El Laberinto Del Fauno (Pan's Labyrinth)

Seen as one of the finest films of, pretty much, the last decade, on rewatching we found it thoroughly excellent. It pretty much loves up to its exalted reputation.
We said most of what we wanted to say talking about 'The Devil's Backbone', which is thematically and visually a very similar film. 'Pan's Labyrinth' really just brings to fruition, even perfection, the elements developed in that film.
Aagain, we have the swooping visuals, the great panopoly of brooding, contrast-ful colours. And importantly we have that great divide of the child and the adult. Done visually, done thematically, done in tone. Here the child's phantasy is dominated even more by the outside world. The key thesis of this, again, very complicated film to analyse is really all about how the adult world will and must impinge upon the the dreams. There is no true escape, it is all just filtered through. The child's imagination cannot be kept seperate; it is conditioned by, destroyed.
The fact that this is a fable rather than a film of subjective identification works in its advantage, as differentiating it from most fare. The character of Ofelia is freed to have a kind of universality, yes she is a symbol, but that is only a criticism through blinkers. The quiet fable character gives this film, in correspondence with the form of Del Toro's direction, a powerful style.
Much to say, but the most important thing is that this is fine, fine, fine work.