After hearing about it for years, I was pleased when The Devil's Backbone (2001) surpassed all my expectations. Being very lucky in having a Del Toro box set thanks to Red-Barracuda from this site,I decided to enter the labyrinth.
View on the film:
Returning to Spain after five years to conjure up a "Sister" film to The Devil's Backbone (2001-also reviewed) writer/directing auteur Guillermo Del Toro (GDT) reunites with cinematographer Guillermo Navarro and turns the clockwork of a pocket watch to a continuation of the recurring themes and motifs across his works.
Stating in the audio commentary that he "Never wanted the camera to be settled" and also to continue from Backbone in setting the title largely in a single location, so it can act "As a microcosm to this stage of the Spanish Civil War." GDT crosses the line between fantasy and reality with highly stylised wipes moving in synch to drifting panning shots, which along with creating a page-turning sheen,also spins a fittingly unsettled atmosphere, as Ofelia drifts to follow the demands of the Faun, whilst also drifting out of sight from Captain Vidal.
Enchanting with a death and rebirth bookend shots,GDT continues to build on the amber colours of Backbone, with the brooding amber lights emphasising the harsh, colourless reality Ofelia is in under the rule of General Franco,which is sharply contrasting by the lush, green magical realism unveiled in Ofelia's encounter with the Faun, which GDT subtly casts out to the republican rebels coming out of saturated green lands to fight for freedom.
Reuniting with GDT, Doug Jones gives wonderful performances as Fauno / Pale Man,with GDT wisely deciding to stick to practical effects rather than CGI, giving Jones the chance to keep the creatures between the enticingly mythical, and the monstrously aggressive. Haunting all in the real world,Sergi Lopez gives a excellent turn as Vidal, whose Fascist viciousness Lopez keeps burning as Vidal inflicts horror on all he sees, with a chilling disregard for any life which is not his.
Entering the labyrinth GDT (who gave up his entire salary,so the film could be made) has built, Ivana Baquero gives a magical performance as Ofelia. Discussed by GDT in the audio commentary that "Choices and consequences" is the main theme he wanted to explore, Basquero superbly expresses the subject in Ofelia's initial wide-eyed excitement at making the choice to enter the fantasy, a choice that leads Ofelia maturing and saying no to the evils of the real and fantasy world, aware of the consequences she will face in finding her own exit from the labyrinth.
View on the film:
Returning to Spain after five years to conjure up a "Sister" film to The Devil's Backbone (2001-also reviewed) writer/directing auteur Guillermo Del Toro (GDT) reunites with cinematographer Guillermo Navarro and turns the clockwork of a pocket watch to a continuation of the recurring themes and motifs across his works.
Stating in the audio commentary that he "Never wanted the camera to be settled" and also to continue from Backbone in setting the title largely in a single location, so it can act "As a microcosm to this stage of the Spanish Civil War." GDT crosses the line between fantasy and reality with highly stylised wipes moving in synch to drifting panning shots, which along with creating a page-turning sheen,also spins a fittingly unsettled atmosphere, as Ofelia drifts to follow the demands of the Faun, whilst also drifting out of sight from Captain Vidal.
Enchanting with a death and rebirth bookend shots,GDT continues to build on the amber colours of Backbone, with the brooding amber lights emphasising the harsh, colourless reality Ofelia is in under the rule of General Franco,which is sharply contrasting by the lush, green magical realism unveiled in Ofelia's encounter with the Faun, which GDT subtly casts out to the republican rebels coming out of saturated green lands to fight for freedom.
Reuniting with GDT, Doug Jones gives wonderful performances as Fauno / Pale Man,with GDT wisely deciding to stick to practical effects rather than CGI, giving Jones the chance to keep the creatures between the enticingly mythical, and the monstrously aggressive. Haunting all in the real world,Sergi Lopez gives a excellent turn as Vidal, whose Fascist viciousness Lopez keeps burning as Vidal inflicts horror on all he sees, with a chilling disregard for any life which is not his.
Entering the labyrinth GDT (who gave up his entire salary,so the film could be made) has built, Ivana Baquero gives a magical performance as Ofelia. Discussed by GDT in the audio commentary that "Choices and consequences" is the main theme he wanted to explore, Basquero superbly expresses the subject in Ofelia's initial wide-eyed excitement at making the choice to enter the fantasy, a choice that leads Ofelia maturing and saying no to the evils of the real and fantasy world, aware of the consequences she will face in finding her own exit from the labyrinth.