armagh, Local Online News Community, Forums, Chats, For Sale, Classified, Offers, Film Reviews, Events, Motors Sale, Property For Sale Rent, Jobs, Hotels, Taxi, Restaurants, Pubs, Clubs, Pictures, Sports, Charities, Lost Found
  1. Published on: 01/02/2018 09:54 AMReported by: Film Critic
    Plot: A janitor to a secret facility forms a unique relationship with the buildings latest acquisition.

    Director Guillermo Del Toro has a had strange but successful career so far. While he is highly regarded by critics, the majority of choices he makes are more blockbuster based. With films such as Blade II, Hellboy or Pacific Rim.

    But every so often he does these really touching dramas, and the obvious example is Pan's Labyrinth, his most acclaimed film so far.

    The Shape Of Water is certainly something pretty close to that in terms of the tone and the message that is similar to many fairy-tales.

    While the story was intriguing me up to a point in the first half, it was the production that was not just very impressive, but pretty much perfect. Del Toro is well known for his heavily detailed practical sets and this is another gorgeous one to look at. There is one setting that is in a facility, and a lot of it reminded me of Gore Verbinski's 'A Cure For Wellness'. There were also some moments that reminded me of Amelie in terms of how the shots were executed and the small quirky shifts in tone.

    But the longer the film and the more the story developed, the bigger my investment was to the entire product.

    There is a romance angle in the second half that will most certainly make or break the audiences views. It could be a real turn-off for them, or it might be seen as something special. At first, I did feel it was peculiar. But I understood what Del Toro and his team was going for, so I accepted it. It was not until the finale that consisted of some strong scenes that won me over and I believed in the romance and became invested in it.

    For me, a film that has a strong ending has a chance of changing my entire view of the film. For most of the film, I thought it was very good in its construction. But I wasn't going nuts for the story. However, I really enjoyed how they finished it and that made me remember the previous scenes in the film with great fondness.

    The acting on the whole pretty top-notch. Sally Hawkins does a great with her character and accomplishes something that I don't think many actors could pull off. Michael Shannon is always good value, and he is great as the main villain. Octavia Spencer and Michael Stuhlbarg did not feel that exceptional. But they did the stuff that we know them for well. It feels ages since I have seen Richard Jenkins in something, and his performance definitely reminded how talented this guy is.

    Particular props have to go for Doug Jones who follows on from his performance as Abe Sapian in the Hellboy films. His track record as a physical actor is pretty solid, especially with Del Toro's films. He's the type of actor that I think should work with people like Andy Serkis in future projects.

    As mentioned before, the production is quite an accomplishment. But I must add my praises to the score by Alexandre Deplat. I found it rather enchanting, whilst having its moments of charm, mystery and intrigue. Don't be surprised if this wins the major awards.

    Speaking of awards, I feel its current success in them is warranted and deserved. It might not be one of my films of 2017. But it's pretty damn close.

    The only down side I had to it was that there is one side-story that I was not bothered by and it kind of kept slowing the momentum down.

    But on the whole, this is a really delightful fantasy romance. I know a lot of people won't take this film seriously by the end of it, but if you know what Del Toro is like, then you can be swept away by this.

    I liked the message that it was saying, the character development is strong, as is the visual story-telling and I think all of these aspect worked really well together and it has had me thinking about it for some time. Only Del Toro could have executed this type of romance story.

    A final thought. Once you've seen it, it is damn hard to ignore that this could easily be a prequel to a particular character from the Hellboy franchise.

    Rating: 8/10
     

  2. Your Comments:


  3. susanb says:29/03/2018 01:04 PM
    I thought it was very slow. The plot is mute girl falls in love with a water dwelling man type. She helps him escape and they swim off together.

    Glad I didn't' pay money to see it.

  4. Film Critic says:29/03/2018 10:04 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by susanb View Post
    I thought it was very slow. The plot is mute girl falls in love with a water dwelling man type. She helps him escape and they swim off together.

    Glad I didn't' pay money to see it.
    That's ok. You're not alone on this. A film that wins Best Picture at the Oscars is always on that pedestal that is just waiting to be knocked down.


You are in: UK / Armagh / Northern Ireland
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Armagh



