Pan’s Labyrinth

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006): Sergi Lopez, Ariadna Gil, Maribel Verdú, Guillermo Del Toro

I was hugely impressed by The Departed, but without a doubt, Pan’s Labyrinth is my favorite movie of the year so far (I’m counting it as a 2006 movie in this case). Some of the haunting imagery is still with me, particularly the Pale Man, which might be one of the most delightfully horrifying figures I’ve ever seen on screen. The movie’s historical engagement and the fantastical element blend seamlessly together without being a heavy-handed metaphor. Don’t think you can take kids to this just because it involves fantasy, because it’s incredibly dark and includes some grisly torture scenes. But if you’re old enough to be able to control your nightmares, definitely see this one.