Pan’s Labyrinth is, at once, haunting and comforting. Part historical drama and part fantastical fairy tale, writer/director Guillermo del Toro’s masterpiece is unlike anything I’ve seen onscreen.

By combining his captivating storytelling with the stunning visuals of cinematographer Guillermo Navarro, del Toro truly lifts the viewer out of the auditorium seat and into his realm.

When young Ofelia’s pregnant mother commits to the treacherous Captain Vidal, the two join him at an isolated military camp as the Spanish Civil War has ended and Fascists have come into power.

Upon arrival, Ofelia discovers an ancient maze on the property and its guardian faun, the titular Pan, who tells her she’s a princess reincarnate and sets her off on a series of tasks to prove her worthiness of the title. With her mother sick with Vidal’s child and the imposing captain busy fighting the resistance in the surrounding woods, her extended absences are hardly noticed but by the house staff.

In Spanish with unobtrusive English subtitles, the film flows gracefully from the dark and dreary grey of its contemporary world into the colorful and surreal extravagance of its other dimension. The special effects seem effortless and its characters are ominous and alluring, full of secrets and hidden treasures.

Young Baquero’s performance is mesmerizing, full of innocence and inner strength as she explores this underworld, having her competence and courage tested with every task. In fact, each of the movie’s performances is flawless.

Pan’s Labyrinth is a rare cinematic gem that combines all these crucial elements of filmmaking, while adding an intriguing plot a mystical soundtrack and memorable villains, including the daunting Pale Man.

Having recently made its way to Murfreesboro, see it quickly before it disappears. It would be a disgrace not to see this film on the big screen as it’s intended.