The Devil's Backbone
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VHS Movie Reviews of The Devil's Backbone
Movie Review: Masterful Command of Sound and Colour That Is Breathtaking, 12 Sep 2007
Summary: 4 Stars
Plot:
10 yr-old Carlos arrives at a Spanish school sheltering the orphans of the Republican militia only to discover it has many supernatural secrets.
My Review:
Albeit that Pan's Labyrinth did undoubtedly well, take it amongst yourselves to watch the first and second in Del Toro' magical trilogy. This second in a trilogy revolves around a group of boys and this time, an old-fashioned wartime ghost story. This not just because that dir. Del Toro's has a hovering and poignant ghost story to tell that harnesses more substance, 'jump-factor', and is executed with rather more style than the whole number of Hollywood' asinine lack lusting scare movies, but recent work for a major studio, working in Mimic, allowed Del Toro to refresh himself.
Our protagonist is a 10 yr-old Carlos (Fernando Tielve) who doesn't take on being bullied so easily, even after being abandoned in the school by his fathers friend and picked on since day one, all those who remember starting a new school will connect and laugh with this young witty troublesome attraction and to his likable friends that refuse to boycott him. Del Toro manages to yet again swindle directing children to startling effect. No corny-ness, but with all the decent, funny and if not typical young-to-teenage boy idiosyncrasies, that range from comics, model cars and dirty pictures.
Providing the support and adult figures to some of the disobedient children, is headmistress Carmen (Marisa Paredes), whom isn't hard, demeaning or strict but reluctant to take on more kids, she's tough despite the effect the war has had on her. The likable Dr. Casares (Federico Luppi) who provides assistance and understanding to the boys and Carlos in particular when the vivid appearances of a school-boy ghost 'Santi' make claim. He is warm-hearted and passionate towards his job, and gets to defend its keep from a man Jacinto (Eduardo Noriega) who is a depressed ex-school boy whom now works at the school for pleasurable means to the headmistress and caretaker, who could easily be compared to Captain Vidal in Pan's Labyrinth. Even the local bully Jaime (??igo Garc?s) has deep roots towards the complex, but there is always a reason for being brute and far too familiar with local surroundings.
The Spanish language goes to find its deeper roots for a complex horror set in a school for orphaned boys during the Spanish Civil War. Some unaware of the deaths of family members. From the crisp start to finish Del Toro manages to unite all his divergent rudiments - horror and gold, fear and infidelity and politics and civil war - to amazement.
Verdict:
If indeed Pan's Labyrinth would be the proverbial Red Wine or Bordeaux, Devil's Backbone just happens to be the fine Scotch Whisky. 8.5/10.
Movie Review: A damn fine ghost story.
Summary: 5 Stars
A great film that shows where Guillermo was headed before Pan's Labyrinth. Very atmospheric and beautiful to watch.Movie Review: What the heck????
Summary: 1 Stars
My husband and I are Horror Movie junkies so when I ran across this movie on Amazon and saw all the great reviews I thought it would be a pleasant suprise to see something new and from another country. I was so excited to show him but after watching it I was embarrased I had made such a fuss about how "scary" this movie was before I saw it, talk about putting my foot in my mouth! Now on that note, I dont like every scary movie out there!!! I dont consider "horror" movies to always incorporate blood, gore,and violence AND I totally understand sometimes you have to have a story line and build up to the suspense. I also don't consider movies that are too jump at you scary or lets just get naked the whole movie to be considered as a great "horror" film in my book.
So with that in mind, I thought I would write this review because this film was really mismarketed in the US. I understand that foreign movies are different and I have seen a couple that were actually ok. First of all the movie had really crappy special effects on the "ghost" which in turn was hard for me to take seriously. Now im not one to really like a movie for special effects but it just seemed so cheaply made. I tried to tell myself that this movie will get better but sure enough it didnt. Second this movie was sooooo predictable,I guessed about half the movie and was right the whole time. Ive seen this story line used in dozens of movies, you know the scary ghost child that pops up every now and then trying to tell someone what bad thing happened to them yadda yadda.Some movies acutally pull this off very well, BUT sorry I have to say it... not this one. Thirdly I had NO idea what the "Devils Backbone" had anything to do with the story, other than knowing what a Devils Backbone is now.
There were some scenes that were beautifully filmed and some cool story lines.... but even then they still had nothing to do with the movie and eventually faded off. Beautiful scenes are NOT going to carry a movie for too long and this movies plot just didnt deliver for me what I believe should be a "horror" film. I was waiting for intense "spooky" on the edge of my seat moments that just never happened. This film reminded me of the "Novellas" my mom used to watch on the spanish channel, very over the top emotion and acting and lots of Drama. In the end my husband and I had a good time experiencing a new "type" of horror film together, but this movie left me feeling ripped off of my money and left me wondering what all the hype was about. P.S if you want to see a good Del Toro film watch Hell Boy 1 and 2!!!
Movie Review: What is a ghost?
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved 'Pan's Labyrinth' but 'The Devil's Backbone' is by far my favorite Guillermo Del Toro film. It is a great movie, beautifully acted, directed and filmed with a very believable and original story line. Not so scary per se, more intensely thrilling with a supernatural twist.
'The Devil's Backbone' is a story which involves ghosts, or the skeletons that one may have in their closet, and how that motivates our present actions and decisions. It is a memorable film which will make you think, more than it scares you, one worth watching time and again.
Gwen Paddington
Movie Review: Go ahead and buy it!
Summary: 5 Stars
To anyone that's hesitant about buying this film, do yourself a favor and add it to your cart. Like most people, I wasn't even aware of this movie until after I had watched Pan's Labyrinth. Once I did some research on Guillermo del Toro, I instantly knew that this was a must-see. Del toro has said that of all the movies he has directed, this is his personal favorite. He began writing the story when he was in college and all-together the film was in development for sixteen years. The part that interested me the most was that del Toro said that this and Pan's Labyrinth were designed to be sibling films, DB being the masculine "brother" film, and Labyrinth as the feminine "sister" film. Aside from the Spanish Revolution, the plots aren't very similar, but this film definitely has the same "feel" as Pan's Labyrinth. They are both richly atmospheric, violent, and somewhat sensual adult fantasies. If you enjoy one it's almost impossible not to enjoy the other. The DVD itself is also great with a really cool interactive menu and a wonderful commentary by del Toro himself. Highly recommended!
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