinth is visually arresting, emotionally evocative, and expertly weaves two narratives together into a single, cohesive story. Half the story takes place in a grim, cruel real world, while the other half takes place in a much more vibrant, but no less cruel, fairy tale. The movie is full of striking visual elements and interesting characters, and is bittersweet right up to its conclusion. Highly, highly recommended.

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