Get Lost in Pan's Labyrinth: Netflix DVD Review

Every once in awhile you catch that movie that becomes hard to explain to others but has a way of affecting you for a few days. Pan's Labyrinth is that movie.

Parents, this is NOT a fairy tale movie for kids, but it does involve some imagination and fantasy. You'll learn to appreciate the inherent freedom of innocence after watching Pan's Labyrinth. It's also a foreign film, so if you aren't a fan of subtitles this isn't for you. The script isn't overly complicated so I didn't mind reading them.

The story centers around a tween-aged girl named Ophelia in World War 2's Spain. Ophelia and her pregnant mother are traveling to see her step-dad, a captain of the Spanish military (he's referred to as "The Captain"). He's quite the a-hole and the only reason he wants his wife to be there is so that his son can be born in his presence, despite the risks of traveling while pregnant.

Along the way Ophelia- a fantasy and faerie bookworm- sees some old stones and ruins from long ago. She becomes involved in a fantasy and is befriended by a faerie-looking praying mantis and a woodland creature called a faun. The faun tells Ophelia that she's a princess and she must complete a few tasks to secure her life and legacy or she'll forever be stuck with mortal life.

Of course, Ophelia gives in. Her mortal life sucks right about now. Her real dad died long ago, and her step-dad isn't too fond of her in the first place. Meanwhile, there's a war going on between The Captain's regime and some local rebels. Her mother is sick from the baby and all the travel didn't help much.

A lot happens in the movie that sometimes intertwines Ophelia's reality and her fantasy world. Many dark, strange events happen to her and at times you want to cringe. The imagery displayed is top-notch and could compete with any major special-effects studio, despite the movie being filmed in Madrid. Your heart pounds with every task Ophelia tries to complete in order to save her kingdom.

This is an outstanding movie and one of the top ten I've ever seen in my life. It reminds me a little of The Dark Crystal where the fantasy is dark and brooding but still has elements of innocence. I won't give away the ending, but grab some tissue.

Again, I'm going to find a way to get the two-disc DVD. I'm realizing that for some movies, this is Netflix's downfall unless I'm just missing something.