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I just realized that Star Wars should be on your foreign film list. Please start doing Netflix/Amazon watch parties of your all time favorite movies/tv shows on your Patreon. You guys would be outstanding at moderating fun discussions/arguments with your patrons during watch parties.
According to Del Toro, at one of the premiere screenings, he saw Stephen King in the audience (either in his row or in front). When he jumped during the "Pale Man" scene (with the eyeballs), Del Toro said, "My Movie Scared Stephen King...........THAT WAS BETTER THAN AN OSCAR!!!"
Pan's Labyrinth is Guillermo del Toro's girl adventure story, The Devil's Backbone is his boy adventure story. They are both set during the Spanish civil war, and they are both fantastic!
I always thought one of the most interesting things was that as disgusting and horrifying as the fairy tale world was the real world was even more harsh and terrifying
Oh man ofc. Countries that produce english language films might have some of the biggest industries/funding put into films but all countries have their own rich film making history.
@@turkeymcduckin7909 The US for instance, the celebrity obsessions is insane. My country make some great movies but the budget often costs less than a single actor gets paid for one film. And the profit is crazy too. But the more money, the bigger it gets, the more people it touches. Many films are buried under the foreign status. The US is foreign for me but nobody talks about them as they are.
This was one of three films from 2006 that really put Mexican directors on the stage for their talent. Alejandro González Iñárritu: Babel Alfonso Cuarón: Children of Men Guillermo del Toro: Pan's Labyrinth Los trés amigos they're called :)
Giliermo Del Toro made it clear in interviews that for him, the fantasy world is a real experience of Ofelia and he left several hints to it (like the chalk). The three main character (and also the doctor) all give fantastic performances. Ivana Baquero gives what may be one of the best child performance ever. But special praise has to go to Sergi Lopez (capitain vidal) who before that mainly played in romantic comedies but you would never know that by his menacing presence here. He succeeds in making his character so hated that you litterally pray for his death. That bottle scene comes from nowhere and nothing before prepares you to that level of violence. That's the moment you realize this fairy tale won't be on the disney channel.
Fun fact. Doug Jones is the creature actor for both the Pale Man and the Faun and was also Abe Sapien of del Toro's Hellboy, AND the similar aquatic creature of The Shape of Water- just to name a few among SO MANY creatures he's played. The man is a LEGEND.
I think it's interesting that when adults watch this movie they usually come to the conclusion that the fantasy was all in her head rather than her actually being a princess. I believe she was a princess. Here are a few things to think about. First, if she didn't go in the tree and spend considerable time in there, how did she not notice the rain and wind that was enough to knock her dress down and get it soaked? If the book didn't tell her, how did she get the impetus to get out of the bathroom and check on her mother who just happened to be bleeding profusely. If she imagined it, why would she imagine such a horrible image rather than her next task? The mandrake root is established as a tangible item because both the captain and her mother saw and interacted with it. Where did she get it? Mandrake root was rare and very expensive, I highly doubt the captain was wasting his resources on roots for the house especially during a war. If I recall correctly, the captain put guards on Ophelia's door, so how did she get from her guarded room to the Captain's room unnoticed to drug the Captain and take the baby? I suppose all of these could be answered "logically" but it is in fact much simpler to think, these events actually happened, and Ophelia was the lost princess. The captain could not see the fawn because it was not of this world, and it is established (I think) that Ophelia's "spirit" is what would be going home, so it stands to reason that she would need to shed that human shell. So, the human shell is killed.
Ah yes Pans Labyrinth , gotta love Del Toro. , Took me 3 days to get over the ending .Greetings from Australia.I think Ophelia and her fantasy world was her way of coping with reality. Real or not, she thought it was.Great review.
I find it interesting how while the conventional wisdom would be that fairytales are about absolute good and evil and reality is about nuance, but in this movie the reality is about absolute evil vs absolute good, but the fairytale part is more nuanced with the realistic looking creatures and the deceitful tests.
The scene where the Captain beat that dude's face with the gun... noooo I am never prepared for that. The real violence is scarier than the creatures/monsters from the labyrinth, which I find so interesting Congrats on the sponsor btw!
I see the Paleman as a metaphor to privileges. He has his eyes in the hand, wich means he is always blind while he eats. Is very easy to blind yourself to the bad side of things that you benefict from. And when someone comes to you and says that you need to share, because there are people in need and you have an excessive abundance, you can become a monster full of rage.
Well. Actually the pale man ,semantically is the catholic church during the spanish civil war. The full of food, table, represents the riches that the church has accumulated and doesn't wanna share with the people (don't eat a thing). The church is blind and can only see when it wants to intimidate innocence.It's old ,pale and rigid with power. The church was in team with Franco.
I'm so glad you finally did this one. It's both beautiful and grotesque, has outstanding visuals, makeup and special effects. It has fantastic acting, has a great story and real heart to it. I really love how Del Toro told this tale
Banger of a reaction guys and I agreed with your discussion on the theme of the movie, that it's open to interpretation, I see choices- whether they're good or bad. The gruesome post-civil war Spain contrasts with the world of fantasy to which Ofelia is drawn, yet everywhere she goes she has choices to make- good or bad. Also, congrats on getting a sponsor 😊
'Innocence has a power evil cannot imagine' - that was one of the promos for the film. The trailer said "In darkness there can be light. In misery there can be beauty. In death there can be life". Roger Ebert called it "a fairy-tale for grown-ups'.
So glad you guys did this one, some people are mentioning The orphanage (El orfanato) and I totally agree you guys should react to that one, it's really good.
This is such a beautifully sad movie. It is very much left up to the viewer whether or not Ofelia's fairytale world is a real thing that only she can see or if it is just an imaginary coping mechanism that she uses to deal with the horrors of real life. I'd like to believe that it's the former, but in truth, it's probably the latter, which makes this film all the more sadder. Another good foreign film is Amélie. It has a delightfully whimsy tone.
I watched Pan’s Labyrinth on accident when I was 9 years old thinking it was a children’s fantasy film... and boy was I wrong. I’m now 23 and still have an immense love and appreciation for the dark and realistic elements Del Toro intertwined alongside the youthful and magical. I have only been taken aback by a few films in my life and this one is definitely the first to have landed on that list.
