It’s too glib to say this movie is just “Beauty and the Beast” meets “The Creature from the Black Lagoon” — it’s much more than that. Guillermo del Toro has once again crafted a modern fairy tale that delights and frightens us with memorable characters, both good and evil. There are many plot twists that were unexpected, especially with several of the characters behaving in ways that seemed contrary to their usual stereotypes. I can’t say much more without revealing important plot points.
As one now expects from del Toro, the set design and camerawork is gorgeous, with a sense of being truly immersed in the early 1960s. I especially liked the electrical gadgetry in the laboratory — it reminded me of a high school visit I once made to a power generation plant — everything painted drab green with large dials and thick cables everywhere.
The story evolves exquisitely, with credible character development all round. The actors all inhabited their roles perfectly, making them believable at all times. Sally Hawkins in particular conveys a delicate balance of fragility and fierce resolve that’s marvelous to watch.
I highly recommend this movie, especially if you love modern mythology.
