JOURNAL 2.
FOREIGN FILM.


The film Pans Labyrinth is a unique and interesting in its own sort of way. Directed and written by Guillerno del Toro, the film is a fantasy thriller. It is about a ten year old girl named Ofelia who moves to Navarra with her very pregnant mother, Carmen. They move to an abandoned mill in the middle of the woods so Ofelia can meet her stepfather, Captain Vidal. Captain Vidal is a Fascist officer under orders to rid the territory of rebels and he won't hesitate to kill anyone who gets in his way. When they are at the house, Ofelia discovers a secret labyrinth when she follows a flying creature at night. The underground cave is under the control of Pan, who thinks that he knows something about Ofelia. He says that she is the lost princess of this magical place and that she is royalty. To become princess, Ofelia is entrusted to complete three tasks that become increasingly difficult. Ofelia must keep this magical discovery to herself, and doesn’t even bother to tell Mercedes. With amazing special effects, Del Toro tells of a story between good and evil and the interesting things that surround them.

This thrilling film contains a very visually complex set design. Pilar Revuelta is the set designer, who did a great job at designing a set that has very detailed and a very dark mood to it. According to Del Toro's commentary track, when they were making the mill, they had an initial idea of a vertical structure connected to a horizontal structure that looks like basic architecture in the north of Spain. But in the end, they couldn't have the set as they wanted it because the mill they wanted didn't fit the format, so they had to change it the set design. Del Toro's commentary also explained how everything was very simple in the house. There are no paintings, not a ton of color, and most things were kept simple, to keep the set as realistic as possible and to show that fantasy worlds are warmer and more detailed. The set in Pan's Labyrinth was very unique and well done. They enhanced the mysterious mood of the film and provided a very appropriate environment.

Pan's Labyrinth uses an original score to create a perfect sound for the film, and it sounds amazing. The composer for the film is Javier Navarrete. He does a remarkable job at his score and provides us a great experience of the film with his work. A random critic says, "Beginning with a simple lullaby melody, written before shooting to accommodate its performance in the film, Navarrete whisks us up and takes us on a mesmerizing and richly orchestrated journey." These parts of the film, where you can really hear what is happening in the movie is with Navarrete's perfectly done score that plays the melody to make the scene passionate and shocking. The composer was really trying to make the music influence the mood of the scene and for example, opened up the full percusion, which showed subtle horror aspects of the film. The sound took a huge role in putting the film together as a whole.

Pan's Labyrinth a wonderfully thought out film that had a lot of hard work put into it and it shows extensively through the set design and music. Overall, watching the film was a fabulous and captivating experience.