One of the best things about this movie is the representation of trauma and the psychological mechanisms she builds to process it. The adults continue to exist in their own reality, one full of evil and violence, while she builds her own fantastical world. Interestingly, the evil still manages to seep into her own fantasies, and you're made to wonder if that would have been the case if she wasn't living through fascism. It's incredibly well-written and encourages so much analysis when it comes to psychology. Good storytelling like this, with so much meaning and complexity, is hard to find these days.
I've been to three screenings of this movie with audiences, and every single time Mercedes cuts Vidal's mouth with the knife, everyone cheered and squirmed at the same time.
I have only ever watched Pan's Labyrinth once. The scene that got to me most, was the torture of the rebels scene. It was a bit of a tough watch. For myself, it grounded the fantastical tone of the fantasy scenes in the film. Overall, i enjoyed it. I need to watch it again. I am long overdue. If you haven't already, watch Del Toro's film " The Devil's Backbone " (2001). It's such a good film.
I love the discussion you guys had at the end but I’m surprised you didn’t bring up the phenomenal monster design and the practical effects. Doug Jones portrayed both the faun and the Pale Man, and both of those characters look amazing. It’s been over a decade since the film’s release and both hold up so well. Fun fact about the faun as well is that he gradually de-ages over the course of the film. I think he had a slightly different costume for each scene he was in.
The central question of whether or not the magic is real is interesting one. Guillermo himself has said that it probably is real because there are a few things that aren't easily explainable without it - like how did she get out of her locked room. But he also said that in the end what matters is what you thought watching the film. I personally lean on the side of the magic not being real as I think it makes the movie work for me a bit more. It's even darker and more tragic than it already is but I really like the idea of her creating an entire fairy tale as a way to cope with all the horrible shit happening around her. Because that's what kids always do, make up stories for stuff they can't explain to escape the horrible reality they are in. But both interpretations work very well, it's what makes the movie so frikkin good.
I love this movie so much. Every time I watch it, I love it more. A dark, beautiful, and tragic fairy tale. Del Toro really knows how to bring this aesthetic to life in the best way.
The food thing came from greek mythology - it was said that even if you were living and were visiting for some heroic purpose you couldn't eat any of the food from the realms of the dead or you wouldn't be able to go back to the land of the living. Even the goddess Persephone had to start spending 3/4 months a year in the underworld after she ate some pomegranate seeds... It became something very, very popular in fairytales later on.
Great reaction to a brilliant movie, Shaun you mention one of the points in the movie earlier and didn't mention it at the reviewing section. The part you mentioned was manipulation. This was pretty much a running theme throughout the movie, the creature doing Ophelia, the resistance helper fooling the captain, the doctor who played his card to the captain implying that he has no regrets fooling the captain The sadistic killings was necessary because you know how the Germans acted in the real wars so am glad that it shows realism.
this movie is 10/10 for me and upon rewatching you can catch so many things and there are million vileos essays on youtube explaining the meaning behind the movie and when you get it and it becomes so so good...and this type of dark fairy tale is amazing
Guillermo del Toro is one of my favorite directors! Personally, I think this is better than Shape of Water, but that movie is still very good. I also really like Devil's Backbone and Crimson Peak as well!
We never find out if the faun is the Pan himself (Pan being a satyr from Greek mythology, the faun being the Roman version of the satyr) and don't forget the Spanish title more literally translated it 'the labyrinth of the faun'.
I have been very lucky to have met Guillermo de Toro a number of times over the years.Once in the Forbidden planet shop in London and the last time I met him by lucky accident. He was in London, where he was directing Hellboy 2 The Golden army, a few days after he and his cinematographer Guillermo Navarro has won oscars for Pan's Labyrinth. He is known for having amazing notebooks full of ideas, sketches etc. He and Guillermo Navarro very kindly signed one of my autograph cards. Del toro did one of his quick sketches of himself on it. It is one of my prized possesssions
"Where's the Pan?" Guys... he's still in Neverland. 😋 I still can't stand that face bottle smashing scene 😱 It's literally more HORRIFIC and TERRIFYING than that Pale Man (though I'll admit, it kinda gave me nightmares before lol). 😣 "What IS this film?" Just watch it over and over again and you'll see why it's such a masterpiece. This film had been described recently by one reactor as "sublime". 👍 The iconic lullaby theme always gets to me. Before, it was just a soothing yet haunting melody but now, I get a little emotional over it because I just imagine the only time Mercedes was comforting Ofelia before she died and THEN she hums it again to comfort herself when Ofelia died. 😭
There is another Guillermo del Toro film set in the same time period as Pan's Labyrinth that is called The Devil's Backbone which is more horror than fantasy horror.
Shan Watches Movies reacted to this recently and said of the ending “I don’t know what to believe, but I know what I choose to believe.” It’s such an amazing movie that is more incredible with repeat views. The first viewing I think is often jarring because it’s so violent and real that it’s shocking. Can’t wait to see what kinds of movies you guys check out after these great foreign ones you’ve seen!
Also fun fact about this movie Doug Jones, is the actor who played the the Pan and the pale man (the hand eye creature), and he didn't speak spanish for his role as the Pan but he did the mouth movement and someone dubbed the lines over for him, he's also worked with Del Toro in many of his films.
You guys are the the only RUclipsrs I will spend a half hour watching! For me, Pan's Labyrinth is the first film masterpiece of the 21st Century and I loved your reactions, as always!
Brilliant boys, you figured out that the faun was the captain... Without question... TOP 35 FAVORITE MOVIES 1) The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982) 2) It's a Wonderful Life (1946) 3) The Prince who was a Thief (1951) 4) Narnia: the Lion, the witch, and the wardrobe (2005) 5) Let the Right One In (2008) - Swedish with English caption 6) A Silent Voice (2016) - Japanese with English caption 7) My Rainy Days (2009) - Japanese with English caption 8) X + Y [a Brilliant Young Mind] (2014) 9) Silence (2016) 10) Beauty and the Beast (2017) 11) Goodbye, Christopher Robin (2017) 12) The Man who Invented Christmas (2017) 13) The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934) 14) Amen (2002) 15) Red (2010) 16) Fletch (1985) 17) Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) 18) Men In Black (1997) 19) Star Wars: the Empire Strikes Back (1980) 20) Star Wars: a New Hope (1977) 21) Back to the Future (1985) 22) X-Men (2000) 23) Mannequin (1987) 24) Life is Beautiful (1998) 25) Schindler's List (1993) 26) The Passion of the Christ (2004) - Aramaic with English caption 27) Interview with the Vampire (1994) 28) Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) - Spanish with English caption 29) Midway (2019) 30) Paprika (2006) 31) Johnny English (2003) 32) Cinema Paradiso (1989) - Italian with English caption, shorter version, not extended version 33) The Man who Killed Don Quixote (2017) 34) Measure of a Man (2018) 35) Come and See (1985) - Russian with English caption
Would you do whatever it took to be a real princess in Spain during the time of Facism? Can you make it through Pan's Labyrinth? The step-father offers the girl the ability to be an important young girl (Princess) in the creation of a new Spain. The creator God offers the girl the ability to be a child of God in heaven. Do you go with the devil or God? Which is more real? To some humans the answer is both. To atheists the only story is what is real, but what is more real than the choice between good and evil, which we all make each morning? And when you put your head on the pillow there is one thing you know for certain. You are a sinner. We need the shedding of innocent blood...
