Jan 2, 2007 | by John Campea
John Reviews Pan’s Labyrinth
John gives his quick 3 minute review of Pan’s Labyrinth.
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40 Comments, Comment or Ping
Amish Bill
Thanks for the review John. I haven’t heard ANY buzz about this movie before about a month ago. But everything I have heard has been glowing. This will definitely be next on my viewing list. I hope the lack of advertising doesn’t hurt this film too much…
Jan 2nd, 2007
Krintina
Beautiful and wonderful review John. I saw this at a film festival a little while back and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Would you put it on your top 10 list now? Just wondering.
Jan 2nd, 2007
Joel Gustafsson
Good review John. Beeing swedish I’m not sure if I should see it dubbed to english or not, was the dubbing good? Or was it only subtitled?
/Joel
Jan 2nd, 2007
Dan
So will this be added to your list of Best Films of 2006? I’ve been looking forward to it as well.
I’m sorry to nitpick, but I would suggest that you look up the pronounciations of “Guillermo” and “Shyamalan.” :) Heh.
Jan 2nd, 2007
Mozzerino
Good review John! I saw this a few weeks ago and I totally agree with you, this is a fantastic movie that everyone should see…..
…who is older than 16.
Which leads me to a flaw in this review and for this movie this HAS to be said:
Yes, this is a fairytale movie, but not the kind of fairytale movie you show your kids. I can only advise any parent to not show this movie to children under….let’s say 14. It has very graphic scenes and there is nothing fantastic about those.
For example, a guy gets stabbed repeatedly in the face with a broken bottle and you see this in full glory. There is torture, there is blood, there’s very realistic violence all over the place.
So please, go see this movie, but leave your kids at home.
Again John, good review here, but I think you should have mentioned this.
Jan 2nd, 2007
wolf
Great review! I’m Looking forward to this one. I’ve heard nothing but great things.
Jan 2nd, 2007
Jay
Great Review.
Really glad you liked the film, but seriously…
Learn how to pronounce the man’s name before you give a video review of his film.
Think of it like this, The L’s are silent
gui-er-mo
gee- (that’s with a short G like in go not like in gee whiz) air - mo
like a gi, or a karate uniform
Jan 2nd, 2007
Lou_Sytsma
Glad to hear John. This and Children of Men are my most anticipated movies to see. Your reaction mirrors many others whom have seen it. Can’t wait.
Jan 2nd, 2007
Jay
not trying to be a dick or anything but you wouldnt want people calling you Joan or Joe-Ha-Nee or Jim-diddley-do-dad.
I know, I know… you dont care how people say your name, but I just think it’s a sign of respect. You like the man’s work, then pronounce his name correctly.
Be an ass if you must.
Jan 2nd, 2007
jdr
What’s wrong with everyone? This is a decent film at best. Sure, the fantasyparts look great but the other part of the story really didn’t blend that well and sometimes was flat out illogical. There is no structure for either story. Also there was hardly any real development of the background in the fantasy arc.
I dunno, maybe I expected too much, but I fail to see how people can be so uppity about this.
Jan 2nd, 2007
Tina
Actually, in John’s defence, whenever I’ve heard him bein interviewed in Spanish, he’s always pronounced his name the way John said it. Just saying is all.
Great review. Can’t wait to see it! When does it open by the way?
Jan 2nd, 2007
Jarred
Actually Jay, at the TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) they pronounced his name the way John said it. But in defence of what you said, I’ve also heard it the way you said it too. So John, were in at the TIFF? Did you see Pan’s there or did you see it just recently?
Jan 2nd, 2007
Jay
In my defense, the people I’ve heard say it the way I pronounce it were Alfonso Cuaron and Doug Jones in video interviews and I’ve seen it transcribed phonetically in interviews when he was asked the correct pronunciation of his name.
If a guy he’s worked with on 3 films, one of his close director friends and an interviewer who asked the man himself say that’s the way it should be pronounced, then that’s the way I think it should be said. No offense to the MC of that particular festival.
