Anyone who keeps up with TechJar knows that Pan's Labyrinth was one of my most anticipated films of the holiday, so I was thrilled when it came to Ft Wayne. Seeing this on the big screen is a must. Pan's Labyrinth is one of the best genre-blending films I have seen. Guillermo del Toro gives equal weight to both the fantasy and the drama in a film that is unequal in beauty by any film of 2006. From the opening scenes introducing our heroine Ofelia and her domineering stepfather Captain Vidal (you will not find a more remorseless villain last year) to the intricate scenes set in a beautiful and terrifying world of intrigue, Pan's Labyrinth will thrill you, make you squeal and bring tears to your eyes.

Pan's Labyrinth spends as much, if not more time, in the real world that Ofelia must navigate through as her mother deals with a violent pregnancy. Her love of fairy tales is all that keeps her sane and protected from the claws of the evil Captain Vidal. When she discovers the wonders of a labyrinth in her backyard, she is told that she is the reincarnated spirit of a long dead princess and that she must perform three tasks in order to reclaim her crown. Each task is increasingly more difficult with even harsher consequences. They are also become more violent and area main reason why Pan's Labyrinth is not for young children. But for someone who has loved fantasy and fairy tales all of his life, I would recommend showing this to your children once they reach the 11-13 year range. This is a story that should not be excluded from anyone's viewing because of the violence. In its core it is a story of innocence and how fully it will bloom when confronted with the ugliness of true evil. A magnificent work of art.