I knoooow. I thought about commenting a little pronunciation guide (“Gee-air-moe”) but I know certain people do try to put more emphasis on the Ls in his name, so I didn’t want to start that controversy- 😅
@@TheBrookelynChick I know, right? I hope they don't take this the wrong way, I didn't mean to make fun of them. I thought it was really sweet, actually 😅
@@starry2006 it sounded like Gilmo as well haha I speak Portuguese so we tend to pronounce Spanish names with the Spanish accent but the way they pronounced was quite interesting
Fun Fact: Del Toro held a private screening of this movie for Stephen King and after he watched the Pale Man scene, he had nightmares for quite a while
So glad you boys are doing these films and staying true to your channel's Mission Statement! I'm even more glad to see 30.5k other people agree with me! Keep up the great work lads!
The absolute best part of this film is how it's meant to be open to interpretation. Though there are three major clues in the film that tell you Guillermo's perspective.
I met Guillermo del Toro once (at Sitges Fantastic and Horror Film Festival), I asked him for an autograph, he took my notebook and drew his cartoon for me, so I have a Del Toro Original! Such a nice guy. Also, my grandparents fougth in that war (loosers side, against fascists) and half of the cast are Catalans (so am I), Sergi López (the captain) is one of the best actors in Europe, I've seen him three times on stage, hilarious, a really funny guy really loved here in Catalonia!
Congrats on getting your first sponsor 👏 Another banger reaction. I love this film. The effortless transition between the real world and the fantasy world really is captivating and visually stunning.
Another great spanish movie in this style is "The Orphanage" from 2007. It has that 'is it real, or not' feel, too. But its more suspense and less graphic than this one. Maybe you'd like it. I sure did. And to be honest, it was the first 'horror movie' that made me tear up a bit.
Cinematic perfection. Guillermo Del Toro was offered the full budget by a major Hollywood studio, provided he filmed it in English. He refused to compromise because he wanted it as authentic as possible, which includes, y'know, Spanish people speaking Spanish, so he had to get the budget from independent sources. In my opinion it's his Masterpiece and he's never bettered it (The Shape of Water included)
I really love your reactions, it seems to me that you are very objective with the movies and I really feel like I'm watching them with you, love from México!
Two things in this movie scarred me for life: The bottle bashing kill and the creature with hands/eyes that Shaun is imitating. I loved it but did not have a strong desire to watch it again. Though I've seen it three times I think. Love ya guys.
Insightful review as always. I was 18 when this film came out and my initial reaction exactly like Shaun's 'what the hell?', and you lads were right, there's no right or wrong answer when intrepreting a work of art. To me, the point of the film lies partly in the fact that the victories of the child are reflected by the failures of the adults. And no worries about the long sponsor ad, proud of you lads for getting your first one 👏
Glad you did this one of my favorites. I remember watching it in the theater when it came out and was blown away. Another great Spanish film is ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER or anything from Pedro Almodovar really. Congrats on the sponsor!!
the way you pronunciate Guillermo XD! I love del Toro's work it's good but as a person he's very loved here in mexico because he helps impulse science, arts and athlets who don't receive the goverment support, Del Toro is so creative and he also has more light films just for entertainment, but this one was a more experimental and personal work. this film as you say it's up for interpretation, it can be real or not but there are things that can't be explained without the supernatural events, and that's the magic of the film.
He's been plotting an epic Lovecraft inspired film for over 20 years. Keep your fingers crossed, if he ever gets to make Mountains of Madness it should be a thing to behold.
@@serpicopiu3591 like Terry Gilliam, there are projects directors plot for decades, just because a studio says no this year isn't the end. If you've followed his work, he's talked about it for so long, until he's dead, it will remain possible.
It would be great to finally see someone who is capable of capturing the essence of Lovecraft. Hopefully he is able to make it, even if it takes another 20 years.
Just initial thoughts: I LOVE this movie. Edit: Holy crap, this was 14 years ago?! Ha, I forgot about the rabbit hunter scene. Your reactions were priceless... Aww, look how little and adorable Ivana Baquero was :) Now she's all grown-up and still acting! See, I did not have a good education about sex and the body, so I had no idea the blood looked like a womb the first time I saw this. And I was in my late teens... I never got until now, when Shaun said it, that technically the blood of an innocent *did* open the portal, just not the innocent that the faun told her about. I love how subtle Ivana's acting was when she was still so young, like how her expression just barely changed when the captain shot her, but you could still tell what had happened because she went totally blank for a second, and then the death scene. A lot of adults can't seem to do a death scene without it being super cheesy looking. I'd also like to add that the Faun and the Pale Man were both played by the amazing Doug Jones.
Pans Labyrinth is the story of Spain following the Spanish Civil War and Fascist state, and the girl torn between the forces of left and right. To rid her world of the old cronyism she kills the old frog ( I always remebered a turtle). To get rid of the fascism that flowers after it she must fight -and win - and finally also rid the world of the child of fascism (signified by the baby). But the girl refuses, realising she will only become the same.
You guys should check out Devil's Backbone - same director, same period in Spanish history, more of a ghost story. Very layered film -much like Pan's Labyrinth- with lots of moving parts. One of my favourite films too.
Try CRIMSON PEAK next. It's a gorgeously done throwback to the old AIP horror films, with all the gothic atmosphere they were famous for in the Poe/Corman films.
