ADDITION: Warner 4K UHD (October 2019): I always shudder when I see "New Line" associated with a digital product. In my experience it is the division of Warner that they send projects to - and they can get digitized to varying degrees (see "Dark City", "The Mask", "Boogie Nights" etc.). I'm not saying it happened in this case only that I found the 3840 X 2160 resolution looked unusual on my two systems. Especially in the beginning it appeared very dark (which I liked) and almost saturated in spots (looking digitized) which is markedly different from the 2016 Criterion Blu-ray. It also had some waxy softness, flatness, lacking textures, that I wasn't prepared for. There were also parts with moiring - obscuring detail. Overall, the 4K UHD image improves in many areas - I prefer the richer, deeper, presentation as I found it suited the film but there were spots I raised my eyebrows. As it stated in the Criterion Blu-ray package booklet: "For it's theatrical release the film was completed in a 2K digital intermediate finishing process from the 35mm original camera negative. That digital intermediate provides 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." So, perhaps on your system you won't see the same issues, but I thought it prudent to mention them. I had high hopes for this visually rich and creative film and perhaps my expectations were unrealistic - regardless, I wouldn't place this high in the 'impressive' 4K UHD category regarding image. Although it did surpass the compared Blu-ray on my system but I couldn't shake the hints of DNR-like digitization.

It is likely that the monitor you are seeing this review is not an HDR-compatible display (High Dynamic Range) or Dolby Vision, where each pixel can be assigned with a wider and notably granular range of color and light. Our capture software if simulating the HDR (in a uniform manner) for standard monitors. This should make it easier for us to review more 4K UHD titles in the future and give you a decent idea of its attributes on your system. So our captures may not support the exact same colors (coolness of skin tones, brighter or darker hues etc.) as the 4K system at your home. But the framing, detail, grain texture support etc. are, generally, not effected by this simulation representation.

NOTE: I own two different 4K systems and transfers frequently show a variance in the image presentation depending on the system and its set-up. This is also true of computer monitors. It is highly unlikely that these captures reflect the exact same color balance and brightness as on your home system, but the detail, grain support and other attributes will, hopefully, give you an indication of the value of this 3840 X 2160 resolution and restoration. I cannot say how you will like it on your 4K UHD set-up - only that I think it looked outstanding on mine. 

We have reviewed the following 4K UHD packages to date: The Wizard of Oz,(software uniformly simulated HDR), The Shining, (software uniformly simulated HDR), Batman Returns (software uniformly simulated HDR), Don't Look Now (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Man Who Killed Killed and then The Bigfoot  (software uniformly simulated HDR),,  Bram Stoker's Dracula (software uniformly simulated HDR), Lucy (software uniformly simulated HDR), They Live (software uniformly simulated HDR),  Shutter Island (software uniformly simulated HDR),  The Matrix (software uniformly simulated HDR), Alien (software uniformly simulated HDR), Toy Story (software uniformly simulated HDR),  A Few Good Men (software uniformly simulated HDR),  2001: A Space Odyssey (HDR caps udated), Schindler's List (simulated HDR), The Neon Demon (No HDR), Dawn of the Dead (No HDR), Saving Private Ryan (simulated HDR and 'raw' captures), Suspiria (No HDR), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (No HDR), The Big Lebowski, and I Am Legend (simulated and 'raw' HDR captures).

This audio is not in Dolby Atmos but rather a robust DTS-HD Master in 7.1 surround (my software recognizes it as 5.1) in the original (and beautiful) Spanish language. Separations are not intrusively abundant but exist although overall I wouldn't put this dynamically better than the Criterion - which, btw, is more robust. No big advancement. There are English and Spanish subtitles and as with all 4K UHD discs, this is Region 'Free' - playable worldwide. 

The only extra on the 4K UHD disc is the previous, and excellent, commentary. But the included Blu-ray has the October 2007 DB files and its the same as Warner's Blu-ray  release HERE with the same a/v transfer. It has extras that include the commentary, plus 'Enhanced Visual Commentary" with a pop-up window showing the director or effects, as well as the four 2007 making-of documentaries examining the characters, special effects, themes, and music of the film (The Power of Myth - 14:24, Pan and the Fairies - 30:28, The Colors and the Shape - 4:03 and The Melody Echoes the Fairy Tale - 2:48), Interactive director’s notebook, comics, an hour long Charlie Rose interview with Alejandro González Iñárritu, Alfonso Cuarón, and Guillermo del Toro etc.. There is a leaflet with a code for a digital copy.

I was pleased to view Pan’s Labyrinth in the 4K UHD presentation although it didn't rise the my anticipation of excellence and those sensitive to digitization should beware. Whether you are a serious fan of the film - then the upgrade seems acceptable - or any type of cinephile at all - having this on Blu-ray or 4K UHD is essential. The commentary is, alone, worth the price of admission, include in that a film masterwork of fantasy, innocence, politics... and many feel THIS is a belated reason that he won the Oscar - orders of magnitude superior to The Shape of Water, imho.

