Pan's Labyrinth

[Song_of_Shadow]

I saw that this had come up on another thread, so instead of going way off topic there, here it is.

So, who saw it? What'd you think?

I love foreign-language movies (here in the USA), and really didn't know what I was getting myself into judging from the trailers.

I thought the movie was well made. I liked it, I didn't necessarily enjoy it though.
It was like Life is Beautiful, but on acid.

[Albert]

Dark and cruel, but very well made, and visually excellent. It's the first time I've actually noted after seeing a movie that the lighting was great. The only thing I didn't like was the sound effects, which were loud and overdone (a single bug sounding like a swarm of crickets, a guy dismounting from a horse sounding like an explosion in a leathergoods store etc.) but the musical theme was excellent. Also the way you couldn't really decide for yourself at the end of the movie what had really happened, and what was all in the girls head was great.

And, who can resist this guy?

[Pheros]

I liked it...a lot.

I didn't realize it was in Spanish until the movie had started and the opening credits weren't in English...so, fair to say any expectations I had about it vanished right then.

I thought it was a well made film with a good story, especially for the fantasy-thriller genre.

I'd highly recommend it, and even be willing to pay $9 to see it again...

Joe

[Nifelhein]

It is not being shown here yet but that is one of the few movies i am expecting to see this year, I will see others but that one I am waiting to be released, I already knew it was not American, but that is not an issue for me, Hollywood is not the only one able to do great movies, but often is the one with enough money to make them spectacularly well done.

[Pheros]

Oh no no, don't mistake what I said.  I anticipated it to be a mediocre Hollywood "let's cram as much special effects in as possible" type movie.  As soon as I realized it wasn't Hollywood, I went in with a completely blank slate...and it was exceptional, well exeeding any expectations I had for it before I knew it was Spanish.

[Song_of_Shadow]

I thought it was a well made film with a good story, especially for the fantasy-thriller genre.

I wouldn't call it 'fantasy-thriller'.
It would be more historical-fantasy-morality play
It's a movie about the horrors of Fascism, with Fantasy as a way to escape them.

[Bleak Knight]

I want to see this movie so bad.

[Pheros]

Ok, fair enough...I see your point.  It had a pleasing level of suspense and tension, which was the only reason I said "thriller"...but I guess your description works better than mine...

[Albert]

I want to see this movie so bad.

Even if you won't be able to see it in Nicaragua I'm sure some of us will be buying it on DVD, so you can watch it with us once you get your sorry self back to the motherland.

[Neo]

I bought the DVD and I have to say I wasnt expecting much, many of the subtitled foreign films that have been hyped to date (Night Watch and Host spring to mind) have been pretty disappointing.  But this was actually very, very good.  The actors (and actresses) including the little girl were first rate and very believable.  The effects were very well done for a non hollywood movie.

A fairy tale with a twist foreshadowed by some events happening in the real world around thye characters that are very grim, that i'd recommend to any who have not seen it and dont mind subtitled films.

I especially like the way the ending (no spoilers) is open to a certain amount of interpretation...some find it sad, some find it happy.. a clever use of story telling where we are each able to fill in the blanks and have it turn out as we ourselves would prefer.. very clever indeed.

[arnon]

I saw it a couple of weeks ago.

I was actually expecting it to be good, as a good friend of mine praised it... and i wasn't disappointed. Acting, directing, camera, and visuals... everything great.

Highly recommended for anyone who still hasn't seen it.

[samwise7]

I'm actually a big fan of independent movies, and odd ball films.  I love this movie.  I loved the Faun's voice, I even think the spanish words added to me liking it.

If I get some motivation, maybe I will copy and paste my big list of weird and offbeat movies that I like in a new thread.

[Bleak Knight]

I have now seen it. Being able to understand at least 50% of what they said was a cool plus. Also, hearing European Spanish versus what I've been learning lately was cool. Very, very different. A lot more so than American vs British.

Also, outright awesome story, very good actors, nice scenes, shots, lighting, and sweet special effects. A lot better than Night Watch.

[InTheDark]

I saw that this had come up on another thread, so instead of going way off topic there, here it is.

So, who saw it? What'd you think?

I love foreign-language movies (here in the USA), and really didn't know what I was getting myself into judging from the trailers.

I thought the movie was well made. I liked it, I didn't necessarily enjoy it though.
It was like Life is Beautiful, but on acid.

I have not seen it yet but am interested.  It looks like it is a well made foreign film as you said.  I will wait for it to come out on on demand so I can watch it from home.  Actually it might be out now.  Any chance of that?

[arnon]

It's almost 5 years old, so i suppose so.

[Pheros]

Yeah, I have it on DVD, so it should be available on instant watch.   You're really digging deep in the archives IDT...heh heh.