I recommend another foreign film, Amores Perros (loosely translated to Love's a Bitch), from another Mexican director, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarrittu. It may not be horror but it does have good plots and scenes that will make you look away and ask if they actually hurt any of the dogs during filming.
Guillermo = Gee-yair-moe Also, it can be said that the distinction between fairy tales and folklore is a significant one as displayed in this movie. I don't believe folklore necessarily holds to standards of morality or necessarily teaching lessons to children. Plus fairy tales here in the states have been co-opted by Disney! Another factor to bring up is that not only do fairy tales and specifically folklore inform this story but the girls subjective interpretation of the folklore of Spain at that time. This is one reason I love "foreign" or what I prefer to use "international" or "world" cinema. I love learning about new cultures, and narratives that are outside of western thinking. I love this stuff, so excuse me for coming off long winded. Cheers!
It's a top 10 movie of mine and I love how it can be interpreted as either being her escapist imagination to get away from the nightmare she's living, or the idealism of it being real and she gets the life she dreams of, which is the best way to tell a fantasy... making us believe. Amazing movie.
Great reaction/review. You should also check out 'The Devil's Backbone' too (also by Guillermo Del Toro). Also set in wartime Spain, and almost a sister movie to this one.
10/10 A masterpiece! Del Toro says he believes the ending magic is real, but you can interpret it however you like. I both believe in the ending from both perspectives of it being in her head, and it actually happening for her. Love this movie so much, every time the ending comes around, I feel so deeply my eyes always well up! Doesn't matter if I'm watching the entire movie, or it's a reaction. Every time!
The problem is that, if you choose to believe that the magic ending isn't real, then a lot of stuff doesn't make sense anymore. Like how did she managed to escape a locked room without using magic.
@@sleepyfork5250 Like I said, I believe in both. Both the magic and the thought it's all in her head. I mention the chalk in another thread here somewhere, so I am not unfamiliar with the story. One can find themselves escaping where you'd think there is no possibility. Both in the fairy tale, and in reality. I chose to believe in both...
I was unable to see this film in the theater so when it came out on dvd I bought it without question because of who the director was. I was totally swept away by it. Of course reality brought me brutally back, but heck, it was easy to start floating again. I don't know why I didn't see the end coming. I'm not usually hornswoggled that easily. Maybe I'm not as jaded as I've always thought I was. I enjoyed your interpretations :))
Great film, loved the reaction! JoJo Rabbit is another great movie that also involves seeing the WW2 time period and fascism from the perspective of a child. It's directed by Taika Waititi and is funny but also has moments of intensity.
Like many who first saw this film in a theater without any clue what it was about, I was horrified and stunned when it was over. Ordinarily I don't seek out violence and gore, since I'm not entertained by either, and too many main stream movies that use them, do it gratuitously and for titillation. In the war context of the film, and in contrast with the parallel fantasy story, all of the violence and ugliness here seemed "logical" and of a piece to me. It's a painfully dark and tragic film, but one of the few such films I regularly recommend. It's certainly in my top 10.
Great commentary as always! This movie is very nostalgic for me so it’s nice to you checking it out. Since you seem to like a lot of the films I like, try both of Robert Eggers’ films, The Witch (2015) and The Lighthouse (2019). They’re so strange and unique and right up your alley!
you guys got the metaphore of the pale man right! ...also the movie is open to interpretation, but Del Toro meant for it to be real, and left a few clues in the movie
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There's no need to apologize, the presentation was good for your sponsor. So, great job guys, I can't wait to see more content.
Keep doing what you are doing. This RUclips channel is by far the best. Also your Patreon is awesome too. I'm glad to help contribute.
I just realized that Star Wars should be on your foreign film list. Please start doing Netflix/Amazon watch parties of your all time favorite movies/tv shows on your Patreon. You guys would be outstanding at moderating fun discussions/arguments with your patrons during watch parties.
@@erwinquiachon8054 when you say watch parties, what do you mean by this? Watching film together with patrons live? how would you envision this? 😊
According to Del Toro, at one of the premiere screenings, he saw Stephen King in the audience (either in his row or in front). When he jumped during the "Pale Man" scene (with the eyeballs), Del Toro said, "My Movie Scared Stephen King...........THAT WAS BETTER THAN AN OSCAR!!!"
Not only is the man a master filmmaker but he is an adorable and wonderful person as well.
Now that's awesome ☺️
If you can make "the King of Modern Horror Books" feel terrified, you know you made a good piece of media
That is oddly wholesome
Pan's Labyrinth is Guillermo del Toro's girl adventure story, The Devil's Backbone is his boy adventure story. They are both set during the Spanish civil war, and they are both fantastic!
Chronos, Grandpa adventure story, jajaja
I always thought one of the most interesting things was that as disgusting and horrifying as the fairy tale world was the real world was even more harsh and terrifying
Foreign moves are brilliant. I don’t think you can just shove all foreign movies into one category, personally.
Oh man ofc. Countries that produce english language films might have some of the biggest industries/funding put into films but all countries have their own rich film making history.
@@turkeymcduckin7909 The US for instance, the celebrity obsessions is insane. My country make some great movies but the budget often costs less than a single actor gets paid for one film. And the profit is crazy too. But the more money, the bigger it gets, the more people it touches. Many films are buried under the foreign status. The US is foreign for me but nobody talks about them as they are.
@@Gnossiene369 you have clearly never been to india.
. . . Yeah it's almost like their just movies but not in English. . .
Amelie ❤️❤️❤️
This was one of three films from 2006 that really put Mexican directors on the stage for their talent.
Alejandro González Iñárritu: Babel
Alfonso Cuarón: Children of Men
Guillermo del Toro: Pan's Labyrinth
Los trés amigos they're called :)
Giliermo Del Toro made it clear in interviews that for him, the fantasy world is a real experience of Ofelia and he left several hints to it (like the chalk).
The three main character (and also the doctor) all give fantastic performances.
Ivana Baquero gives what may be one of the best child performance ever.
But special praise has to go to Sergi Lopez (capitain vidal) who before that mainly played in romantic comedies but you would never know that by his menacing presence here.
He succeeds in making his character so hated that you litterally pray for his death.
That bottle scene comes from nowhere and nothing before prepares you to that level of violence.
That's the moment you realize this fairy tale won't be on the disney channel.
I was looking for this comment, also the last scene with the flower growing in the tree of the first test is an example of this.
