Capsule Review: Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Guillermo Del Toro has always shown an affinity for fantasy and strange, dream-like imagery, but here he finally manages to meld the themes with a more personal, dramatic story set during the later days of World War II. Doug Jones, a usual Del Toro player, dons some heavy make-up to play some of the strangest, most fascinating (and sometimes terrifying) creatures to be put on film, and the young Ivana Baquero is very impressive as the 11 year old Ofelia. The two sides occasionally don’t quite fit together, but the film constantly feels like a director really hitting his stride.