So after months of waiting, The Shape of Water has finally been released here in Ireland. I was going to do a review, but the film has been out so long in the states that it felt a bit pointless as there was nothing more that I could really say that hasn't been already said. So instead, I decided to look at Guillermo Del Toro's filmography as a whole, including The Shape of Water, and go through each film from worst to best. From ghosts to Kaiju, from fairys to vampires, Del Toro has covered a vast number of topics in both his English-language and Spanish films over the years, all tied together by recurring themes and motifs. This list was quite difficult to organise to be honest, as I don't believe Del Toro has ever made a bad film. However, it's clear that some shine out above the rest, so I managed to come to a satisfactory ranking eventually. So without further ado, here is my ranking of Guillermo Del Toro's films:
10. Mimic (1997)
Del Toro's first American feature revolves around genetically altered insects known as the Judas breed, who were created in order to rid New York City of its disease-riddled cockroaches. However, the insects soon evolve to the stage where they can essentially mimic the appearance of human beings, making them an even deadlier threat than the roaches they were bred to kill. It's no secret that Mimic had something of a troubled production. Due to repeated interventions from producer Bob Weinstein, Del Toro struggled to maintain creative control over the project which led to a rather lackluster creature feature. It's because of this that much of the emotional depth of the directors usual standard is absent, while most of the characters are paper-thin, despite having actors like Mira Sorvino and Josh Brolin among the ensemble cast. It's a real shame that Del Toro wasn't given full control over Mimic, because with a creature design as unique as that of the Judas breed, the film certainly had a lot of potential. Still, some of the directors early trademarks clearly shine through, such as the impressive creature design and his self-proclaimed 'fetish' for insects. Mimic may not be Del Toro's best work, but it was a sign of good things to come.
9. Blade II (2002)
Del Toro's first foray into the comic book genre was the sequel to 1998's Blade, which follows the titular daywalker (Wesley Snipes) as he forges an uneasy alliance with an elite group of vampires known as the Bloodpack in order to defeat the newly mutated 'reaper' vampires. Blade II is by no means a bad film, in fact even Wesley Snipes himself has admitted that it's his favourite of the trilogy. However, when you place it within the context of Del Toro's wider filmography, unfortunately it doesn't compare. This is the only film Del Toro has directed where he has had no screenwriting input, but as a director he does exceedingly well. Utilising his usual gloomy color palettes and keen eye for detail, Del Toro crafted a much more sleek and stylish film for Blade's second outing, and worked closely with screenwriter David S. Goyer in order to remain true to the comics. It's by far a much darker film compared to its predecessor. Furthermore, the design of the reaper-vampires is really unique and it's clear that Del Toro took influence from their elongated stingers when penning his Strain novels. Blade II may not be Del Toro's most compelling film, but it's certainly a fun one and is by far one of the most underrated superhero films out there.
8. Crimson Peak (2015)
Del Toro's most misunderstood film, Crimson Peak follows aspiring author Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska), who accompanies her new husband Sir. Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) to his home in England in order to escape the ghosts of her past. However, it soon becomes apparent that Edith's new home holds a dark secret, and that the spirits of Crimson Peak never forget. Crimson Peak fell victim to a case of bad marketing, which led many to believe that it would be a straight-up supernatural horror in the vein of Insidious and the likes. However, in reality Crimson Peak is a tasteful blend of gothic romance and ghost stories, that places more emphasis on mood and atmosphere, as opposed to explicit scares. This might be why many were so negative towards the film, but bad advertising does not make a bad film, in my eyes. This is by far one of Del Toro's most visually stunning films, the production design is packed full of so much color and detail that it really feels as though the house itself is alive at times. As well as that, the ghost designs are enough to send shivers up anyone's spines, with their blood red, skeletal appearance. Crimson Peak is a true visual spectacle that oozes with atmosphere, and while it's true that there's a little more style than substance, it's certainly still a strong effort from Del Toro.