Fun fact. Doug Jones is the creature actor for both the Pale Man and the Faun and was also Abe Sapien of del Toro's Hellboy, AND the similar aquatic creature of The Shape of Water- just to name a few among SO MANY creatures he's played. The man is a LEGEND.
I think it's interesting that when adults watch this movie they usually come to the conclusion that the fantasy was all in her head rather than her actually being a princess. I believe she was a princess. Here are a few things to think about. First, if she didn't go in the tree and spend considerable time in there, how did she not notice the rain and wind that was enough to knock her dress down and get it soaked? If the book didn't tell her, how did she get the impetus to get out of the bathroom and check on her mother who just happened to be bleeding profusely. If she imagined it, why would she imagine such a horrible image rather than her next task? The mandrake root is established as a tangible item because both the captain and her mother saw and interacted with it. Where did she get it? Mandrake root was rare and very expensive, I highly doubt the captain was wasting his resources on roots for the house especially during a war. If I recall correctly, the captain put guards on Ophelia's door, so how did she get from her guarded room to the Captain's room unnoticed to drug the Captain and take the baby? I suppose all of these could be answered "logically" but it is in fact much simpler to think, these events actually happened, and Ophelia was the lost princess. The captain could not see the fawn because it was not of this world, and it is established (I think) that Ophelia's "spirit" is what would be going home, so it stands to reason that she would need to shed that human shell. So, the human shell is killed.
Dell toro even says that's his personal favourite interpretation
FACTS!
People are too blind to see what’s right in front of them 😂 keep denying humans
What I got from this movie was that no matter how evil, or horrifying a fairytale world can be, reality can be much worse.
I love the very British reaction to the Doctors death: “well, at least he got the last word in, eh”
At least he wasn't brutally beaten to death
Ah yes Pans Labyrinth , gotta love Del Toro. , Took me 3 days to get over the ending .Greetings from Australia.I think Ophelia and her fantasy world was her way of coping with reality. Real or not, she thought it was.Great review.
Took me about a week to overcome this weird sad feeling after watching it for the first time.
I find it interesting how while the conventional wisdom would be that fairytales are about absolute good and evil and reality is about nuance, but in this movie the reality is about absolute evil vs absolute good, but the fairytale part is more nuanced with the realistic looking creatures and the deceitful tests.
The scene where the Captain beat that dude's face with the gun... noooo I am never prepared for that. The real violence is scarier than the creatures/monsters from the labyrinth, which I find so interesting
Congrats on the sponsor btw!
Ophelia left this world, the one she was never meant to be in, to return home to her true family 😭✌🏻 it's such a beautiful film
I see the Paleman as a metaphor to privileges.
He has his eyes in the hand, wich means he is always blind while he eats.
Is very easy to blind yourself to the bad side of things that you benefict from. And when someone comes to you and says that you need to share, because there are people in need and you have an excessive abundance, you can become a monster full of rage.
Well. Actually the pale man ,semantically is the catholic church during the spanish civil war. The full of food, table, represents the riches that the church has accumulated and doesn't wanna share with the people (don't eat a thing). The church is blind and can only see when it wants to intimidate innocence.It's old ,pale and rigid with power. The church was in team with Franco.
I'm so glad you finally did this one. It's both beautiful and grotesque, has outstanding visuals, makeup and special effects. It has fantastic acting, has a great story and real heart to it. I really love how Del Toro told this tale
Banger of a reaction guys and I agreed with your discussion on the theme of the movie, that it's open to interpretation, I see choices- whether they're good or bad. The gruesome post-civil war Spain contrasts with the world of fantasy to which Ofelia is drawn, yet everywhere she goes she has choices to make- good or bad. Also, congrats on getting a sponsor 😊
Just watching clips of the film made me tear up lol. Her eye for fantasy made her interpret death as fantastical. Excellent film.
The fact that the child is so traumatised that her imaginary world is this dark, is heartbreaking. This film is brilliant
Good news: Word of God, it's all real. She actually completes the ritual and reunites with her family in an actual magical kingdom.
The dark underworld is creepy but no where near as terrifying as how brutal humans can be to each other.
YOU GUYS SHOULD CHECK OUT The Orphanage. Its also a Guillermo del Toro film.
@@frodobaggins6450 no she means the orphanage
@@frodobaggins6450 try searching "el orfanato" he didn't direct it he was a producer
The Orphanage was produced by Guillermo del Toro not directed. The director of The Orphanage is J.A. Bayona
'Innocence has a power evil cannot imagine' - that was one of the promos for the film. The trailer said "In darkness there can be light. In misery there can be beauty. In death there can be life". Roger Ebert called it "a fairy-tale for grown-ups'.
So glad you guys did this one, some people are mentioning The orphanage (El orfanato) and I totally agree you guys should react to that one, it's really good.
This is such a beautifully sad movie. It is very much left up to the viewer whether or not Ofelia's fairytale world is a real thing that only she can see or if it is just an imaginary coping mechanism that she uses to deal with the horrors of real life. I'd like to believe that it's the former, but in truth, it's probably the latter, which makes this film all the more sadder.
Another good foreign film is Amélie. It has a delightfully whimsy tone.
One of my all time favorite movie. Del Toro create such a beautiful world.
It's so dark and haunting in the best way. The lullaby stays in your brain for months every time you watch the movie.
I watched Pan’s Labyrinth on accident when I was 9 years old thinking it was a children’s fantasy film... and boy was I wrong.
I’m now 23 and still have an immense love and appreciation for the dark and realistic elements Del Toro intertwined alongside the youthful and magical. I have only been taken aback by a few films in my life and this one is definitely the first to have landed on that list.
One of the best things about this movie is the representation of trauma and the psychological mechanisms she builds to process it. The adults continue to exist in their own reality, one full of evil and violence, while she builds her own fantastical world. Interestingly, the evil still manages to seep into her own fantasies, and you're made to wonder if that would have been the case if she wasn't living through fascism. It's incredibly well-written and encourages so much analysis when it comes to psychology. Good storytelling like this, with so much meaning and complexity, is hard to find these days.
I've been to three screenings of this movie with audiences, and every single time Mercedes cuts Vidal's mouth with the knife, everyone cheered and squirmed at the same time.
ruclips.net/video/ZJUCCpW8qWQ/видео.html
No matter how many times I’ve seen it, I always cry at the end. An exquisite film, equal parts tragic and beautiful.
