pans labyrinth

i had the opportunity to see this film last weekend. its not in a really wide release yet, but we got lucky enough to get it here a bit early. if you are unfamiliar with the film (as i am finding most people are), let me give you a brief introduction to it. its a film by guillermo del toro, who also directed blade 2 and hellboy- both of which are favorites of mine. going in to 'pans' i didnt know all that much about it, but i knew that if del toro was directing i would love it.
the film is a mix between a brutal war horror story, and an enchanting fairytale. a strange combination, to be sure. its the story of a young girl who is transplanted with her mother to live with her stepfather on the front line of the guerrilla warfare after the spanish civil war. her father in law must stop the insurgents by any means necessary. along the way the young girl happens upon a few fairytale creatures and set off to find her destiny.
a little strange, but the execution is what gives it so much power. the stepfather is a monstrous brute when dealing with the enemy. some of his scenes are very hard to watch. there is definitely a reason the film is rated 'r'. the other aspect of the film is the amazing wonder and beauty that is displayed in the fairytale aspect of the film. its not all cut and dry though. some of the real world stuff is touching, and some of the fairytale stuff is quite horrific. to be honest, there is a scene where the girl meets a creature with eyes in his hands, and it is one of the most terrifying things i have ever seen in a movie! i was panting to catch my breath when the encounter was over.
it was moving, it was shocking, yet, it was beautiful. definitely the best movie i have seen in years.