by kellie abrahamson kabrahamson1@aol.com
Mexican directors Guillermo Del Toro, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, and Alfonso Cuaron, dubbed the “Three Amigos,” all earned Academy Award nominations for their films last year, bringing Latino cinema to the forefront. The one who took the most statues home on Oscar night was Del Toro’s film, Pan’s Labyrinth, which is now available on DVD.
It’s 1944 and Spain is still in turmoil after their Civil War. Eleven-year-old Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) and her pregnant mother Carmen (Ariadna Gil) end up at a countryside mill where Captain Vidal (Sergi López), Carmen’s new husband, and his army are fighting off rebel insurgents. As the war continues to brew all around her, Ofelia, a girl obsessed with fairy tales, explores her new home and discovers a new world not unlike those in her storybooks. An ancient labyrinth on the property leads Ofelia to the faun (Doug Jones), a wise old creature who seems to think the girl is Princess Moanna, underworld royalty incarnate. In order to prove she is the true princess, the faun assigns Ofelia three tasks, each one more difficult than the last. The tests introduce our young heroine to dangerous monsters, take her to strange new lands and give her magical items to use on her journey and back at home.
The Pan’s Labyrinth two-disc DVD has quite a few extras, though not as many as I had hoped. Disc one has an informative feature commentary by Del Toro and a section for marketing materials including TV spots, posters and trailers. Over on disc two we have a number of featurettes (a.k.a. the good stuff). First is a 14-minute look at the fairytales that inspired the film (mostly Little Red Riding Hood apparently) called “The Power of Myth.” Next is “Pan and the Fairies,” an extensive piece on the costumes, make up and visual effects used to create the unforgettable creatures Ofelia meets along the way. The color palate is discussed in the 4-minute “The Color and Shape” and “the Lullaby” looks at the making of the score and gives viewers a listen to various versions of the haunting “Mercedes Lullaby” heard throughout the film. Next is a look at Del Toro’s process, “Director’s Notebook.” As the title hints, pages from the director’s personal notebooks can be found here with video clips sprinkled throughout. Next is a “Three Amigos” interview with Charlie Rose, which clocks in at around 50 minutes. The disc is rounded out by a DVD comics section which gives viewers a chance to learn more background about some of the fascinating characters. An extra bonus to those who have a DVD-ROM drive: pop in either disc for storyboards, production photos, artwork, the script in English and Spanish and links.
I didn’t catch Pan’s Labyrinth in theaters and, after finally seeing it on DVD, I’m completely bummed that I missed the chance to see this masterpiece on the big screen. There is a reason why this film took home the Oscar for Best Cinematography. From beginning to end Pan’s Labyrinth is visually stunning. The use of color, lighting and camera angles add richness to the worlds Ofelia visits. Visual effects and intricate costumes and make up bring Del Toro’s highly imaginative creatures to life, simultaneously enchanting and giving the heebie-jeebies.
One thing is certain: Pan’s Labyrinth, despite being a fairy tale, is not kids’ stuff. Graphic violence and gore will have many squirming and the monsters are downright terrifying. Both of these are necessary to the plot; they show how perilous Ofelia’s journey is; but no doubt nightmare-inducing for young moviegoers. Any movie that features a faceless baby-eater is best left for the adults to enjoy.
|
EU Critic’s Choice Awards
