posted
I had heard Pan's Labaryth' (Spelled incorrectly, I know) was a good movie, and it came on a cable channel last night, and liked what I saw of it. My younger sister was watching it with me.
Anyway, I had to leave to pick up my father from work right after Ophelia took a bath (After completing the first task)
Upon my return (Which was about 30-45 minutes later), my sister told me that the violence was so bad that she could hardly stomach it. If that's the case, I don't stand a chance, since I'm horrible with violence (Even cheesy violence that doesn't look real.)
Aparently, there was a scene involving somebody's cheek and a knife...
Anyway, I'm considering getting the movie on netflix (My sister didn't get to see the end either), but before I get it, I want to know, is the movie really good enough to be worth my seeing the violence?
Posts: 438 | Registered: May 2006
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I covered my eyes during the really bad parts and did okay, but I didn't like the focus on violence in the movie.
Posts: 1676 | Registered: Jul 2000
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The violence isn't any worse than your average action movie. The only reason people talk about the violence being so bad is because they didn't expect it -- they thought it was a kid's movie.
The emotional trauma towards the end is pretty bad though...
Posts: 930 | Registered: Dec 2006
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It's realy good, but several parts had me cringing in horror. I had to cover my eyes and sort of moan until they were over. Think really dark faery tale.. I could tell you which scenes you need to cover your eyes for.
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
Yeah, that scene with the cheek and the knife made me wince, and I normally laugh in the face of danger (no, seriously - when I go to horror movies and the killer's stalking someone or the "heroes" are in trouble, I laugh out loud. I think it's my way of showing apprehension or something).
Posts: 3932 | Registered: Sep 1999
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The movie is brutal, but not like the typical action or horror movie. It had a message. The fact that Ophelia's imaginary world can be more violent than the real world is powerful, and makes the movie worth watching for even the most squeamish of individuals (but not for children! My mother's co-worker almost took her 4 and 6 year old to the movie, because she thought it was like a fairy tale. Those kids would be messed up if my mom and I didn't step in).
Posts: 1711 | Registered: Jun 2004
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I just finished watching this movie last night.
You're already past the part where the Captain bashes the guy's nose in with a bottle, and that was the violence that made me cringe the most. That was probably because it was the first, and unexpected. Still, it gets very brutal by the end, so be prepared to cover your eyes if you need to. I think the movie was worth it, and it wouldn't have been the same movie without the brutality, but it did take a toll on me. I don't think I could stand to watch it again for several months, at least.
posted
Yes, the movie is worth stomaching the violence. Very much so. I agree with the White Whale. I actually recommend not closing your eyes for all of the brutal parts, and seeing how it impacts the way you view the movie.
Posts: 368 | Registered: Aug 2007
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I thought the violence was pretty icky, to be honest. However, you usually have enough advance warning to cover your eyes through the icky bits; it's especially good if you watch it with a non-squeamish person and have them tell you when it's okay to look.
But yes, I would say it's definitely worth seeing in spite of the yucky.
Posts: 910 | Registered: May 2000
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I had my hands over my eyes for probably 1/4-1/3 of the movie, which made it a little difficult to read the subtitles.
Posts: 1547 | Registered: Jan 2004
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That movie is intense, no doubt about it. More so, in fact, than other violent movies, because it's so real in this one. It would make almost anyone squirm.
But so much of that movie is about exploring the ways in which we deal with horror. I think the payoff, in the end, will be much even greater for someone who is normally "squeamish."
I'm glad you've decided to finish the movie. It really is a superb film in every way.
Posts: 2907 | Registered: Nov 2005
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My favorite movie in recent years. The film is very violent though. The violence is very intense and is more realistically depected than in most action movies. BTW, this is not an action movie, and it is definitely not for the squeamish or for children.
Posts: 407 | Registered: Mar 2006
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The violence is very memorable. If you really don't like it, it may not be worth it. It's a beautiful movie, but the violence is central to the action and meaning.
Posts: 1753 | Registered: Aug 2002
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The violence didn't bother me. The horror is what made me feel like I watched a snuff film. It was the best film I could never recommend.
*Spoilers*
There was something so casual about killing the son in front of the dad that hit me like a ton of bricks to my stomach. Seeing people in power with such disregard for life...it got under my skin. Plus I have a 3 year old boy that...I just didn't want to think about what has happened to families.
The girls death...the torture...it was too real for a fantasy movie--which makes it the best type of fantasy. The blood was not too gross for me, it was the psychological horror of it all. The movie got under my skin in a very icky way.
*End Spoilers*
It was a very good movie, I just could never recommend it.
Posts: 2445 | Registered: Oct 2004
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I was intrigued, but the amount of physical and psychological violence made it impossible for me to watch it, or even listen to it. I had to leave the room until the movie was over.
