Pan's Labyrinth (DVD)

Postwar Spain, 1944. Pan (Doug Jones) is a jagged, steeply angular fairyland faun who encounters a soft, luminous little Spanish girl called Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), and turns her world into a labyrinth of confusion, comfort, longing, and agonizing life-and-death choices.

Using fantasy and horror to explore the darkness of human nature, del Toro gives us a bravura film that is a cautionary gothic fable in every way. Pan's Labyrinth is a dazzle of deep forests, hidden passageways, creepy creatures, a wicked stepparent, cruelty, undying love, dark promises, deadly danger, and grotesqueries galore.

It is finally on disc, and well worth watching (or re-watching) on the smaller screen. The double-disc set is absolutely amazing, jam-packed with gems!

DVD Features:

• Video Introduction and Commentary by Guillermo del Toro – As ever, del Toro is the best director/commentator in the business. He really knows how to impart information in an intelligent, but easygoing and friendly manner. As you listen to him talk, it's almost as though you can imagine him sitting right beside you, talking just to you. He's got a real gift of gab, and this commentary is no exception.

• Featurettes:

- The Power of Myth

- The Faun and the Fairies

- The Color and The Shape

These featurettes go in-depth about the myriad of aspects it took to bring this fairytale to life, not the least of which is actor Doug Jones's awe-inspiring transformation from regular guy to mythical creatures. Very well done, indeed!

• The Charlie Rose Show featuring Guillermo del Toro
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• The Director's Notebook
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• Production Sketches
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• Storyboard Video Prologue by Guillermo del Toro
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• Storyboard/thumbnail Compares
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• Theatrical Teaser and Trailer, TV Spots

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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson

Don't forget to check out Horror.com's own exclusive interviews with del Toro and the cast