Gary Tooze

***

ADDITION: Criterion Region 'A' Blu-ray - October 2016: Firstly, I feel so privileged to have the Trilogía de Guillermo del Toro set in my possession. Although, as most are aware, both Cronos and The Devil's Backbone are the same transfers and content from Criterion's previous Blu-rays. Even the liner notes booklet content is now housed in a beautiful 100-page hardback book with many drawing, production sketches and essays for the three films. It's quite spectacular package (see our photo above.) I'll be doing a separate review on the entire boxset soon.

Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth gets the Criterion treatment with an impressive dual-layered transfer in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. It states on the final pages of the hardcover book that "For it's theatrical release the film was completed in a 2K digital intermediate finishing process from the 35mm original camera negative. That digital intermediate provides 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 Blu-ray release were remastered from the original digital audio master files using Pro Tools HD. Guillermo del Toro was part of the supervision process."

While the DVD has a beautiful image (more kudos to the film style) the higher resolution adds deeper, richer black levels in a slightly darker presentation. It can tend to look yellow-ish in some sequences but the overall image quality is impressive in-motion. It looks heavy and cinematic - often breathtaking with the various effects. With the lights out the visuals are mesmerizing.

We are given the option of two, very robust, audio tracks - a 5.1 surround track at a healthy 4040 kbps or a similar lossless encode in 7.1 surround at a whopping 5169 kbps - both are 24-bit and in the original Spanish language. The depth seems capable of overpowering the narrative but always stays a close step behind - nudging the film's balance between gentleness and hard reality. The effects are impressive - not so much sneaking up on you - but the score by Javier Navarrete (also worked on del Toro's The Devil's Backbone) - has a very epic, suspense-building and classic feel to it. The music is perfectly suiting the film and sounding full and rich in the lossless tracks. Perhaps the best audio I've heard on a Blu-ray this year. I continue to listen while I write this. There are optional English subtitles on the region 'A'-locked disc.

There are plenty of new extras as well as supplements from the 2007 DVD releases including the audio commentary and introduction by del Toro. There are other extras repeated like the storyboard/thumbnail comparisons and trailers. Criterion add new interview; 40-minutes with del Toro conducted by novelist Cornelia Funke about Pan’s Labyrinth. She delves into the filmmaker's inspirations and the resonance of fantasy and fairy tales. There is also a new, 26-minute, interview with actor Doug Jones about his iconic dual roles as 'the faun' and the 'Pale Man' in Pan’s Labyrinth. We get four 2007 making-of documentaries, produced by Javier Soto, examining the characters, special effects, themes, and music of the film. They run as follows; The Power of Myth - 14:24, Pan and the Fairies - 30:28, The Colors and the Shape - 4:03 and The Melody Echoes the Fairy Tale - 2:48. We get the Interactive director’s notebook and some short footage of actor Ivana Baquero’s audition for the film. There are keen animated comics featuring prequel stories for the film’s menagerie of creatures. They are pretty cool. The liner notes booklet contains an essay by film critic Michael Atkinson (as mentioned - also in the Trilogía de Guillermo del Toro 's hardback.

Wow... powerful stuff - quite the blend of horror, political overtones and childhood innocence. Pan’s Labyrinth is such a visual feast - creating its own universe of characters, environments and adventures. Criterion's Blu-ray is at their usual atmospheric level or quality and the Trilogía de Guillermo del Toro Blu-ray package is as sweet as it gets. Brilliant stuff - another 'keeper'. Our highest recommendation!

***

ON THE DVD: The Optimum DVD looks just about perfect. The tone of the film shows darkness and warmth and the print used represents that faithfully. The anamorphic, progressive image is tight to the frame and shows solid detail and contrast. It looks as exceptional as you might expect from a modern healthy budgeted film. I suppose I could be picky and find some minor flaws but the grandeur of the film's appearance should not be minimized. No artefacts and the only softness was that inherent in the CGI effects.

There are nicely rendered optional English subtitles and two audio choices pf original Spanish in both 5.1 and stereo. I tested both and the 5.1 sounded quite crisp and intense.

Disc one offers a commentary with Guillermo del Toro. His English is quite good and he talks of Pan's Labyrinth being a companion piece to The Devil's Backbone (2001) but much of the world had changed since then and he dignifies that with an explanation of the multiple permutations of the story and why it was set in 1944. It is always great to listen to someone who confidently knows 'their stuff'. There are no major gaps and he is eloquent throughout the entire film. Disc two offers a multitude of interviews, production explanations, an introduction and storyboards. Luckily del Toro shows the film to have immense depth of construction and these extras add to the appreciation. I think I got the most out of Guardian interview at the National Film Theatre but those keen on the film will gobble up much of the rest with gusto.

I've had the DVD for a while and finally got around to watching it - lots of Brothers Grimm fairy tale fantasy elements and although I won't go overboard about the film it was surely entertaining and can carry quite a fascination in the audience. Innocence and make-believe are strongly represented if that appeals to you. This DVD does Pan's Labyrinth justice and for those interested we strongly recommend. May 15th a Region 1 release will become available and I'm sure we will compare the editions. My guess is that there won't be extravagant differences.   

Gary W. Tooze