7. Pacific Rim (2013)
Inspired by the great Toho-era monster movies, Pacific Rim is set in a near future where gigantic monsters known as 'Kaiju' have risen from beneath the Pacific Ocean and proceeded to wreak havoc across the globe. In order to combat these beasts, massive robots known as 'Jaegers' are constructed, designed to be piloted by two or more people linked by a neural bridge. Pacific Rim is pure, unadulterated entertainment courtesy of Del Toro. The film is packed to the brim with some highly inventive, gargantuan brawls, including one particular scene where a Jaeger uses a ship as a sword while fighting one of the Kaiju. Del Toro clearly displays a sheer amount of love and respect for these giant monster movies, something that Michael Bay lacked while making the Transformer films. Amidst all of the action however, there is also some fascinating world-building going on as well, with Charlie Day's Newt exploring the neon-soaked streets of Hong Kong and thus making the world of Pacific Rim feel much more tangible. It's true that some of the human protagonists do leave a lot to be desired, however, much like last years Kong: Skull Island this is a monster movie at the end of the day, and when it comes to monsters, Pacific Rim certainly delivers the goods. Colourful, creative, and action-packed to the core, Pacific Rim may not have as much emotional depth as some of his other works, but Del Toro knew the type of film that he wanted to make, and the final product was truly spectacular.
6. Hellboy (2004)
The first Hellboy film directed by Del Toro starred Ron Pearlman in the titular role and was loosely based off the 'Seed of Destruction' and 'Wake the Devil' story arcs from Mike Mignola's comics. The result was a truly unique comic book adaptation, that remained faithful enough to its source material, while also allowing room for Del Toro to experiment with some ideas of his own. Let's face it, the movie version of Karl Kroenen is way cooler than his comic book counterpart, and we have Del Toro to thank for that. More importantly however, the film made Ron Pearlman something of an icon, and his iteration of the titular half-demon is seen by many as being one of the best casting decisions in the history of comic book cinema. However, my main issue with Hellboy is that there are times when Hellboy himself feels like a supporting character in his own film. There is a lot of unnecessary focus on the character of Agent Myers (Rupert Evans) who acts as Hellboy's 'babysitter', as opposed to the big red guy himself, and at times it makes us feel somewhat detached from our protagonist. Still, apart from that Hellboy is not only an excellent comic book film, but it's also the film that really made Del Toro a household name among American audiences. It showcased his vibrant imagination and his talent for the craft, setting him up for a number of other subsequent successes in the future.
5. Cronos (1993)
Del Toro's first feature film and one that still holds up nicely today, Cronos tells the story of an elderly pawn shop owner who gains vampiric abilities after being 'bitten' by a mysterious clockwork device. Cronos established many of Del Toro's signature traits, including his fascination with clockwork, insects, and dark places. As well as that, it also displayed a keen knowledge of how to craft an effective monster movie. Cronos reminds me of some of the classic monster movies of old, such as Frankenstein and The Wolfman. While our protagonist (played by the late Federico Luppi) certainly possesses some monstrous characteristics, he is a sympathetic character with certain layers of humanity that set him apart from your average, run of the mill monster. It's a film that deals with themes such as ageing and immortality in ways that are fantastical, yet surprisingly grounded. The character of Jesús enjoys the effects of the Cronos device as it renders him more youthful, however, it's how he deals with the consequences of this that make the film much more interesting. Cronos set the standard for Guillermo Del Toro films, both stylistically and thematically. That blurring between the worlds of fantasy and reality, as well as being able to find beauty in the grotesque are themes that Del Toro frequently revisits. It was clear from Cronos that this was a filmmaker with a bright future ahead of him.
4. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
If there were ever a film to sum up Guillermo Del Toro's unique imagination, this would be it. Hellboy II: The Golden Army sees Del Toro move away from the Lovecraftian themes of the fist film, to focus more on elements of Celtic folklore instead. The result is a beautiful film full of fascinating creatures, that further builds upon the world established in its predecessor. The troll market scene alone showcases some of the incredible creatures lurking within Del Toro's mind, making the world of Hellboy feel much more layered in comparison to the first film. Of course the highlight of all these creature designs comes later, with the iconic Angel of Death (Doug Jones), who has eyes on her wings instead of her face. It's clear that Del Toro poured incredible detail into every last creature we see onscreen. As well as that, Hellboy actually feels like the star of his own film this time around, as he goes through his own personal arc that further raises the stakes at hand. He feels like a much more well-rounded character in the second film, and it allows for Pearlman to explore some more of the characters layers. Hellboy II: The Golden Army is the perfect film to start with for those of you looking to immerse yourselves in Del Toro's filmography. Its themes and story are not too complex, but the visuals and imaginative creatures are all staples of Del Toro, and are sure to entice even the most casual of viewers.