Posts: 14745 | Registered: Dec 1999
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I really liked the movie, but I had to close my eyes during several parts, because it was hideously violent. I can take action movie violence, but the realistic and disturbing violence almost ruined the movie for me. I enjoyed it, but I don't know if I'd watch it again. I think the movie could have been just as good if the violence and evil were still there, but less graphic.
Posts: 3950 | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote:Originally posted by MightyCow: I think the movie could have been just as good if the violence and evil were still there, but less graphic.
Sure, but then it would have been a fundamentally different film. Shrek and The Lion King were great flicks--but they were shooting for a different purpose, I'd reckon.
Graphic violence is graphic, but not real. The viewer is aware of this.
Posts: 433 | Registered: Feb 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Tara: The violence isn't any worse than your average action movie. The only reason people talk about the violence being so bad is because they didn't expect it -- they thought it was a kid's movie.
No I don't agree at all. The violence is disturbing because in action movies most violence is implied. For example, Pulp Fiction's violence is nearly all off screen, with only the reactions to the violence actually shown. The same is true for many supposedly violent movies.
Contrarily, Pan's Labarynth is very direct in it's violent moments. The scene with the nose being smashed in is a good example- it is done in one take and the angle is not changed to feature the reactions of onlookers until the deed is done. The directness of the action is startling because audiences normally anticipate being spared seeing truly brutal acts. The scene where a man is shot in the face is the same sort of thing- in most action movies the gunshot would be the implied act, with the face of the shooter featured, rather than the act being made visible.
PL is in fact more directly brutal than most movies.
I would say the most shockingly out of place gore I have ever seen in a film though, would have to be a certain scene involving a church in Hot Fuzz. It temporarily ruins a perfectly good movie with the gut wrenching horror of the moment.
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
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It's not that the violence is so much more than other movies, but it is shocking and there is a lot of hatred and cruelty involved. For example, a man is caught with his son (suspected enemy combatants)and it was so tense that I expected something to happen - something like them getting shot. What actually happened is that he beat the son in the face (can't remember with what), in front of his father, again and again until he crushed it in so badly he died. It was an awful moment.
The film is powerful, and it's not all bad, but the violence IS formidible and upsetting.
Posts: 2451 | Registered: Aug 2001
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I think to me that was one of the most intense, horrifying scenes in the film actually. Not just because of the violence, but because of te Captain's casual reaction to his enormous error. As I recall, it was a stout looking bottle of wine. He wasn't beating him with it so much as he was stabbing him with an object about as blunt as it could be and still be considered 'pointed'. He did this while the man's father was whimpering in horror right next to his son, and then proceeded to murder the father with a gun.
He did this because he was convinced they were spies or partisans, and they claimed they were out hunting rabbits. Before even searching them completely he proceeds to the interrogation, and then the casual murders. Only after that does he complete the search, to find the bag has a hunted rabbit. He was as irritated as if someone had incorrectly laundered his shirt.
--------------------
Like she says, the violence is formidible and upsetting at the least...but I'm afraid it's never casual, gratuitous, or titilating.
Posts: 17164 | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
I have a question about this movie. I didn’t go to the theater to see it (even though I kind of wanted to see it) because I heard it was in Spanish with English subtitles. I hate subtitles. Has the DVD version been translated and overdubbed into English so I can watch it without subtitles?
[ October 16, 2007, 01:55 AM: Message edited by: Samuel Bush ]
Posts: 631 | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
I remember seeing Hero with American dubbing. It was truly sad. I may struggle with reading and watching the action, but there are such powerful moments in that movie that I wouldn't trade the subtitles for any other solution.
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Rakeesh: Howdy! Haven't seen you in awhile.
SPOILER!!
I think to me that was one of the most intense, horrifying scenes in the film actually. Not just because of the violence, but because of te Captain's casual reaction to his enormous error. As I recall, it was a stout looking bottle of wine. He wasn't beating him with it so much as he was stabbing him with an object about as blunt as it could be and still be considered 'pointed'. He did this while the man's father was whimpering in horror right next to his son, and then proceeded to murder the father with a gun.
He did this because he was convinced they were spies or partisans, and they claimed they were out hunting rabbits. Before even searching them completely he proceeds to the interrogation, and then the casual murders. Only after that does he complete the search, to find the bag has a hunted rabbit. He was as irritated as if someone had incorrectly laundered his shirt.
I think you might be the first person here to actually remember me and say 'hi'. Thanks.
Actually, that's the thing. His comment afterwards about preparing the rabbits seemed to imply that he knew they were not suspect. I honestly think it killed the boy just for speaking out of turn when he'd told him to shut up.
I will give them movie-making snaps for the ending. It was terribly sad and beautiful, more beautiful for being so tragic.
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