Customer Ratings & Reviews

I bought Pans Labyrinth when best buy had it listed as one of the choices for 2 for $30. I had seen the previews to the movie when it came out in theaters but was not too interested in watching a fairy tale movie. I played the movie the day I bought it and have got to say that it was fantastic! Definitely not a fairy tale for children but a must see for any adult who enjoys fantasy movies! The only drawback to the movie is that it is in Spanish and English subtitled (though there is probably an english dubbed version as one of the features, not sure though). Aside from that it has a gripping story unlike any movie I have seen before! The visuals are superb and are only made that much better watching it in 1080p. This has got to be director Guillermo del Toro's best work!

If you are an ADULT fan of fantasy then don't let this film go under your radar simply because it is subtitled. Many a supposed "movie-lover" have passed on films just because they have to read the sub-titles. Don't do it - trust me. This is an ADULT fairy-tale filled with magic and meanness. Inhuman creatures and human monsters. And a little girl who realizes she needs to escape the harsh world she is in and return to the land where she is princess. This movie WILL NOT let you down. The Special Edition DVD is filled with so many behind the scenes extras that you can remain in the world Pan's Labyrinth creates long after the movie itself is over. Extra tidbit: This movie was made as a companion piece to an earlier Guillermo del Toro movie The Devil's Backbone.

This beautiful dark masterpiece come from the mind of Guillermo Del Toro who also brought us The Devil's Backbone, Hellboy, and Blade II. The story centers around a young girl who's sent to the countryside and the viewer is shown the choices she must make to go back to the "Underworld". Fantasy and reality are integrated seamlessly within the film. Del Toro shows no problem switching from one to the other. At times, we even feel that the fantasy world is less cruel than the real world, where the sadistic Captain Vidal is. Overall, this film is an amazing achievement and a great film that will surely stand the test of time. If you're put off by it because it has subtitles, please reconsider. You're missing out!

Even though my con is the movie is subtitled don't let that stop you from watching it. It is a Spanish fair tale and so it is only fair that the movie be in Spanish. The movie has a great cast. I personally have never heard of any of the actors before this movie, but they do a great job in making this movie what it is. The movie has a great plot and story line for the viewer to follow. I would not recommend this movie to be watched with small children. This movie is based during a war and there are a few bloody scenes in this movie that may not be something that a kid should see. This movie over all is a movie that you will enjoy watching and that will leave you speechless in the end.

Guillermo del Toro is an expert on creating a unique surreal world, and captivating you with it. This film is very unique, and unlike any other fantasy film I have seen. It puts me in mind of the really old fairy tales, the ones that were dark, scary, gothic, and did not come with "and they lived happily ever after". This film really defies an easy description. The material is certainly nightmare inducing for young children, and there is a fair amount of nasty violence, but I think teens would likely find it fascinating. If you enjoy fantasy, surreal landscapes, dark tales, gothic fashion and art, get this. You will not be disappointed.

Pans Labrynth “El Laberinto del Fauno” is a political statement on the absurdities of war, and demonstrates the possibilities of innocent fantasies even during these tumultuous times. Or maybe it’s other way round. It’s a fantasy tale showcasing the beauty of innocence over mature prudence (as we know it). Never the less, a treat to watch!! Director “Guillermo del Toro” hits a homerun in allowing viewers to see the post-civil war spain through the eyes of Ofelia, a young girl who reads fairy tales, lives under the terror of her stepfather, and is trying to complete three tasks (before full moon ) given by a “faun” so she could prove her essence is intact. Thereby, reunite in spirit with the king and queen of underworld as princess “Moanna”. Whether story is a kid’s fantasy or something more, is left open to viewer’s interpretation in a way that could only be done by del Toro. Hats off to a masterpiece!!

This is a fantastic movie! It's like a fairy tale for adults, my wife and I loved it. Some people classify this as horror, I'd say it's more of a fantasy. My wife and I's only complaint, and the reason I gave it four stars instead of five, is because it's in spanish, it's not even English dubbed. And don't tell me it's because he's spanish, He11boy 1 & 2 were in English, so what's the problem. I can understand Asian horrors designed for Asians, and then it makes it's way to us. But, he makes them in spanish, and then puts it out in America. It doesn't make sense and makes a great movie less enjoyable! However, I still recommend this movie, if you don't mind reading. Also, some other great films by Guillermo Del Taco, that are in spanish (for some dumb reason), are The Orphanage and Devil's Backbone.

