FILMMAKER MOVIE REACTION!! Pan's Labyrinth (2007) FIRST TIME REACTION!! 

This film right here is a journey! Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Have a PUNISHER SEASON 2 Episode on Friday and True Detective Season 1 on Saturday Enjoy the day!

I was scared that it might be the dubbed version for a second, then I remembered who I was watching

This was actually the first foreign film I ever watched and that’s when I realized it didn’t matter what language the film was in, a masterpiece is a masterpiece

It's also worth mentioning that Del Toro was offered a huge budget by a major studio on condition that he film it in English, but he wanted it to be as authentic as possible; the film is set in Civil War Era Spain, so he wanted the characters speaking in Spanish. So he had it financed independently instead.

During the monster dinner scene, it is hinted that due to ruining her dress earlier, her mother didn't let her have dinner. And with Ophelia being a kid, her eating the grape makes a lot more sense. Also the monsters roar is literally the screams of the children it ate

For context: this film is set during WWII, when the fascist General Francisco Franco rose to power during the Spanish Civil War with the help of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. These soldiers are Nationalist forces under Franco's command hunting down "rebels". Also, back in the days before Disney, fairy tales were extremely dark, they were meant as cautionary tales to children to avoid the dark places of the world where evil creatures and magical beings were thought to have lived. It wasn't until very recently that fairy tales became the light-hearted drivel we know today. It was also a common trope of these tales that adults could not see these magical beings, only children were innocent enough to do so, hence why the Captain doesn't see the Faun, so it's left up to the viewer to decide, is it real, or is she really just imagining it all? The legendary Doug Jones plays both the Faun and the Pale Man in this. I don't know how fantastical creatures would be portrayed if we didn't have this wonderful man.

This is Del Toro's masterpiece and, in my opinion, flawless filmmaking. And I don't use the term "masterpiece" lightly.

What they were going for with this movie is precisely what you were saying about the two plot lines intertwined; the contrast between the horrible reality and the (made up?) fantasy that the girl was living to escape it all. Wich I find so awesome. It leaves up to the spectator to decide whether or not Ophelia's adventure was real.

The way Del Toro presents violence in his films is something else! Horrific but impressive and captivating nonetheless.

You can definitely have a literal reading of the film. But for me, Ophelia's fairytale is an expression of her imagination to cope with the horrors of the world around her. The movie opens with her reading a book of fairytales. She then sees an insect that looks like the fairy in her book, and from there, she creates a fantasy world in which she can find some kind of escape. And in the end, in death, she is reunited with her father. Also, on a side note, fairytales used to be pretty dark affairs before Disney came along, so Del Torro is really more embracing traditional fantasy here rather than subverting it.

What.. nobody mentions the outstanding portrayal of that douche dicatator by Sergi Lopez. When you hate a character with all your heart, you know the actor behind it outdid himself.

The reason why Ophelia takes food from the table is given in a deleted scene, due to the stress of everything going on around her she hadn't eaten in a while and this is pointed out to her, Del Toro is on record saying that he wishes the scene was not cut.

Guillermo Del Toro has such a way with how his creatures look! He did a great job with this, Hellboy & Pacific Rim!

The greatest movie ever. I wrote an in-depth analysis on this film for one of my college classes (I studied Media Design & Production) and you correctly noted the fantasy elements of this film mirroring Ofelia's real-world situations - it's Ofelia's need for escapism but also her way of processing the real-world horrors around her. I could talk about this movie forever, but some symbolism I love: The toad living in the tree and killing it by doing so mirrors Ofelia's brother killing her mom during childbirth (and being able to prevent it with magical elements like the stones for the toad and the Mandrake root under the bed). There's even the crossover moment when the book Ofelia gets fills with blood just as her mother starts bleeding. The pale-man scene mirrors the scene prior to it with the captain, as you noticed. Having the food on the table is symbolic to the Captain having the stockpile of food, and Ofelia snatching just a small bit of it mirrors the rebels stealing from the stockpile. Also, Ofelia snatching the food ended up with 2 of the fairies being killed. The supplies being stolen from the stockpile ended with the captured soldier being killed as well as the doctor. I'll stop there, but this movie is packed meaningful elements - it's definitely worth researching and analyzing. Thanks for another great reaction video!

