Great Film, Nice extras
Added 2/1/2010
This is a fantastic film! It is a Spanish film and there is no English dub. So if you are put off by reading subtitles then this film may not be for you. But you'll be missing out. The extra features on disc two are mostly in english (but some Spanish with subtitles) and are excellent.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Solid on Blu Ray
Added 12/8/2009
For those wondering about the Blu Ray version of Pan's Labyrinth, you may rest at ease. This is not a quick hack job, the transfer was done properly, and the picture (and sound) are superb, even if the DVD was already good looking upconverted.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
|
I believed in a lot of things I don't believe anymore.
Added 11/30/2009
"Pan's Labyrinth" was written and directed by Guillermo del Toro, and made its debut at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. It has been very highly regarded since its release, and the awards it has won include three Oscars and three BAFTAs
"Pan's Labyrinth" opens in 1944, and is set in Spain. Five years have passed since the Spanish Civil War "officially" finished, although there is still a Resistance fighting against the Franco's Falangists. As part of the state's solution, military outposts have been established to deal with the "problem." The film's main character is Ofelia, a young girl who is devoted to reading. As the film opens, she is travelling with her heavily pregnant mother to at one of these military outposts. Captain Vidal, the outpost's commanding officer, is Ofelia's stepfather and the outpost will become her new home. Vidal is as cruel, vindictive and selfish as you'd expect from a Fascist and Ofelia (unsurprisingly) grows to hate him. With her mother desperate to please him and provide a `safe' home, Ofelia's only real ally is Mercedes, the housekeeper. Mercedes, however, is anything but a collaborator : her brother is in the Maquis, and she helps them in any way she can.
Luckily, there is the chance of an escape. A long time ago in a wonderful underground kingdom, a young princess dreamt of blue skies and bright sunshine. One day, she managed to escape her guardians and found a way to the human world "up above". Unfortunately, the brightness of the sun blinded her and wiped her memory. She suffered pain and sickness and, in time, she died. Her father, however, knew her soul would return at another time and in another place and he would wait for her return. When Ofelia follows a fairy into the labyrinth close to her new home, she meets a faun...who tells her she is the princess returned. Unfortunately, she must first complete three tasks before she's allowed to return to her former home. However, from the film's opening scene, you know things are not going to be easy for Ofelia.
Despite the fairytales and mythical creatures, I wouldn't really say "Pan's Labyrinth" it a movie for children - it is quite dark and a couple of scenes are really very unpleasant. In fact, despite the fantasy element, the film's biggest monster is Vidal : poisonous, nasty, vicious and brutal, he barely tolerates Ofelia and views her mother as little more than a walking womb. Mercedes, on the other hand, is everything Vidal isn't - protective, honourable, loving and kind. However, it is an excellent movie overall and - so long as you don't mind subtitles - is totally recommended.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
Fantastic Spanish Movie
Added 11/24/2009
The magic realism in this movie is so touching, you can't help but feel for the little girl struggling to cope with her surroundings. There is one monster in this movie that is so freaky, only a great mind can make up such a thing! A must have in your collection of foreign language dvds!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Must-have for your Blu-ray Collection!
Added 11/18/2009
I have watched this amazing movie before on regular DVD quality, and even then it was mesmerizing and entertaining to watch.
Watching it on Blu-ray @ full 1080p/24hz quality makes it exponentially better to rewatch this mature fairy tale!
Excellent buy, and above all excellent movie!
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
|
Great Film, Nice extras
Added 2/1/2010
This is a fantastic film! It is a Spanish film and there is no English dub. So if you are put off by reading subtitles then this film may not be for you. But you'll be missing out. The extra features on disc two are mostly in english (but some Spanish with subtitles) and are excellent.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Solid on Blu Ray
Added 12/8/2009
For those wondering about the Blu Ray version of Pan's Labyrinth, you may rest at ease. This is not a quick hack job, the transfer was done properly, and the picture (and sound) are superb, even if the DVD was already good looking upconverted.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
|
I believed in a lot of things I don't believe anymore.
Added 11/30/2009
"Pan's Labyrinth" was written and directed by Guillermo del Toro, and made its debut at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. It has been very highly regarded since its release, and the awards it has won include three Oscars and three BAFTAs
"Pan's Labyrinth" opens in 1944, and is set in Spain. Five years have passed since the Spanish Civil War "officially" finished, although there is still a Resistance fighting against the Franco's Falangists. As part of the state's solution, military outposts have been established to deal with the "problem." The film's main character is Ofelia, a young girl who is devoted to reading. As the film opens, she is travelling with her heavily pregnant mother to at one of these military outposts. Captain Vidal, the outpost's commanding officer, is Ofelia's stepfather and the outpost will become her new home. Vidal is as cruel, vindictive and selfish as you'd expect from a Fascist and Ofelia (unsurprisingly) grows to hate him. With her mother desperate to please him and provide a `safe' home, Ofelia's only real ally is Mercedes, the housekeeper. Mercedes, however, is anything but a collaborator : her brother is in the Maquis, and she helps them in any way she can.
Luckily, there is the chance of an escape. A long time ago in a wonderful underground kingdom, a young princess dreamt of blue skies and bright sunshine. One day, she managed to escape her guardians and found a way to the human world "up above". Unfortunately, the brightness of the sun blinded her and wiped her memory. She suffered pain and sickness and, in time, she died. Her father, however, knew her soul would return at another time and in another place and he would wait for her return. When Ofelia follows a fairy into the labyrinth close to her new home, she meets a faun...who tells her she is the princess returned. Unfortunately, she must first complete three tasks before she's allowed to return to her former home. However, from the film's opening scene, you know things are not going to be easy for Ofelia.
Despite the fairytales and mythical creatures, I wouldn't really say "Pan's Labyrinth" it a movie for children - it is quite dark and a couple of scenes are really very unpleasant. In fact, despite the fantasy element, the film's biggest monster is Vidal : poisonous, nasty, vicious and brutal, he barely tolerates Ofelia and views her mother as little more than a walking womb. Mercedes, on the other hand, is everything Vidal isn't - protective, honourable, loving and kind. However, it is an excellent movie overall and - so long as you don't mind subtitles - is totally recommended.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