I have only ever watched Pan's Labyrinth once.
The scene that got to me most,
was the torture of the rebels scene.
It was a bit of a tough watch.
For myself, it grounded the fantastical
tone of the fantasy scenes in the film.
Overall, i enjoyed it.
I need to watch it again. I am long overdue.
If you haven't already, watch Del Toro's film
" The Devil's Backbone " (2001). It's such a good film.
I love the discussion you guys had at the end but I’m surprised you didn’t bring up the phenomenal monster design and the practical effects. Doug Jones portrayed both the faun and the Pale Man, and both of those characters look amazing. It’s been over a decade since the film’s release and both hold up so well. Fun fact about the faun as well is that he gradually de-ages over the course of the film. I think he had a slightly different costume for each scene he was in.
The central question of whether or not the magic is real is interesting one. Guillermo himself has said that it probably is real because there are a few things that aren't easily explainable without it - like how did she get out of her locked room. But he also said that in the end what matters is what you thought watching the film. I personally lean on the side of the magic not being real as I think it makes the movie work for me a bit more. It's even darker and more tragic than it already is but I really like the idea of her creating an entire fairy tale as a way to cope with all the horrible shit happening around her. Because that's what kids always do, make up stories for stuff they can't explain to escape the horrible reality they are in.
But both interpretations work very well, it's what makes the movie so frikkin good.
🤠Guillermo del Toro is an absolute GENIUS!!! 🎬🎥📽
A sponsor??? You guys have finally made it! Congrats!
I love this movie so much. Every time I watch it, I love it more. A dark, beautiful, and tragic fairy tale. Del Toro really knows how to bring this aesthetic to life in the best way.
This is one of my favorite movies. I saw this and Children of Men on the same day and bawled my eyes out.
Two of my favorite’s
What a double feature! Must have been a wild experience.
This is my absolute favorite movie. I have two Pan’s Labyrinth tattoos on my arm right now and finish out the sleeve in January.
The food thing came from greek mythology - it was said that even if you were living and were visiting for some heroic purpose you couldn't eat any of the food from the realms of the dead or you wouldn't be able to go back to the land of the living. Even the goddess Persephone had to start spending 3/4 months a year in the underworld after she ate some pomegranate seeds... It became something very, very popular in fairytales later on.
Great reaction to a brilliant movie, Shaun you mention one of the points in the movie earlier and didn't mention it at the reviewing section. The part you mentioned was manipulation. This was pretty much a running theme throughout the movie, the creature doing Ophelia, the resistance helper fooling the captain, the doctor who played his card to the captain implying that he has no regrets fooling the captain The sadistic killings was necessary because you know how the Germans acted in the real wars so am glad that it shows realism.
this movie is 10/10 for me and upon rewatching you can catch so many things and there are million vileos essays on youtube explaining the meaning behind the movie and when you get it and it becomes so so good...and this type of dark fairy tale is amazing
Guillermo del Toro is one of my favorite directors! Personally, I think this is better than Shape of Water, but that movie is still very good. I also really like Devil's Backbone and Crimson Peak as well!
We never find out if the faun is the Pan himself (Pan being a satyr from Greek mythology, the faun being the Roman version of the satyr) and don't forget the Spanish title more literally translated it 'the labyrinth of the faun'.
I love this film so much the performances, visuals, dialogue are all spectacular. Congratulations on your first sponsorship🥳
I have been very lucky to have met Guillermo de Toro a number of times over the years.Once in the Forbidden planet shop in London and the last time I met him by lucky accident. He was in London, where he was directing Hellboy 2 The Golden army, a few days after he and his cinematographer Guillermo Navarro has won oscars for Pan's Labyrinth. He is known for having amazing notebooks full of ideas, sketches etc. He and Guillermo Navarro very kindly signed one of my autograph cards. Del toro did one of his quick sketches of himself on it. It is one of my prized possesssions
"Where's the Pan?" Guys... he's still in Neverland. 😋 I still can't stand that face bottle smashing scene 😱 It's literally more HORRIFIC and TERRIFYING than that Pale Man (though I'll admit, it kinda gave me nightmares before lol). 😣 "What IS this film?" Just watch it over and over again and you'll see why it's such a masterpiece. This film had been described recently by one reactor as "sublime". 👍 The iconic lullaby theme always gets to me. Before, it was just a soothing yet haunting melody but now, I get a little emotional over it because I just imagine the only time Mercedes was comforting Ofelia before she died and THEN she hums it again to comfort herself when Ofelia died. 😭
There is another Guillermo del Toro film set in the same time period as Pan's Labyrinth that is called The Devil's Backbone which is more horror than fantasy horror.
Shan Watches Movies reacted to this recently and said of the ending “I don’t know what to believe, but I know what I choose to believe.” It’s such an amazing movie that is more incredible with repeat views. The first viewing I think is often jarring because it’s so violent and real that it’s shocking.
Can’t wait to see what kinds of movies you guys check out after these great foreign ones you’ve seen!
this is the film i vividely remember watch this at 7 years old. the pale man scene will forever etch into my head
Also fun fact about this movie Doug Jones, is the actor who played the the Pan and the pale man (the hand eye creature), and he didn't speak spanish for his role as the Pan but he did the mouth movement and someone dubbed the lines over for him, he's also worked with Del Toro in many of his films.
You guys are the the only RUclipsrs I will spend a half hour watching! For me, Pan's Labyrinth is the first film masterpiece of the 21st Century and I loved your reactions, as always!
Brilliant boys, you figured out that the faun was the captain...
Without question...