I've always said, it's a fantasy film for adults. The real world is beyond cruel, brutal, and violent.

There's a quote from Neil Gaiman: “Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”

I'd highly recommend Devils Backbone from Del Toro, in some ways its a companion piece to Pans Labyrinth. These films almost seem like a brother and sister to me, you'll see what I mean if you watch it. It also gives a little more background to the civil war conflict in Spain and fascism in Europe at the time.

Labyrinth: "a complicated irregular network of passages or paths in which it is difficult to find one's way". Ophelia never enters an actual physical labyrinth, the one she has to wander is a moral one. The Pan gains her trust to the point where she follows his commands, but at last she refuses to hurt the innocent. She found the exit.

Doug Jones plays the satyr Pan, but his schtick is playing incredible monsters. As you mentioned, his costume is mostly practical with some minor CGI for his backwards-bent legs. Most incredibly is that he doesn't speak a lick of Spanish - he memorised the words and scene phonetically and his recital is what you hear in the film!

I never thought of it the way you [James] described it, but it makes absolute sense now: the Captain is parallel to Ofelia, experiencing his own fantasy but as as a twisted foil to hers. Definitely gives some added depth to how they both perceive the world to their bitter ends.

Doug Jones is a well-respected creature actor who plays both the Faun and the Pale Man, he and Del Toro have worked together a lot. He played Abe Sapien in the Hellboy movies, ghost in Crimson Peak, The Asset in Shape of Water, and The Master in The Strain.

I always go back and forth on the ending. Sometimes I'm happy she found a way to escape the horrors of the civil war and see it as a triumph, a private place within herself that couldn't be touched by the captain, but sometimes I'm simply devastated to basically watch the killing of an innocent kid who's only defense is to pretend it isn't happening, because that is an equally legitimate way to read the film too. I think it's most accurate when I feel both at the same time.

YO! I'm so happy you're reacting to this movie. I absolutely loved this movie when it came out and recommend it to everyone who would consider themselves a movie buff.

The eye monster always freaked me out! Sad ending aswell but I guess it kinda mirrors real life in a way.

I still remember seeing this film in theatres. There was a mom that brought her kids thinking it was a traditional fairytale movie, clearly she didn't know what she was bringing them to.

I was looking for a reaction to this movie in this channel not so long ago. Cool to see it finally here.

I enjoyed every minute of your reaction/analysis! This film is a tragically beautiful masterpiece that boldly reshaped the fantasy genre. The themes, colours, visuals, music, costumes, strong female role, EVERY single detail took my breath away. I’m so glad you enjoyed it also!! 🥰

Fantastic pick! Pan's Labyrinth blew me away when it came out. You brought up something interesting when you commented about everyone ordering Ophelia around. I think there's a theme in this film about when to follow orders, and when to draw the line and think for yourself. Note that both Ophelia and the doctor die because they refused to follow unethical orders they were given. As I understand it, the US military actually has.a rule in place saying that if a superior officer gives an order that you feel is unethical, you have a duty to not follow that order.

As my grandfather grew up in the exact same part of Spain being exactly as old as Ofelia, this movie means everything to me. I was able to show him this movie shortly before his passing and it was beyond priceless to be granted a look into his past with him beside me. Apart from that personal fact this movie is a story told absolutely flawless. It explodes of symbolism. Its combines so much of this worlds art into one big message. Its dares you to think deeper about the harsh reality of fascism and how important it is to hold on to the child in one self. To me, the most brilliant movie of all time. I actually named my daughter Ofelia after this.

You mentioned imagining Lord of the Rings in this style - we came close to seeing that because Del Toro was originally slated to direct The Hobbit as a two-part movie before dropping out & Peter Jackson stepped back in and made it as a trilogy.

Doug Jones is the man for bringing del Toro's monsters to life. Always loved his physical work.

