Review by Justin Bateman
Stars Federico Luppi, Ivana Baquero, Doug Jones, Ron Perlman, Eduardo Noriega | Written by Guillermo Del Toro
UK certification 18 | UK RRP £74.99 | DVD Region 2 | 3 discs | Directed by Guillermo Del Toro
For the first time on Blu-ray we have the pleasure of Guillermo Del Toro’s ‘Spanish collection’. Although perhaps more celebrated for his Hollywood canon (Mimic, Hellboy, Blade II, Hellboy II), these more personal films represent more closely Del Toro’s unique cinematic vision. It’s a great triumvirate and looks superb in high definition.
Cronos ???½ A 15th century Spanish alchemist and royal clockmaker devises a machine to make him live forever. But over the years its existence is all but forgotten about until Jesus Gris (Luppi), the ageing owner of an antiques shop, discovers it in an old statue. Curious as to its purpose he winds it up only to find it ‘sting’ him like an insect. It’s a painful process but one that makes him feel instantly younger. Meanwhile, a dying man has the ancient instructions to the machine and does what he can to retrieve it to save his life.
Del Toro’s debut feature is a typically dark tale and a quirky take on the vampire legend. But while it has elements of that oft-told story, Cronos has a slightly different agenda, with themes of death and hints of the sort of obsessive behaviour more associated with drug addiction. Federico Luppi underplays his unusual role nicely, while Ron Perlman – who would go on to become a Del Toro favourite – is perfect as the violent henchman. As is often the way with Del Toro productions, there is a child at the heart of the story, in this case Gris’ granddaughter, and as ever she has the naivety to accept her newly undead relative with a disconcerting sang froid.
The set up and opening half of Cronos is more interesting than the latter stages when it becomes more of a traditional horror flick, but there’s enough in the way of stylish invention and creativity here for this to be a cut above the majority of films in the genre.
The Devil’s Backbone ???? Set during the last days of the Spanish Civil War, this focuses on an orphanage haunted by the ghost of young boy who died in mysterious circumstances a few years previously. New boy Carlos has to fit in with the established kids, avoid being terrorised by the spirit of Santi and by Jacinto, a man with more than a few demons of his own.
The Devil’s Backbone is a good old-fashioned ghost story with plenty of Del Toro gruesomeness thrown in which doubtless keeps the horror fans happy too. But it’s the lightness of touch, the beautiful lighting and photography, as well as a compelling plotline which really makes this stand out. Children provide the driving force behind the story and Del Toro shows it’s an effective way to cut through the dishonesty that comes with being an adult. Eduardo Noriega is convincingly mean as Jacinto despite his matinee idol good looks, while the innocence and bravery of the kids shines through in an affecting way. Creepy, dark and unsettling, this is a minor classic.
Pan’s Labyrinth ????½ This is the film that Del Toro says is most personal to him and so it is perhaps unsurprising that it is also the one which brought him so much global recognition. ‘Write what you know’, they always say and clearly Del Toro knows his own mind and vivid imagination very well indeed for Pan’s Labyrinth is as inventive a world as cinema has seen.
Part Gilliam, part Cronenberg, all Mexican fantasy maestro, Pan’s Labyrinth is a twisted vision, a unique and unforgettable creation. The Spanish Civil War is not long over and Franco’s regime is in full effect. With her mother, young girl Ofelia moves into their new home overseen by her cold and ruthless stepfather. She soon discovers a long-lost secret labyrinth beneath the house where she meets Pan, a goat, who sets her three tasks.
As well as being a compelling (and very dark) fairytale, this also represents how children cope with stressful situations , for better or for worse, and highlights the fact that no one is perfect, not even the innocent. There’s no doubt that this is a very weird film but it’s also incredibly beautiful, melancholy and moving. And if you’ve seen and enjoyed Cronos and The Devils’ Backbone this will be right up your maze.
EXTRAS ★★★★
Cronos Director’s commentary; Three interviews, the original one from the DVD and a new 2010 one with Del Toro, and the one with director of photography Guillermo Navarro from the DVD; The Making of Cronos; Vintage short film “Geometria” remastered by Guillermo Del Toro – this is a pretty funny little horror film about a boy who calls up a demon so he doesn’t flunk geometry ever again; Production galleries; and the Trailer.
The Devil’s Backbone Director’s commentary; A video prologue from Del Toro, explaining that there are extras specifically for the Blu-ray; a Behind the Scenes featurette; two Special Effects featurettes, one on the aerial bombardment and one on the ghost; the Theatrical Trailer; Of Ghosts and Faun’s – Del Toro’s Spanish Civil War, in which the director explains the similarities and differences between this films and Pan’s Labyrinth; Biographies; and Storyboards.
Pan’s Labyrinth The same extras that appear on the 2-disc DVD, to wit: Director’s commentary; A video prologue from Del Toro; Guardian interview at the NFT; The Power of Myth; Motion Menu Prequel Stories; four DVD comic sketches; El Fauno y las Hadas; The Colour and the Shape; Storyboard & Thumbnail Compares; VFX Plate COmpate – Del Toro and the Green Fairy; Director’s Notebook; The Melody Echoes the Fairytale; Mercedes’ Lullaby; Poster Gallery; and the Trailer.