Movies are not just great stories; they could also be beautiful art galleries.
It is impossible to get bored watching beautiful scenes, amazing photography, powerful lines and the most important aspect of watching Guillermo del Toro’s movies, the bizarre creations. Pan’s labyrinth is a story of a little girl from 1944 whose pregnant mother is in a very delicate health situation, and they decide to move in with a very cruel police captain who is the coming baby’s father. This little girl discovers the ruins of a labyrinth in the woods near home, and there, a mysterious pan tells her that she is the princess of a hidden world under the surface. So, to come back, this pan tells her that she must pass three tests and prove she is still the princess of such a marvelous empire.
This movie is the combination of a great fantastical story and realistic mythical creatures in a world bouncing between realness and delusion, which makes impossible not to get in love with the characters and creations, making the viewer feel inside and art gallery which is the most attractive element of the whole film.
The writer Federico García Lorca said that the line between realness and fantasy is as thin as a baby’s hair. It is important to mention that this movie is divided into two dimensions, realness and fantasy, in order to make the viewer feel the experience of being trapped in a dream. The realness comes to viewer through a world in war between francoists and rebels in scenes where rage and blood could be very surprising if the spectator is sensitive, adding some amount of balanced gore which embrace in a wondering atmosphere, asking yourself when is going to be the next impact. But even with the aggressiveness of using blood as a mere tool, Guillermo del Toro always finds the way to make it feel beautiful, showing people the art inside authentic human emotions like fury and hostility.
It is completely known that one of the aspects that makes Guillermo del Toro famous, is his monsters and mind creations. In this movie, he introduces Three of the best: The Pan, The Toad and The Pallid Man, beautiful bizarre detailed abominations presented one after the other in a way the viewer can notice how important these three characters were for the author and the constant impact he wanted to cause on viewers. They are the three master pieces of the author. Director and producer Pete Docter observes that the communication, body language or persuasion tools used in some characters have a great influence on the viewer’s unconscious.
In conclusion, the way Guillermo del Toro organized the pieces inside his film creates the illusion of being walking through a museum, wondering what the next impressive sculpture would be, and keeping the viewer attached to his world. Since the beginning the viewer is literally aware of his intentions of not letting get distracted for a single second, and it is a real pleasure to follow his will. If you have the opportunity of enjoying of this amazing masterpiece I recommend, you will not be disappointed of joining the author through his gallery, a land full of beautiful and magnificent monsters.
References
- Del Toro, G. (2006). Pan’s Labyrinth. España
- Doctor, P., Lee, J. (2018). Pixar, Disney Animation. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on July 23, 2018.
- García Lorca, F. (1928). The gypsy romance. ISBN 9789873926402.