I member being quite shocked how brutal this film was first time I watched this. Now I know better. haha

You should read the Brothers Grimm collection of fairy/folk tales. The original versions of fairytales were DARK & certainly not “children” stories. Example, in the original Cinderella the step-sisters cut off their toes or heels to make feet fit into the glass shoe.

I remember reading an article when this movie came out explaining that Guillermo Del Toro grew up hearing the stories of family friends who had fought in the Spanish Civil War against Franco's regime (Del Toro is Mexican, but these family friends moved to Mexico after leaving Spain). So these stories of resistance fighters and the horrors they witnessed were a part of his childhood, perhaps that's why the protagonist in this film is a young person. I was absolutely taken with this film (the story) when it was first released, how it weaves reality and fantasy. It feels very Mexican to me in its aesthetic sensibility, even though the story is set in Spain and features Spanish characters.

This right here is a giant part of my childhood. Alway confused me when I would try and understand how it was related to labyrinth when it isnt lol

Rewatch the film on the premise that the girl makes up her own “reality” to cope with her life and ultimately her death. Then you might think this was not a good ending.

Guillermo del Toro is so amazing. This is one of my favorites alongside with Crimson Peak (if you haven't seen it, I'd love to see a movie commentary)

Funny I just finished watching this. Perfect timing. Definitely one of the best fantasy movies I've seen and one of Del Toro's best films. Keep up the great work James! 👍

I watched this movie when i was in grade 7. Needless to say I never saw fairies the same way ever again, and the hand-eye monster is forever engraved into my brain. Great movie, would scar myself again. Also! James! I highly recommend a movie called Taegukgi. A war film based on the Korean War. It's similar to Saving Private Ryan, so definitely give it a shot if you can off or on camera!

Great movie selection, another one of my all time favorite. Guillermo’s best. First time I saw it was in Spanish class in high school and I’m pretty sure the teacher wasnt aware of the rabbit hunter scene.

I really really enjoy watching your videos!! You have a great balance of natural comedy and thoughtfulness regarding the piece. Keep up the good work 👍🏻

I still chuckle to this day when I went out to buy new DVDs, and I chose this, Apocalypto, and Flags of our Fathers, and none were in English, and I had to read my movies that night... 🤪

I think David Lynch is another one of those directions who’s not only a director, but just an amazing artist. He’s a painter, donates to good causes and even writes about a type of meditation. Twin Peaks: the return is my favorite show, but you really gotta watch the whole show sometime! Love Pans Labyrinth! Saw it in… 4th grade..

I remember going to a Blockbuster here in Brazil, many many years ago, obviously, and I picked up this film. The lady who worked there asked if the movie was for me and I said yes. Then she said "well, a lot of kids or parents rent this movie thinking that is a childish fantasy, but this movie has really adult content ok? We always make this disclaimer". When I watched the bottle scene she came through my mind and I was thinking "oh yeah, I know what you mean now". I think this was the first really explicit scene I've ever watched on a movie. This was also the first time I specifically noticed a soundtrack. Since then I became very interested in knowing who did the score for the movie and I love hearing some of my favorite while working. Those was good days, thank you for making me remember that.

Three things 1. This movie is so great that not only did it receive a forty minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. But after watching the Pale Man scene during a private screening for him, THE Stephen King had nightmares for days! 2. I've watched this movie several dozen times and it STILL holds up, in my book. 3. People everywhere have debated over whether or not the fantastical moments of this movie were real or if they were all just in Ophelia's head. To be honest, I think it WAS real; how else would she have been able to get out of that locked room, if the chalk wasn't magic.

Now you're ready for a couple of his other great films - The Orphanage and Devil's Backbone

The guy with eyes in his hands scene used to scare the hell out of me as a child Damn, even now, all the suspense It's perfect

Hell yes! I jumped out of a Loki reaction to come straight here when I got the notice

It's "important" (if you care) to remember that Del Toro grew up in Mexico City, immersed in Catholic stories and images. The film is an utterly devastating and beautiful Christian allegory and, while you needn't view it through that prism, it may help to consider that.

“The Devil’s Backbone” is another amazing Del Toro film that’s a must watch.