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


Film Reviews, Last Cinema Movies, Movies, DVDs
armagharmagh News


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
armagh Bathroom Suppliesarmagh Bathroom Tapsarmagh Bathroom Furniturearmagh Bathroom Showersarmagh Shower Enclosuresarmagh Bathsarmagh L Shaped Batharmagh P Shaped Batharmagh Wet Roomsarmagh Bath Screensarmagh Bath Mixer Taparmagh Bidet Tapsarmagh Toilet Seatsarmagh Sanitarywarearmagh Combined Toilet Basinarmagh Stovesarmagh Wood Stovesarmagh Home Stovesarmagh Cooker Stovesarmagh Enamel Stovesarmagh Designer Stovesarmagh Contemporary Stovesarmagh Multi Fuel Stovesarmagh Accounts Softwarearmagh Sage Softwarearmagh Sage Line 50armagh Sage Line 200armagh Pegasus Accountsarmagh Access Accountsarmagh Car Servicingarmagh MOTgarmagh Tyresarmagh Car Batteryarmagh Exhaustarmagh Journalist Jobsarmagh Reporter Jobsarmagh Writing Jobsarmagh Freelance Writerarmagh Self Employed Jobsarmagh Franchise Businessarmagh Franchise Opportunitiesarmagh Driving Schoolsarmagh Driving Lessonsarmagh Driving Testarmagh Driving Theory Testarmagh Driving Instruction, 0000 armagh Driving Instructor, 0000 armagh Insolvencyarmagh Insolvency Servicearmagh Insolvency Servicesarmagh Liquidation Servicearmagh Business Recoveryarmagh Insolvency Practitionerarmagh Bankruptcy Servicearmagh Winding Up Petitionarmagh Business Financearmagh Business Recoveryarmagh Voluntary Arrangementarmagh Individual Voluntary Arrangementarmagh IVAarmagh Debt Advicearmagh Debt Managementarmagh Company Administrationarmagh Administrationarmagh Corporate Recoveryarmagh Corporate Voluntary Arrangementarmagh CVAarmagh Corporate Insolvencyarmagh Corporate Liquidationarmagh Members Voluntary Liquidationarmagh MVLarmagh Partnership Voluntary Arrangementarmagh PVAarmagh Tax Demandarmagh Invoice Financearmagh Bridging Financearmagh Vouchersarmagh Dealsarmagh Matalanarmagh Firewoodarmagh Fire Woodarmagh Kiln Dried Hardwoodarmagh Logs For Salearmagh Log Suppliesarmagh Logsarmagh Firewood Logsarmagh Seasoned Logsarmagh Hardwood Logsarmagh Firewood Suppliersarmagh Firewood Log Suppliersarmagh Firewood Dumpy Bagsarmagh Firewood Cratesarmagh Cheap Firewoodarmagh Homefire Logsarmagh Cheap Firewood Logsarmagh Kindle Conesarmagh Pizza Oven Logsarmagh Heating Oilarmagh Home Heating Oilarmagh Red Dieselarmagh White Dieselarmagh Keresenearmagh Commercial Fuelsarmagh Calor Gasarmagh Propane Gasarmagh Butane Gasarmagh Heating Gasarmagh Horse Trainingarmagh Horse Trainerarmagh Horse Whispererarmagh Equine Whispererarmagh Horse Whisperer Victoria Smitharmagh Rattan Garden Furniturearmagh Rattan Furniturearmagh Rattan Sofaarmagh Rattan Dining Setarmagh Rattan Directarmagh Cheap Rattan Furniturearmagh Rattan Corner Sofasarmagh Rattan Day Bedsarmagh Rattan Sun Loungersarmagh Rattan Cube Setsarmagh Rattan Bistro Setsarmagh Chimeneasarmagh Firepitsarmagh Patio Heatersarmagh Card Payments Processingarmagh Credit Card Processingarmagh Merchant Servicesarmagh Merchant Accountarmagh Merchant Paymentsarmagh Card Machinesarmagh Card Terminalsarmagh Online Paymentsarmagh Worldpayarmagh Bouncy Castlesarmagh Bouncy Castle Hirearmagh Garden Trampolinesarmagh Pramsarmagh Pushchairsarmagh Strollersarmagh Hauck Pramsarmagh Huackarmagh Childrens Trampolinesarmagh Baby Mobilesarmagh Baby Activity Matsarmagh Baby Bedroom Furniturearmagh Childrens Bedroom Furniturearmagh Hygiene Vendingarmagh Washroom Vendingarmagh Air Freshenersarmagh Air Carearmagh Aerosol Systemsarmagh Gel Systemsarmagh Water Savingarmagh Urinal Water Savingarmagh Eco Capsarmagh Sensaflusharmagh Water Managementarmagh Urinal Dosingarmagh Urinal V Screensarmagh Legionella Risk Assessmentarmagh Legionaires Bacterialarmagh Odour Controlarmagh Odour Eliminationarmagh Odour Removalarmagh Airsterilarmagh Hand Carearmagh Hand Creamarmagh Hand Soaparmagh Hand Washingarmagh Hand Dryingarmagh Hand Dryersarmagh Electric Hand Dryersarmagh Fast Hand Dryersarmagh Commercial Hand Dryersarmagh