TOP 35 FAVORITE MOVIES
1) The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)
2) It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
3) The Prince who was a Thief (1951)
4) Narnia: the Lion, the witch, and the wardrobe (2005)
5) Let the Right One In (2008) - Swedish with English caption
6) A Silent Voice (2016) - Japanese with English caption
7) My Rainy Days (2009) - Japanese with English caption
8) X + Y [a Brilliant Young Mind] (2014)
9) Silence (2016)
10) Beauty and the Beast (2017)
11) Goodbye, Christopher Robin (2017)
12) The Man who Invented Christmas (2017)
13) The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934)
14) Amen (2002)
15) Red (2010)
16) Fletch (1985)
17) Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
18) Men In Black (1997)
19) Star Wars: the Empire Strikes Back (1980)
20) Star Wars: a New Hope (1977)
21) Back to the Future (1985)
22) X-Men (2000)
23) Mannequin (1987)
24) Life is Beautiful (1998)
25) Schindler's List (1993)
26) The Passion of the Christ (2004) - Aramaic with English caption
27) Interview with the Vampire (1994)
28) Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) - Spanish with English caption
29) Midway (2019)
30) Paprika (2006)
31) Johnny English (2003)
32) Cinema Paradiso (1989) - Italian with English caption, shorter version, not extended version
33) The Man who Killed Don Quixote (2017)
34) Measure of a Man (2018)
35) Come and See (1985) - Russian with English caption
Would you do whatever it took to be a real princess in Spain during the time of Facism? Can you make it through Pan's Labyrinth?
The step-father offers the girl the ability to be an important young girl (Princess) in the creation of a new Spain. The creator God offers the girl the ability to be a child of God in heaven. Do you go with the devil or God?
Which is more real? To some humans the answer is both. To atheists the only story is what is real, but what is more real than the choice between good and evil, which we all make each morning? And when you put your head on the pillow there is one thing you know for certain. You are a sinner. We need the shedding of innocent blood...
THANK you for mentioned Devil's Backbone, it's my favorite del Toro and no one ever seems to have heard of it.
When they tried to pronounce Guillermo... Too precious
I knoooow. I thought about commenting a little pronunciation guide (“Gee-air-moe”) but I know certain people do try to put more emphasis on the Ls in his name, so I didn’t want to start that controversy- 😅
@@TheBrookelynChick I know, right? I hope they don't take this the wrong way, I didn't mean to make fun of them. I thought it was really sweet, actually 😅
They apparently haven’t seen the What We Do in the Shadows TV series. It’s pronounced “Gizmo”.
They said Gwillermo? It sounds better like that anyway imo, whether that's the proper way for the language or not.
@@starry2006 it sounded like Gilmo as well haha I speak Portuguese so we tend to pronounce Spanish names with the Spanish accent but the way they pronounced was quite interesting
Fun Fact: Del Toro held a private screening of this movie for Stephen King and after he watched the Pale Man scene, he had nightmares for quite a while
Honestly, same. That creature was terrifying
@@bd3966 The movie also got a standing ovation at Cannes that lasted for FORTY MINUTES
So glad you boys are doing these films and staying true to your channel's Mission Statement! I'm even more glad to see 30.5k other people agree with me!
Keep up the great work lads!
He also made The Orphanage, which is quite excellent and I highly recommend it
Yassssss!
nope, only produced it. didn't direct.
@@brothercartman, still recommend it haha
I was lucky to have watched it with my daughter the first time, I think we were both teary eyed from the ending.
The absolute best part of this film is how it's meant to be open to interpretation. Though there are three major clues in the film that tell you Guillermo's perspective.
The genre is magic realism which juxtaposes magical elements and a harsh real-life situation.
You should watch Children of Men. Such a good movie
An amazing film! I’m so upset that it was so slept on when it came out
Adam James THIS^^
Amazing movie; watched it when it first came out.
Yes yes yes!
Hopefully they will see this suggestion 🤞
I met Guillermo del Toro once (at Sitges Fantastic and Horror Film Festival),
I asked him for an autograph, he took my notebook and drew his cartoon for me, so I have a Del Toro Original! Such a nice guy. Also, my grandparents fougth in that war (loosers side, against fascists) and half of the cast are Catalans (so am I), Sergi López (the captain) is one of the best actors in Europe, I've seen him three times on stage, hilarious, a really funny guy really loved here in Catalonia!
CNT FAI
Please do a review of the Spanish film "The Orphanage" by Juan Antonio Bayona. It is produced by Guillermo del Toro.
Congrats on getting your first sponsor 👏
Another banger reaction. I love this film. The effortless transition between the real world and the fantasy world really is captivating and visually stunning.
Another great spanish movie in this style is "The Orphanage" from 2007. It has that 'is it real, or not' feel, too. But its more suspense and less graphic than this one. Maybe you'd like it. I sure did. And to be honest, it was the first 'horror movie' that made me tear up a bit.
For your Foreign Film List, you should try The Orphanage from 2007. Great film!
This is one of my all-time fav films. It's a masterpiece imo.
Cinematic perfection.
Guillermo Del Toro was offered the full budget by a major Hollywood studio, provided he filmed it in English. He refused to compromise because he wanted it as authentic as possible, which includes, y'know, Spanish people speaking Spanish, so he had to get the budget from independent sources.
In my opinion it's his Masterpiece and he's never bettered it (The Shape of Water included)
We love Guillermo del Toro. Thanks guys
I really love your reactions, it seems to me that you are very objective with the movies and I really feel like I'm watching them with you, love from México!
Two things in this movie scarred me for life: The bottle bashing kill and the creature with hands/eyes that Shaun is imitating. I loved it but did not have a strong desire to watch it again. Though I've seen it three times I think. Love ya guys.
One of my favorite movies!!!!
Insightful review as always. I was 18 when this film came out and my initial reaction exactly like Shaun's 'what the hell?', and you lads were right, there's no right or wrong answer when intrepreting a work of art. To me, the point of the film lies partly in the fact that the victories of the child are reflected by the failures of the adults.
And no worries about the long sponsor ad, proud of you lads for getting your first one 👏
The first scene I walked in on as a kid was the face smashing scene, lol. This movie is a bittersweet masterpiece.
Glad you did this one of my favorites. I remember watching it in the theater when it came out and was blown away. Another great Spanish film is ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER or anything from Pedro Almodovar really. Congrats on the sponsor!!
the way you pronunciate Guillermo XD! I love del Toro's work it's good but as a person he's very loved here in mexico because he helps impulse science, arts and athlets who don't receive the goverment support, Del Toro is so creative and he also has more light films just for entertainment, but this one was a more experimental and personal work. this film as you say it's up for interpretation, it can be real or not but there are things that can't be explained without the supernatural events, and that's the magic of the film.
If you haven't watch it you should try City of God it's from Brazil. It's pretty good
I second that 👏🏽
Captain Vidal is a classically terrifying cinema villain. Best part of the movie IMO.
