Fridae

As it stands, Pan's Labyrinth has already grabbed more than 30 awards and nominations in award ceremonies around the world. It has appeared on several critics' lists of the Top 10 films of 2006. And it looks like a shoo-in for Best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars. The truth is it deserves all the prizes it's gotten � and more.

Pan's Labyrinth is a truly magical tale about a lonely girl (Ivana Baquero) living in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War. Frightened of her strict father and worried about her sick mother, she escapes into a fantasy world populated by fairies and monsters. There, she meets a faun (a half-man half-goat) who tells her that she is the lost princess of a secret world. But in order to return to her throne, she must first complete three dangerous tasks...

Pan's Labyrinth is a dark and creepy fairytale for adults. It's Alice in Wonderland-meets-Batman Begins. It is full of evil people, gruesome creatures and frightening places. But it is also about finding light, hope and happiness in a cold and dangerous world.

Ultimately, what makes this a standout film is the sheer power of the filmmaker's imagination. Writer-director Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy) surprises you at every turn with his fantastical creatures and settings. The make-up, costumes, special effects and overall production design are all first-rate.

Whether you're a fan of fantasy films like Spirited Away and The Dark Crystal � or not � you really shouldn't miss this film