Energy Efficient Hand Dryersarmagh Hand Dryer Rentalarmagh Hand Dryer Salesarmagh Paper Towelsarmagh Roller Towelsarmagh Cotton Roller Towelsarmagh Blue Roller Towelsarmagh White Roller Towelsarmagh Janitorial Suppliesarmagh Janitorialarmagh Cleaning Suppliesarmagh Cleaning Productsarmagh Cleaning Equipmentarmagh Office Cleaningarmagh Home Cleaningarmagh Debt Recovery Servicesarmagh Debt Recoveryarmagh Debt Collectionarmagh Outsource Credit Controlarmagh Collection Agencyarmagh Debt Collection Agencyarmagh Commercial Canopyarmagh Steel Canopyarmagh Bike Shedsarmagh Bike Storagearmagh Bicycle Storearmagh Bicycle Storagearmagh Bikes Storearmagh Bike Storearmagh Outdoor Canopyarmagh Cycle Sheltersarmagh Cycle Shedarmagh Cycle Storagearmagh Cycle Rackarmagh Cycle Compoundarmagh Cycle Solutionsarmagh Scooter Storagearmagh Scooter Shelterarmagh Canopiesarmagh Canopyarmagh Play Area Canopyarmagh Entrance Canopiesarmagh Entrance Canopyarmagh Waiting Shelterarmagh Smoking Shelterarmagh Parent Waiting Shelterarmagh Parent Shelterarmagh Teen Shelterarmagh Nursery Canopyarmagh School Canopyarmagh Play Canopyarmagh Envirolawnarmagh Astroturfarmagh Cheap Astroturfarmagh Artificial Grassarmagh Cheap Artificial Grassarmagh Astro Turfarmagh Artificial Lawnarmagh Fake Grassarmagh Fake Lawnarmagh Fire Stove Glassarmagh Heat Resistant Glassarmagh Fire Glassarmagh Stove Glassarmagh Fire Resistant Glassarmagh Replacement Stove Glassarmagh Glass For Stovesarmagh Spill Kitsarmagh Spill Control Kitsarmagh Spill Kit Refillsarmagh Spill Kit Refill GK6armagh Chemical Spill Kitsarmagh Oil Spill Kitsarmagh Solar Panelsarmagh Solar Panels Costarmagh Solar Heatingarmagh Solar PVarmagh Commercial Solararmagh Photovoltaicarmagh Dust Matsarmagh Entrance Matsarmagh Reception Matsarmagh Anti Fatigue Matsarmagh Floor Matsarmagh Logo Matsarmagh Washroom Servicesarmagh Principal Washroomsarmagh Washrooms Suppliesarmagh Washrooms Solutionsarmagh Sanitary Disposalarmagh Sanitary Binsarmagh Sani Binsarmagh Lady Binsarmagh Feminine Hygiene Unitsarmagh Sanitary Waste Disposalarmagh Sanitary Wastearmagh Sanitary Unitsarmagh Feminine Unitsarmagh Hygiene Servicesarmagh Sanitary Bin Supplierarmagh Sanitary Bin Rentalarmagh Sanitary Bin Rental Servicesarmagh General Wastearmagh Trade Wastearmagh Commercial Wastearmagh Business Wastearmagh Waste Managementarmagh Waste Collectionarmagh Cardboard Wastearmagh Paper Wastearmagh Plastic Wastearmagh Glass Wastearmagh Biomass Wastearmagh Metal Wastearmagh Confidential Wastearmagh Confidential Waste Servicearmagh On Site Shreddingarmagh Off Site Shreddingarmagh One Off Shreddingarmagh Contract Shreddingarmagh Dental Wastearmagh Dental Waste Disposalarmagh Dental Waste Legislationarmagh Dental Waste Compliancearmagh Accupuncture Wastearmagh Accupuncture Waste Disposalarmagh Accupuncture Waste Collectionarmagh Tattoo Wastearmagh Tattoo Waste Disposalarmagh Sharps Binarmagh Sharps Collectionarmagh Hazardous Sharpsarmagh Non Hazardous Sharpsarmagh Cytotoxic Sharpsarmagh Cytostatic Sharpsarmagh Ink Blockarmagh Wet_Wastearmagh Tattoo Inkarmagh Drug Destructionarmagh Drug Disposalarmagh Drug Denaturingarmagh Unwanted Drugsarmagh Out Of Date Drugsarmagh Pest Controlarmagh Rodent Controlarmagh Bird Controlarmagh Bird Proofingarmagh Guano Controlarmagh Pest Call Outarmagh Pest Preventionarmagh Pest Deterrentarmagh Nursery Wastearmagh Nappy Wastearmagh Nappy Binarmagh Nappy Disposalarmagh Nappy Wheelie Binarmagh Nursery Waste Disposalarmagh Nursery Waste Collectionarmagh Incontinence Padsarmagh Offensive Wastearmagh Human Wastearmagh Nursing Home Wastearmagh Care Home Wastearmagh Hazardous Wastearmagh Infectous Wastearmagh Pharmaceutical Wastearmagh Medicinal Wastearmagh Medicine Wastearmagh Infection Controlarmagh Hand Sanitisersarmagh Clinical Waste Disposalarmagh Clinical Waste Managementarmagh Clinical Waste Policyarmagh EA Registrationarmagh Hammocksarmagh Garden Hammocksarmagh Adult Hammocksarmagh Childrens Hammocksarmagh Baby Hammocks