3. The Devil's Backbone (2001)
Another one of Del Toro's most prominent themes is that of war, and using war as a backdrop for supernatural or fantastical events, The Devil's Backbone is where this all began. Set during the final years of the Spanish Civil War, the film follows an orphaned boy named Carlos (Fernando Tielve), who begins to have visions of a ghostly child upon arriving at a new orphanage, prompting him to learn more. War is central to The Devil's Backbone, thematically and quite literally, as there is a massive diffused bomb lodged in the central courtyard of the films orphanage. It is an ever present force that looms over our protagonists constantly throughout, even when it's not integral to the plot itself. Amidst this war however, is a captivating mystery woven by Del Toro like an expert seamstress. With every layer of this mystery that is unearthed, another enigma awaits beneath, and Del Toro carefully unravels it at a steady pace to keep us fully enthralled from start to finish. It plays out like a traditional ghost story, however, the Spanish setting and Del Toro's expert storytelling gives it a unique flare. As well as that, the appearance of the ghost himself is unforgettable, with his cracked temple almost like a porcelain doll, emitting some sort of supernatural scarlet fumes. In comparison to some of his other films, The Devil's Backbone is a much more grounded and concentrated story, allowing for Del Toro to pour significant detail into even the smallest things, ultimately making for one of his most captivating films to date.
2. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Pan's Labyrinth was the film that fully established Del Toro as a master of the craft, in terms of both storytelling and filmmaking. Set in Franco-era Spain, the film focuses on a young girl named Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) who moves to a remote country house with her mother, and her stepfather Captain Vidal (Sergi López). However, Ofelia soon discovers that a strange, but captivating fantasy world exists within our own, taking her life in a curious new direction. Once again, war and the violence of the real world act as the backdrop to this dark fairy tale, with Ofelia using the world of the fantastic to escape from it all. The harsh brutality of Franco-era Spain is juxtaposed with the strange creatures of Del Toro's imagination that Ofelia encounters on her journey. From the seemingly helpful Faun (Doug Jones), to the terrifying, child-eating Pale Man (also Jones), Pan's Labyrinth contains some of Guillermo Del Toro's most extraordinary creatures yet. However, despite all of the mythical monsters present throughout, the real monster is the very human Captain Vidal. Sergi López brings Vidal to life in an imposing, yet realistic way, making him even more terrifying than the Pale Man himself. What makes Pan's Labyrinth so effective however, is how well it emotionally resonates with people regardless of their age. It is a film about childhood and escapism, and those are things that we have all experienced to some degree in our lives, regardless of how old we are. With its creative visuals, strong themes, and powerful emotional heart, Pan's Labyrinth still stands as one of Guillermo Del Toro's best works to date, and will without a doubt continue to connect with audiences for years to come.
1. The Shape of Water (2018)
However, it seems that Guillermo Del Toro's latest feature may just be his best yet. Set in 1960's Baltimore, the film follows the unusual love story between mute janitor Elisa (Sally Hawkins) and an amphibian man (Doug Jones) being held at the facility where she works. The Shape of Water is by far Del Toro's most beautiful and complete film to date. It has shown how much he has matured as a filmmaker, focusing heavily on the theme of love and the tension of Cold War-era America. Using a nautical color scheme of primarily greens and blues, Del Toro and cinematographer Dan Laustsen bring to life this visually compelling world that teeters on the border between fantasy and reality. Now to some, the love story between a woman and a fish-man may sound unconventional and somewhat perverse, and to be honest if anyone other than Del Toro had made this film it may very well have ended up that way. However, he handles the story with such class and emotional nuance, that the romance between Elisa and the amphibian man feels just as natural as any other. On top of that, the ensemble cast is perhaps Del Toro's strongest to date, with the likes of Richard Jenkins and Octavia Spencer in supporting roles, and Michael Shannon as the films ruthless antagonist Richard Strickland. However, the way in which Sally Hawkins compensates for her lack of dialogue with incredible physical acting makes her the real stand out, and I think she is a fine contender for best actress at this years Academy Awards. To put it simply, The Shape of Water is flawless in every aspect, it's the type of film that's capable of eliciting every sort of emotion all within the space of two hours. I didn't think it was possible for Guillermo Del Toro to top Pan's Labyrinth, but I think he might just have.
If you're a fan of cinema, then I would highly suggest going to see The Shape of Water, and if you enjoy it then why not check out the rest of Guillermo Del Toro's films! Let me know if you liked the film or if you have any thoughts on his other films too, but apart from that, that's it for now until next time!
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