"This is a fairy tale, but not a *kid's* fairy tale!" Try reading some of the original Brothers Grimm FairyTales. I remember one where a guy got sealed into a barrel filled with nails, and rolled downhill into the river. And Cinderella's step mother mutilated her daughters' feet, in order to fit into the special slipper. "When you are queen, you won't need to walk! You'll take carriages everywhere!"

I think it is really cool that Del Toro can have such a unique vision and still be an extremely successful director.

"I can't believe this is all in Spanish!" Might be the most American reaction ever. It's a Spanish film with Spanish actors and a Spanish director! 😅 Loved your reaction though, it really is a dark fairy tale, and one of the best made in cinema. This is the kind of dark foundation most of the European folklore and fairy tales originally had. The rosy sheen of Disney and the like is quite American.

Everybody gangsta till the bottle scene happens

I don't know if it was mentioned in the full-length, but the tree and Pan's head are actually the shape of fallopian tubes and uterus.

Silent Hills / PT would have been incredible. I'm still not over it.

Damn even though I only watched the reaction just a snippet of the ending still made me cry. This was one of my favorite movies growing up.

I worked at a local video store when this film hit dvd and we had to post warnings on the shelf saying that it is NOT for kids and subtitled. So many people rented it not knowing what they were getting into.

I love this movie, I like the fact that you had the same reaction I did, it's a beautiful movie. I know people who think I'm crazy saying that about a movie that is so dark and brutal. I was just waiting for you to notice the nuances of Doug Jones acting as the faun and all the details that were added to everything including the sound. So glad you liked it, I was pretty sure you would appreciate this movie.

It's really no surprise Kojima and Del Toro are friends because of their weird brains

This is probably my favorite score of all time especially the main theme. It’s just so haunting and beautiful, and there’s an innocence to it

i adore this movie…always makes me cry

Not to bring politics into any of this, but whenever I see Mitch McConnell I think of the Pale Man.

Man I remember watching this movie and when it ended I was bawling like a baby. I just couldn't stop. It was so beautiful but so, so sad at the same time.

cool fact doug jones the actor who played bith the fauno and the pale man also played the silver surfer, the amphibian man in shape of water and abe sapien in hell boy (in the first one they changed his voice, but he was the man behind the costume in the second film he both acted as the character and voiced him if i remember)

that Faun blows me away. just absolutely stunning design

The ending is only happy if you view all of the fantasy elements as actually happening (and only she being able to see/witness). However, if you view it as it all being in her imagination as a way to cope with the horrible things going on in her life and around her, then the ending is just her hanging on to her fantasy as she dies from the gunshot wound.

This is my favorite Guillermo Del Toro movie! The Faun and the slender man (eyes in the hands) were played by Doug Jones. Doug Jones is in many Del Toro movies. One story I liked - when Pan's Labyrinth premiered in Los Angelis, Guillermo was sitting next to Steven King. When Steven King saw the slender man, he really squirmed. Del Toro said to creep out Steven King was akin to winning an Academy Award

At the premiere, a man sitting beside del Toro was visibly disturbed seeing the Pale Man. Told del Toro this was one of the most frightening monsters ever. That man…was Stephen King.

I'm not remotely fluent in spanish, for the record, but this is legitimately one of my favorite movies of all time. An absolute masterpiece.

I borrowed this from a friend, and liked it so much I went and got my own copy. The directors commentary is terrific. Then I discovered the earlier release had different commentary! Luckily, the video store had that copy. The main thing I remember is that some of the freedom fighters were in a different Del Toro movie called "The Devils Backbone" about a ghost haunting an orphanage during the Spanish Civil war. That movie was filmed 5 years earlier that "Pan's..." Del Toro said that in his mind, the actors from both movies are the same characters, making Pan's.. a sequel to backbone

Del Toro is one of few directors that have such a distinctive style and perspective yet it does not hamper their ability to do any type of movie or theme.

This was my fav movie of all time for YEARS. The first time i saw it BAWLED my eyes out when she got shot, then i watched the whole movie again, then again.