It’s like the latin name Jorge.
It’s not pronounced George, it’s phonetically pronounced “Whore-Hey” with a slight roll of the “R”.
I know I kind of sound like an asshole but I assure you it’s not my intention.
Jan 2nd, 2007
bigsampson
ill just call him G. TORO BUT F YA LOOKS COOL BUT MORE COOL IS THE STORY WOOOOOOOOT GO G.TORO
Jan 2nd, 2007
Servant of Krom
What the fuck? This was an amazing movie (Thank you bittorrent!) and a wicked review. Probably the best review you’ve done so far dude. And all you guys can talk about is squabbling over which way is the proper to pronounce his the director’s name? Talk about the movie and the review!
Jan 2nd, 2007
dark_venmon
i totally agree with you john i just saw this and it was awsome i love it it is such good and a great horror movie.
Jan 3rd, 2007
thesecretsafe
I have been anticipating this movie for many months.
A large group of friends and I have already planned going on the saturday of opening weekend.
With your review and score of 9.5/Routh I was wondering something.
I have never seen you review a movie so well as you did Pan’s Labyrinth.
Your enthusiasm for this movie from content,direction, and the feeling of thinking about this movie for a long time post viewing
seems to be high praise.
Your review did not seem to have any negative commentary for this movie.
Why did you not score this movie a 10?
Jan 3rd, 2007
Oliver
John, be interested to see you review Children of Men, hope you can get out to see it soon. I just wish Pan’s Labyrinth was out in stinky ol’ New Zealand. Last time I checked there was no scheduled release date, poos on face I say to that.
Jan 3rd, 2007
sal
saw this with my girlfriend in November, She blubbed at the end, I had a hard time trying not to burst into tears. It was a beautiful and horrific film (the poachers at the beginning? omg). definitely one of my top films for 2006. Just saw night at the museum the other day, man that was funny, stiller’s done good.
sal.
Jan 3rd, 2007
Gerardo F.
John, I really like these reviews, keep it up! About this movie in particular let me point something out. Guillermo Del Toro did a movie called “El Espinazo Del Diablo” before he even touched Blade or any Hollywood-esque film. I really expected Pan’s Labyrinth to follow this other film’s look and feel and so it has (sorta). I trully recommend people watch “El Espinazo Del Diablo”. It shows Del Toro as great director and the film is really good (nice effects, good story and frightening at times)!
Jan 3rd, 2007
Jay
Hey Gerardo,
That movie is also called “The Devils Backbone” and he actually made “Mimic” before he made that movie.
And yes, it is a wonderful film and I highly recommend it.
I would also recommend “Cronos” or “La Invencion de Cronos” if you prefer, as it is also very good.
Jan 3rd, 2007
coop
when does this movie get a wide release? i cant find it anywhere
Jan 3rd, 2007
Marina
It opens in Vancouver on Jan. 12th so I’m going to assume that the wide release date will be around the same time.
Jan 4th, 2007
Alfredo
Wow!! I just saw the movie and… WOW! My only problem with it is that it’s rated R. I can’t wait for the next movie Guillermo del Toro does only I hope it’s PG.
Jan 8th, 2007
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Jan 25th, 2007
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Jan 25th, 2007
Lou_Sytsma
Better late than never - just got back from seeing this. What a beautiful, magnificent, tension laden, heart breaking movie. Amazing. I loved it.
Jan 31st, 2007
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Feb 27th, 2007
S. A.
I love this film and I can’t wait to own it on dvd
Mar 1st, 2007
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Apr 11th, 2007
Dragonslayer
This is a beautiful film. I don’t care if it is in spanish, it is an awesome film.
One of my favorite movies ever. 10/10
May 14th, 2008
Dragonslayer
The girl, Ivanna Baquero, I’ll admit it, I’ve fallen in love with her.
Jun 26th, 2008
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