Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
Release date: December 22nd, 2017
Rating: 9/10
Guillermo del Toro crafts a beautiful story of two lovers that, for all intents and purposes, shouldn't be together. He brings his classic visuals to this movie with an outstanding makeup and costume department as well as his trademark warm, yellow lighting.
The cast is fantastic. Michael Shannon's performance is intimidating and intense while Sally Hawkins manages to have the biggest voice without saying anything. Doug Jones brings his usual outstanding performance through a think costume as the "fish out of water".
At first, I thought the movie took a little bit too long to set things up and honestly the film doesn't get really good until the second half of the film. Although the beginning is important and expertly crafted, I personally found it a bit boring. The only thing I really didn't like though, was the weird song and dance number towards the end of the film. I understand what del Toro was trying to say with it, it just felt out of place to me and took me out of the film. Once you see a fish-man start tap dancing you kind've reevaluate what's actually happening in front of you.
Overall though I found it a compelling watch and, although calling it (or any movie really, as films are subjective for the most part) the best film of 2017 might be a little much, I understand why the Academy chose this film. Anybody who's a fan of sci-fi, romance, or period pieces will love this movie.