Pan's Labyrinth Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Pan's Labyrinth Blu-ray Movie Review

Winner of multiple Oscar Awards, Guillermo del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth" (2006) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the disc original trailers and TV post; archival audio commentary with Guillermo del Toro; new video interview with actor Doug Jones; new video interview with Guillermo del Toro and novelist Cornelia Funke; archival featurettes; additional archival content; and more. In Spanish, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Pan's Labyrinth Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The following text appears inside the book that is provided with the Trilogía de Guillermo del Toro box set:

"For its theatrical release, the film was completed in 2K digital intermediate finishing process from the 35mm original camera negative. That digital intermediate provided the highest level of faithfulness to director Guillermo del Toro's original vision. For this release, further color changes were made throughout the feature to fully realize that vision. The film features a fully digital soundtrack. The 5.1 surround and 7.1 surround audio for this release was remastered from the original digital audio master files using Pro Tools HD.

Transfer supervisors: Guillermo del Toro, Lee Kline.
Colorist: Nick Lannelli/Deluxe Toronto."

The film now has a much sharper -- not artificially sharpened -- and cleaner appearance. Plenty of the darker footage also boasts vastly improved depth (see screencaptures #4 and 8). The outdoor footage looks better balanced and a lot more vibrant; on the previous transfer the visuals typically have a harshness that could be quite distracting at times. Color saturation is outstanding. In fact, even though the primaries remain largely untouched, there is an entirely new range of beautiful and healthy nuances that make quite a difference. Image stability is excellent. After I took our screencaptures I noticed that in a few darker areas some very light macroblocking tries to sneak in, but I was unable to spot it while viewing the film (see screencaptures #11 and 13). My score is 4.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Pan's Labyrinth Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I viewed the film with the Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Depth and clarity are optimized as best as possible. Dynamic intensity is also quite impressive, though it is quite clear that the film's original sound design is very ambitious. Separation is excellent and there are no range/balance issues to report. I did a few random comparisons with the Spanish: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track and I must admit that I could not hear a dramatic difference. (I tested the footage with the giant frog-like creature). It is possible that during select sequences the sound field is further expanded with minor enhancements in the rear channels, but I think that the 5.1 track handles the film exceptionally well.

Pan's Labyrinth Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Director's Introduction - this archival video introduction by director-writer-producer Guillermo del Toro was shot in 2007. In English, not subtitled. (1 min, 1080i).

• Del Toro and Funke - in this brand new video interview, Guillermo del Toro discusses his interest in fairy tales, the manner in which kids and adults approach and decipher them, the impact they had on his films, some of the key conflicts in Pan's Labyrinth and the world in which its protagonists exist, etc. Also participating is novelist Cornelia Funke (Inkheart). The interviews was conducted exclusively for Criterion in 2016. In English, not subtitled. (40 min, 1080p).

• Director's Notebook - presented here is an interactive gallery with Guillermo del Toro's notebook of drawings and sketches for Pan's Labyrinth, with short video inserts featuring comments from the director. The notebook was produced by Javier Soto in 2007. In English, not subtitled. (1080i).
  
  1. Del Toro Intro. (1 min).
  2. Gallery - with an interactive interface.

• Documentaries - the four documentaries were produced by Javier Soto in 2007.
  
  1. The Power of Myth - in this featurette, Guillermo del Toro discusses the specific time period that is depicted in Pan's Labyrinth, some of the symbolism that is channeled through the main story, and its main protagonists and the dilemmas they face. In English, not subtitled. (15 min, 1080i).
  
  2. Pan and the Fairies - in this this featurette, Guillermo del Toro discusses the many unique characters that appear in Pan's Labyrinth as well as the special effects/costumes that were used in the film. Also included in the featurette are clips from archival interviews with some of the special effects artists that contributed to the film. In English and Spanish, with optional English subtitles where necessary. (31 min, 1080i).
  
  3. The Color and the Shape - in this featurette, Guillermo del Toro discusses the use of color in Pan's Labyrinth and the film's visual style. In English, not subtitled. (5 min, 1080i).
  