I remember seeing this the first time that it came out in 2007. I was sitting in my room - and when the film ended, I had to take a deep breath. it left an emotional impact on me and I had to rewatch it. by far one of my favorite movies and I dont think I've seen it since. lol

Just watched this for the first time last night, and I’m mad that I hadn’t seen it before lol. Amazing movie

Give credit to Doug Jones; the man is a treasure.

Hands down...one of my top 10 fave films of all time. It evokes so much emotion and feelings from within. Artistically a Masterpiece. Thanks for reviewing!

My favorite movie as a kid. However you're finding your movies, keep them coming! Top notch selections

Really glad you enjoyed this man! Recently rewatched it myself and I agree about the themes of disobedience that I hadn't picked up on before, and GDT's creature design is just stellar. Disappointing about Silent Hills, but if you want Kojima and Del Toro together, check out the PS4 game Death Stranding :)

One of my most favourite movies , it just hits on another level idk

My absolutely favorite film! ❤ I'm so happy you reacted to it!

Such an incredible film. Good to see you watching more international movies!

She eats because she was sent to bed without dinner A nice little touch to explain

Loved that your first reaction when faced with the Pan being possibly fake was ¨NO! the captain dude is drugged this is REAL¨

Out of this world movie. One of the best. Please consider reacting to Seven Samurai and Das Boot.

My parents live on the Isle of Man. Even today the locals say "Hello Fairies" when travelling over the Fairy Bridge. Better safe than sorry lol. It's quite strange when you're travelling on a busy bus into Douglas!

Absolutely ♥ this movie! Like how the ending was left open to one's interpretation. Did she live happily ever after? Was it all in her head?

I love love love this movie. I've seen it 3-4 times, and it always impresses me. Brilliant, thoughtful, mesmerizing. Creative on a level beyond all expectation.

The Pale Man (the eye/hands thingy) is Mitch McConnell. But less monstrous.

Del Toro has such a beautifully creative imagination to tell such dark stories such a captivating manner!!

Everyone tells her fairy stories aren't real but the fantasy reflects and symbolises what's going on in the "real" world, which is exactly what good fantasy does. This is a great film. The fantasy is so mysterious and sinister, like myth and folklore is. The "real world" stuff is so gritty and intense. It's a real classic.

This was one of my all time favorite movies

This is a REAL fairie-tale, like in the olden days. Disney make fairie-tales into cute children's stories. But if you read the original Grimm's Fairie Tales, where Disney got all their stories from, they are brutal. For instance, at the end of the original Snow White, the evil Queen is stuffed into a barrel filled with nails and rolled down a hill... something they left out of the Disney version. Fairie-tales were supposed to be scary lessons, not whimsical musicals.

This movie reminds me of Goya's "Saturn Devouring His Son" and the rest of his "Black paintings" The movie and the paintings always scared me AF 🙃

This movie filled me with so much love , I balled my eyes out through the whole thing .

This is one of my favorite films of all time. The cinematography, the costume design, the score, the performances. It's amazing. It's also one of those films you really need to rewatch. It's so clever and you pick up different things every time you watch it. It's such an incredibly sad tale. I'm one of those that believe that the fantasy elements are just in the imagination of Ophelia's mind as a way to cope with the rough realities of being a child in a war torn country after losing her father and being isolated amongst other adults. You can see how that bug would transform into a fairy in a little girl's imagination. It's just masterful and he obviously tries to leave it up to the interpreter's imagination at the end like most great movies do. Thought provoking and haunting. As always, your reaction's are the best out there on youtube. Keep it up!

There's a scene around the middle of the movie where there are two young rebels lying together, dead in the battlefield. These two rebels are the same characters (and actors) from the Devil's Backbone.

Devil’s Backbone is my favorite Del Toro movie but I could watch Pan’s Labyrinth over and over and still notice new things.

Read the original Grimm's Fairy Tales or Hans Christian Andersen. They are pretty dark. Was she just creating a fantasy in her head? I hate to say it, but I think she was. The scariest monsters in the land of fairies were nowhere near as scary as the Captain.

The two main creatures (the Faun and the pale man) are played by Doug Jones who is a specialist in practical creatures and a regular in Del Toro's dark fables They are both full prostetic suits with some parts painted in green to be removed in post production to look less human like