We went to see Pan's Labyrinth. I really liked it, but I think a lot of people were really put off by it at the showing we attended. It's very violent since it takes place amid the struggles in Spain against the Fascist regime during World War II. It's not that fakey horror movie gore type of violence. It's very real and very brutal. I think that was what got to people the most. A lot of people can handle the fakey horror movie gore, but face them with violence this convincing and many of them will balk and react badly. I could tell from the reactions of the crowds coming out from the previous showing and by the chatter of the crowd we watched with that many people found the film disturbing, but fascinating at the same time. It was obvious some people just didn't get it and chose to brand it a "propaganda film". I fail to see how that's so, but the guy who said it didn't seem too bright. I think another thing that may alienate this film from the "common man" is the fact that it's foreign language (Spanish) and thus "one of them there readin' movies" with subtitles for your average American. Heaven forbid you have to read at the movies. *smirk*

   Both the fantasy elements and the real world elements of the story were wonderfully constructed. The character design on the faun was just... well, words don't come to me that are adequate. It reminded me a lot of some of Brian Froud's darker works. The creatures were also very real and believable.  I don't want to give away too much, so I'm not going to get too specific.  I'd heard someone saying on a board somewhere that it was a very Pagan movie. Not so. It has nothing to do with Paganism. Does it make it less of a good movie? No way!  This is one I will definitely add to the purchading list when it's available.

     Overall I give this 5 stars with the warning that it is seriously NOT for the squeamish or faint of heart. One thing that bothered me was that there were people taking KIDS into this movie. In the crowd coming out there before our showing was a little girl who looked absolutely terrified and clung to her mother for dear life. There were several other children in tow who looked equally shell-shocked. This movie is decidedly NOT for children. Please don't be moronic and take your kids with you if you want to see it. It WILL give them nightmares. I think even some of the adults who have watched it will have nightmares.