  4. The Melody Echoes the Fairy Tale - in this featurette, Guillermo del Toro discusses his initial interactions with composer Javier Navarrete and the soundtrack he created for Pan's Labyrinth. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080i).

• Doug Jones - in this new video interview, actor Doug Jones, who plays the Faun and Pale Man, discusses his contribution to Pan's Labyrinth and Guillermo del Toro's working methods. Included in the interview is plenty of raw archival footage that shows the preparation work that was needed for his transformations before each shooting session. The interviews was conducted exclusively for Criterion in 2016. In English, not subtitled. (26 min, 1080p).

• Ivana Baquero Audion - presented here is archival footage from actress Ivana Baquero's audio for the role of Ofelia in Pan's Labyrinth which was shot on April 10, 2005. In Spanish, with optional English subtitles. (3 min, 1080i).

• Prequel Comics - presented here four animated comic-style stories with original tales for the unique creatures that are seen in Pan's Labyrinth, which were produced by Javier Soto and illustrated by Jason Shawn Alexander, Guy Davis, and Michael Kaluta in 2007. With sound effects.
  
  1. The Giant Toad. (1 min, 1080i).
  2. The Fairies. ( 1 min, 1080i).
  3. The Faun. (1 min, 1080i).
  4. The Pale Man (2 min, 1080i).

• Video Comparisons - presented here are three video pieces that offer before-and-after comparisons that highlight the type of work (from concept work to music) that was done during the pre-prodction process. The three pieces were produced in 2007.
  
  1. Lullaby. (3 min, 1080i).
  2. The Green Fairy. (2 min, 1080i).
  3. Thumbnails/Storyboards. (1080i).
  
  • Del Toro Intro
  • Ofelia Enters the Labyrinth
  • Ofelia and the Giant Toad
  • Death of the Doctor
  • Ofelia's Death

• Trailers and TV Spots - presented here is a large collection of original trailers and TV spots for Pan's Labyrinth.
  
  1. Teaser
  2. Trailer
  3. TV Spot: "Deadly"
  4. TV Spot: "Trap"
  5. TV Spot: "Three Tasks"
  6. TV Spot: "Top Critics"
  7. TV Spot: "Nominations"
  8. TV Spot: "Phenomenon"
  9. TV Spot: "Accolades"

• Commentary - this audio commentary by Guillermo del Toro was recorded in 2007 and initially appeared on New Line Cinema's release of Pan's Labyrinth. The director explains in great detail how the idea for the film emerged, where and how various sequences were shot, the film's unique narrative structure and visual style, etc.
  
  1. An important juxtaposition
  2. References and insects
  3. Camera movement
  4. Stunning single shot
  5. From true accounts
  6. Magical green hues
  7. Frustrating first day
  8. Wipes
  9. Pale Man foreshadowing
  10. Circles and curves
  11. Based on reality
  12. Subtle changes
  13. Noteworthy pattern
  14. Straight out of Goya
  15. The original story
  16. Magical moment
  17. No salaries
  18. Control freak
  19. Hopelessness
  20. Ambiguity of symbols
  21. Willful miscasting
  22. A satisfying scene
  23. "My favorite shot"
  24. Wings of fire
  25. Fairy-tale moment
  26. Immortality
  27. "From the heart"

• Leaflet - an illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by film critic Michael Atkinson.

• Book - a 100-page illustrated hardcover book featuring an introduction by author Neil Gaiman and essays by critics Michael Atkinson, Mark Kermode, and Maitland McDonagh, as well as production notes and original sketches by Guillermo del Toro and illustrators Carlos Giménez and Raúl Monge. (Note: The book is available only with the Trilogía de Guillermo del Toro box set).

Pan's Labyrinth Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Pan's Labyrinth has been recently remastered, with the involvement of its creator, Guillermo del Toro, and I think that folks that like the film will be very happy with the end result. The newly remastered Pan's Labyrinth will be available as a standard Blu-ray release as well as in the Trilogía de Guillermo del Toro deluxe box set, which also includes the early hits Cronos and The Devil's Backbone. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.