I enjoyed every mesmerizing and horrific minute of this film. Watching Pan's Labyrinth delivers the joy of seeing a well-made film and a darkly beautiful fantasy brought to life. This film, created totally from the imagination of del Toro, feels like it could have been adapted from some classic literary work. Furthermore, the cinematography, music, costumes, sets, makeup, and special effects are all top notch. I can't wait for the DVD release so I can focus on the visuals and less on the subtitles. Thank you del Toro!

A beautiful, elegant story that takes you into the mind of a small child with outstanding visual effects. It not only captures authenticity of the era and location, but it also shows you culture and life in other countries and other time periods. I am not fluent in Spanish. I don't speak a word of it, but with English subtitles, you almost forget its in another language. The movie is like Alice in Wonderland meets A Beautiful Life. It mixes warfare and imagination with an unforgettable plot. It's worth every penny.

**** / **** Guillermo Del Toro carved himself a nitch in the fantasy genre with this instant classic about a girl confined at a military post headed by her fascist stepfather Captain Vidal. She is soon befriended by a faun who tells the girl of her ultimate destiny and what she must do to reclaim herself. From the performances to direction all are first rate.A must see film.This is considered a sister film to Del Toro's other masterpiece The Devil's Backbone.

I loved every minute of this movie. I have a penchant for adult fairy tale movies like Big Fish, or adult fantasy movies like the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and this movie is high on my list of favorites. The imaginative creatures, the wonderful story, and the excellent performances all meld into one satisfying film. It got its R rating for just a bit of violence and blood, but this is still not a movie for young children. Even though the main message of the film is aimed at children, some of the visuals will surely scare young kids. I guarantee you won't be disappointed by this movie.

This is by far one of my most favorite movies. The director is a genius. It takes fairy tale-like stories into the darker side. It leaves you wondering if everything in the movie did happen like it appeared, or was just a figment of the imagination of the main character. Its not just great for having some friends over but also something that you would watch over and over again. ^^

This is one of the better fantasy movies I've seen in a while. At first glance, you might think that it's a kid's movie, but don't be deceived - the themes here are quite mature (hence the R rating). The movie is in Spanish, but don't let that stop you from seeing it. Like most foreign films, after a few minutes you won't even realize that you're reading subtitles.

An adult fairy tale set in Fascist Spain, this film takes you on a spellbinding journey of psychology terror and awesome beauty. Extremely violent but appropriately so. Highly recommended for adults.

This is a movie unlike any I have ever seen! I usually am not into subtitle movies, but the storyline is very easy to follow in the sense that even if you do not speak the language, you still know what is going on. This is one movie that belongs in any true movie buff's collection- however, keep in mind this is a fantasy movie but NOT a family fantasy movie.

Terrific picture and audio quality. A top notch effort from Guillermo del Toro, this fantastic film plays out like a fairy tale for adults. It is quite scary in parts and not suitable for children, but an absolute must-see for everyone else. It is sub-titled but you forget about that pretty quickly. Definitely recommended.

First of all, this movie is not for children. There is plenty of gore and violence. However, if you have the stomach for blood and dismemberment, you will find this to be an interesting fairy tale set in Spain around WWII. My biggest complaint was that the movie was promoted as fantasy, but the balance ends up being about 2/3 Spain and 1/3 fantasy world. Also the audio is all in Spanish, but the English subtitles don't really get in the way of enjoying this artistic and moving film.

I have been a big fan of this directors work for a long time and it was kind of neat to see some of the themes used in his later works like HellBoy 1 and 2, explored in this early work. Del Toro has a window open into his unique fantasy world that he lets us all look into and marvell.

The Fairy tale for adults, it was great and the costumes are very good, the fact that it was in Spanish (and that i am not 100% fluent in Spanish) i had to turn on the sub-titles, but this movie was so good i forgot that i was reading for 2 hours.

When I heard that this movie had subtitles I was hesitant to watch it. Nevertheless I did. Guillermo del Toro has outdone himself with this visual masterpiece. The subtitles don't even bother you because you get entrenched in the quality of the story and acting. A must have for a fantasy fan.