Having never fully seen the film and being in need of writing a paper comparing a Latin American film to an American film for class, is there any film like this one that is American?
shareNo.
tHe MuRdER CaPiTaL oF thE woRLd
"walk into this world with you head up high"
I can't think of a suitable comparison either. Also ... there would be a big difference between comparing it with, say, a Michael Bay film, on one hand, and a Terry Malick film, on the other, so I am not sure how meaningful the Latin / American contrast would be ...
Nonetheless it sounds like an interesting project.
Here is a reaction that I have recently written to Pan's Labyrinth.
http://mymusingsonfilm.wordpress.com/2013/12/14/pans-labyrinth/
I have a weird way of sorting my DVD's on my shelf. I like to order my movies in a sequence of related films (not necessarily by genre, but in many times by similar themes).
Although not entirely the same, I stick Pan's Labyrinth on my shelf next to MirrorMask and Jim Henson's Labyrinth, which are both "American" in origin.
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MirrorMask Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA1iawlsKLg
IMDB Synopsis:
In a fantasy world of opposing kingdoms, a 15-year old girl named Helena who works at the family circus with her father and mother, who wishes--quite ironically--that she could run away from the circus and join 'real life'. But such is not to be the case, as she finds herself on a strange journey into the Dark Lands, a fantastic landscape filled with giants, Monkeybirds and dangerous sphinxes. She must find the fabled MirrorMask in order to save the kingdom and get back home.
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And while I do not own it, the "faerie" element of the film reminded me alot of the Spiderwick Chronicles.
Depending exactly what you are writing about, there are many ways you could go about comparing this movie to other films. Pan's Labyrinth, in essence, is built on archetypes, and was crafted in a very allegorical fashion.
The Wizard of Oz comes to mind almost immediately when regarding archetypes and allegory. Perhaps the darker "sequel" Return to Oz would make a better comparison. While Return to Oz might not live up to Pan's Labyrinth in terms of special effects, it certainly would make an interesting comparison in story.
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Return to Oz Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipivUGVydMY
IMDB Synopsis:
Dorothy Gale has recently come home to Kansas from the Land of Oz is now almost back to perfect health since the incident of the tornado, only she cannot get that wonderful place out of her head. She frequently talks about it and cannot get any sleep at night. Aunt Em worries about her health/well-being. Thinking that she is suffering delusional depression and acute insomnia, she decides to take her to see a special doctor in another town. While he tries to treat her with electro-shock treatment and take those nasty dreams away from her head, she is rescued by a mysterious girl who leads her back to Oz for a new adventure.
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Del Toro himself has made a comparison of his work to Narnia, and it appears to be set in a similar time period.
"This is my version of that universe, not only 'Narnia,' but that universe of children's literature."
Although, this would make it "British" in origin, and perhaps you aren't going for that. But it does provide some credential to the comparison when Del Toro asserts the similarities.
Much can be said anyways on British Literature being intrinsic to American culture. Actually, I think you might fare better comparing Pan's Labyrinth to Young Adult and Children's Literature and Fairy Tales than to Hollywood film.
J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, Carol's Alice in Wonderland, Roald Dahl's Matilda, Pullman's His Dark Materials, hell...even a comparison to Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream would be interesting. Does it have to be so narrowly defined as American?
Paulo Coelho's Alchemist would be a good literary comparison to throw in as an allegory representative of Latin American literature.
The closest I can think of is the original version of "The Crow" which was Brandon Lee's first film. The viewpoint character of Sarah really gives the film its heart and makes it not just a tale of revenge.
I think Bridge of Terabithia has some similarities with this one, and is also a very beautiful and sad film.
shareI second 'The Fall, and 'Bridge To Terabithia'. Both great films (although while 'The Fall' is visually stunning, 'Bridge...' has a lot more heart).
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I am the man of La Mancha...my dream is impossible
Oh yeah, I had forgot all about The Fall. That one's even darker than this one, and the little girl (Katinka, I think it was her name) was probably the most adorable character I have ever seen in a film.
In fact, I think I would rate both The Fall and BtT above Pan's Labyrinth, even though it was the later one the one which ended up getting all the praise.
American cinema is full of great films..... And if you disagree, you can write a paper on anything really.
shareI'm surprised no one mentioned The Fountain, starring Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz.
Strip away the phony tinsel of Hollywood and you find the real tinsel underneath.
Jacob's ladder.
shareGood film. And there were some interesting parallels...
Strip away the phony tinsel of Hollywood and you find the real tinsel underneath.
I mean...there is always LABYRINTH. David Bowie in spandex. What isn't similar? xD
My life tends to be shaken, not stirred.
Bridge of Terabithia might be the closest I've come across, but IMO, it doesn't have the depth, cleverness and converging dual story lines of this film.🐭
shareI loved the movie Labyrinth, but it's a much more light-hearted affair suitable for viewing by children. Pan's Labyrinth can be hard on adults.
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Strip away the phony tinsel of Hollywood and you find the real tinsel underneath.