I have a tattoo of Captain Vidal with his cut lip on my forearm
I loved your presentation of your sponsor. I thought was very creative and loved the details. I’m a Spanish senior lady. Love your channel. 💖💖💖
for YEARs after this movie, my brother and I would hum the theme song to creep each other out.
Thanks guys!
Pan's is a beautifully dark fairytale and the best of Del Toro!
Edit: Crimson Peak is also a beautiful gothic fairytale by Del Toro.
He's been plotting an epic Lovecraft inspired film for over 20 years. Keep your fingers crossed, if he ever gets to make Mountains of Madness it should be a thing to behold.
I think it was cancelled.. sorry to break it to you 🥴🥺
@@serpicopiu3591 like Terry Gilliam, there are projects directors plot for decades, just because a studio says no this year isn't the end. If you've followed his work, he's talked about it for so long, until he's dead, it will remain possible.
It would be great to finally see someone who is capable of capturing the essence of Lovecraft. Hopefully he is able to make it, even if it takes another 20 years.
Just initial thoughts: I LOVE this movie.
Edit: Holy crap, this was 14 years ago?!
Ha, I forgot about the rabbit hunter scene. Your reactions were priceless...
Aww, look how little and adorable Ivana Baquero was :) Now she's all grown-up and still acting!
See, I did not have a good education about sex and the body, so I had no idea the blood looked like a womb the first time I saw this. And I was in my late teens...
I never got until now, when Shaun said it, that technically the blood of an innocent *did* open the portal, just not the innocent that the faun told her about.
I love how subtle Ivana's acting was when she was still so young, like how her expression just barely changed when the captain shot her, but you could still tell what had happened because she went totally blank for a second, and then the death scene. A lot of adults can't seem to do a death scene without it being super cheesy looking.
I'd also like to add that the Faun and the Pale Man were both played by the amazing Doug Jones.
The Devil’s Backbone would be another great one to watch 👌
The BOTTLE SCENE is the one thing I remember along with the Pale Man
Pans Labyrinth is the story of Spain following the Spanish Civil War and Fascist state, and the girl torn between the forces of left and right. To rid her world of the old cronyism she kills the old frog ( I always remebered a turtle). To get rid of the fascism that flowers after it she must fight -and win - and finally also rid the world of the child of fascism (signified by the baby). But the girl refuses, realising she will only become the same.
You guys should check out Devil's Backbone - same director, same period in Spanish history, more of a ghost story. Very layered film -much like Pan's Labyrinth- with lots of moving parts. One of my favourite films too.
such a good film
Try CRIMSON PEAK next. It's a gorgeously done throwback to the old AIP horror films, with all the gothic atmosphere they were famous for in the Poe/Corman films.
I recommend another foreign film, Amores Perros (loosely translated to Love's a Bitch), from another Mexican director, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarrittu. It may not be horror but it does have good plots and scenes that will make you look away and ask if they actually hurt any of the dogs during filming.
Yeah that is a wonderful film. I love his other movies too, 21 Grams, Babel, Biutiful etc. Fantastic filmmaking.
yep....thats a good movie too....and try Aterrados....if you want to be really scared!
Guillermo = Gee-yair-moe
Also, it can be said that the distinction between fairy tales and folklore is a significant one as displayed in this movie. I don't believe folklore necessarily holds to standards of morality or necessarily teaching lessons to children. Plus fairy tales here in the states have been co-opted by Disney!
Another factor to bring up is that not only do fairy tales and specifically folklore inform this story but the girls subjective interpretation of the folklore of Spain at that time. This is one reason I love "foreign" or what I prefer to use "international" or "world" cinema. I love learning about new cultures, and narratives that are outside of western thinking.
I love this stuff, so excuse me for coming off long winded. Cheers!
It's a top 10 movie of mine and I love how it can be interpreted as either being her escapist imagination to get away from the nightmare she's living, or the idealism of it being real and she gets the life she dreams of, which is the best way to tell a fantasy... making us believe. Amazing movie.
Great reaction/review. You should also check out 'The Devil's Backbone' too (also by Guillermo Del Toro). Also set in wartime Spain, and almost a sister movie to this one.
10/10
A masterpiece!
Del Toro says he believes the ending magic is real, but you can interpret it however you like. I both believe in the ending from both perspectives of it being in her head, and it actually happening for her. Love this movie so much, every time the ending comes around, I feel so deeply my eyes always well up! Doesn't matter if I'm watching the entire movie, or it's a reaction. Every time!
The problem is that, if you choose to believe that the magic ending isn't real, then a lot of stuff doesn't make sense anymore. Like how did she managed to escape a locked room without using magic.
I fully agree
@@sleepyfork5250 Like I said, I believe in both. Both the magic and the thought it's all in her head. I mention the chalk in another thread here somewhere, so I am not unfamiliar with the story. One can find themselves escaping where you'd think there is no possibility. Both in the fairy tale, and in reality.
I chose to believe in both...
As a kid I really love I have the mythical feels from this movie
"Gillmo" giggle, to quote Francis Foster, "Maybe you have a hard time learning other languages or maybe youre just English".
I was unable to see this film in the theater so when it came out on dvd I bought it without question because of who the director was. I was totally swept away by it. Of course reality brought me brutally back, but heck, it was easy to start floating again. I don't know why I didn't see the end coming. I'm not usually hornswoggled that easily. Maybe I'm not as jaded as I've always thought I was.
I enjoyed your interpretations :))
Great film, loved the reaction! JoJo Rabbit is another great movie that also involves seeing the WW2 time period and fascism from the perspective of a child. It's directed by Taika Waititi and is funny but also has moments of intensity.
Like many who first saw this film in a theater without any clue what it was about, I was horrified and stunned when it was over. Ordinarily I don't seek out violence and gore, since I'm not entertained by either, and too many main stream movies that use them, do it gratuitously and for titillation. In the war context of the film, and in contrast with the parallel fantasy story, all of the violence and ugliness here seemed "logical" and of a piece to me. It's a painfully dark and tragic film, but one of the few such films I regularly recommend. It's certainly in my top 10.
Great commentary as always! This movie is very nostalgic for me so it’s nice to you checking it out. Since you seem to like a lot of the films I like, try both of Robert Eggers’ films, The Witch (2015) and The Lighthouse (2019). They’re so strange and unique and right up your alley!
you guys got the metaphore of the pale man right! ...also the movie is open to interpretation, but Del Toro meant for it to be real, and left a few clues in the movie