New film tells R-rated fairytale

Although Pan's Labyrinth originally came out in December of 2006, it was just released in Atlanta theaters on Jan. 19. Guillermo del Toro's latest film, El Laberinto del Fauno (The Labyrinth of the Faun) in the original Spanish, is a dizzying mixture of elements that are terrifying, beautiful, horrendous, and heartbreaking. It is a rated-R fairy tale that promotes innocence as the ultimate weapon in the universal battle against evil.

The story is set in Spain in 1944, near the end of the country's bloody civil war. Francisco Franco has assumed power, but resistance forces still remain hidden in the mountains. Ofelia, the new stepdaughter of the captain in charge of eliminating the resistance, travels deep into the wilderness with her pregnant mother to live at the army's headquarters at an old mill.

In the woods surrounding the base, the 11-year-old Ofelia discovers what servant Mercedes tells her is an ancient stone labyrinth. During her first night in the old house, Ofelia encounters a strange insect-like creature that leads her outside, into the center of the labyrinth, and down a circular set of steps to a dark cavern. There Ofelia meets a faun (the same thing as a satyr) who tells her that she is Princess Moanna, the daughter of the king of the underworld. In order to prove that she has not yet converted into a mortal (and therefore incapable of returning home), Ofelia must complete three tasks, which will present themselves before her in turn.

Writer and director del Toro's interest in the Spanish Civil War stems from his childhood in Mexico, where many Spanish exiles sought refuge from the fascism that had consumed their homeland. del Toro combines with this period his lifelong interest in fairy tales and monsters to create the story of Pan's Labyrinth.

Over the past years del Toro has been involved with both major Hollywood productions and independent films. With Pan's Labyrinth, del Toro has shown his skills to be of the highest class.

Pan's Labyrinth has already won three awards for Best Foreign Language Film, as well as one for Best Picture of the Year, all of which are overwhelmingly justified by this amazing film.

del Toro masterfully intertwines the dark, mysterious world of Ofelia with the harsh, violent world of the outside war.

The movie alternates between Ofelia's fantasy world and the brutal outside world as her stepfather, Captain Vidal, experiences it.

Vidal is a ruthless man, the personification of fascism and the perfect solider, one who "obeys for the sake of obeying," as one character puts it.

He is willing to do anything or sacrifice anyone to crush the resistance forces, and very much enjoys his job.

Vidal is an antagonist unmatched in today's films; the actor portraying him, Sergi Lopez, delivers a stunningly realistic performance.

Although the parts that take place in the "real" world contain plenty of violence and suspense, Ofelia's magic world certainly matches it terror for terror.

Do not confuse Pan's Labyrinth for a children's movie; the things Ofelia must face would scare the daylights out of Walt Disney.

Over the course of the movie, both inside and outside of her fantasy world, Ofelia must confront monsters, failures, and abandonment.

Her unwavering innocence remains her only protection against the evil and sorrow that surround her.

Despite the intense violence and frightening images, I couldn't recommend this film more.

Truly it is the best film of 2006, and identifies itself as a strong candidate for the best of 2007.

Pan's Labyrinth is playing in select theaters in Atlanta, in the original Spanish with subtitles.