Pacific Rim
Guillermo Del Toro is one of the most exciting directors working in Hollywood today - he is back this week with his new film Pacific Rim.
It has been quite some time since we have seen del Toro in the director's chair and it is super exciting to see him back.
To celebrate the release of the new sci-/fi action film we take a look at some of his best movies.
1. Pan's Labyrinth
If you haven't seen Pan's Labyrinth yet then it is a movie that you really should check out. It is one of those rare masterpieces that don't come around all that often and stays with you long after credits have rolled.
This is a dark and brutal film that is also beautiful, magical and incredibly touching as Del Toro balances beautifully this very contrasting elements.
It is like an Alice In Wonderland for grown ups and is truly a captivating story from start to finish.
The movie is also visually stunning as Del Toro has created a wonderful world packed with fantastic character creations - Doug Jones is particularly wonderful as the Pale Man.
Pan's Labyrinth is easily one of the best movies of the last decade and is Del Toro's greatest cinematic achievements.
2. The Devil's Backbone
It was back in 2000 when The Devil's Backbone was released as he cemented himself as one of the best directors of contemporary horror with this film.
He had already made waves with Cronos and Mimic and now this was more of a subtle and psychological horror than the films that he had made in this genre before.
This is a movie that is genuinely creepy movie is atmospheric and will have you on the edge of your seat.
But to call it just a ghost/horror story really does to it a disservice as it is a movie with a heart and a tenderness to it - something that you don't often see in this genre of film.
This was the most polished of Del Toro's films to date and he really did show off that visual flair that has grown over the years.
3. Hellboy
Now I have to admit that when I whacked the DVD of Hellboy on years ago I wasn't expecting to like it all that much... I couldn't have been more wrong.
If you are looking for a comic book movie that does have a quirkier side to it then this is the film for you.
Ron Perlman is simply fantastic in the title role as he has a human, charm and a charisma that you can't help but like.
When this story concentrates on this character and the relationships in his life that is when this movie is at it's funniest and best.
You forget that Hellboy is this odd creature that is the spawn of Satan as Perlman just puts so much humanity and heart into him.
4. Cronos
In 1993 Del Toro make his feature film directorial debut with Cronos; it was also the first time that the director teamed up with Ron Perlman.
The movie follows an antique dealer who, along with his eight year old granddaughter discovers a mysterious device - which looks like a mechanical beetle.
This device is supposed to provide its owner with eternal life but it begins to leaves a trail of destruction in its path.
Cronos was a movie that really showed off Del Toro as a direction with a visual flair as well as a dark imagination.
This is an atmospheric and yet intelligent horror movie that was the first movie gem from this director.
5. Hellboy II: The Golden Army
It is not often that a sequel is just as good as the first film - but that is exactly what happened with Hellboy II: The Golden Army.
While there are some fantastic action moments and set pieces this movie is driven by love and friendship; this brings a really human element to the movie that audiences can connect with.
De Toro really does push the boat out a little more when it comes to the visual effects and the set pieces, but bigger really does work.
Like all of Del Toro's films visually this movie is just wonderful as elements of sci-fi, fantasy and superhero is all rolled into one.
There has been lots of talk about a possible third film and fingers crossed we will get it.
Pacific Rim is released 12th July.
Tagged in Hellboy