GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO is a beautifully crafted film. It is a darker version of the wooden boy story compared to what you see on other streaming services. Pinocchio was never my favorite Disney offering so much of the content was new to me. I went back and watched a more traditional version, and I have to say that Del Toro does take a few liberties in his version. But with powerful results.
Let’s be honest. The whole Pinocchio thing is creepy and sad. Geppetto (David Bradley) loses his only son in a tragic accident and slips into a deep, alcohol infused depression. One night his grief drives him to create a wooden puppet to try and fill an insurmountable void. A woodland fairy (Tilda Swinton) takes pity on Geppetto and brings Pinocchio (Gregory Mann) to life; with a few strings attached. Pun intended.
GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO premieres on Netflix December 9 #PinocchioNetflix
This whimsical, stop-motion musical animated film version has a lot of what you will remember, but also adds a lot of Del Toro’s vision. There is a carnival and a bad guy (Christoph Waltz). Obviously there is a very dramatic Sebastian J. Cricket (Ewan McGregor) who helps guide us through the story.
One thing I found intriguing about this version was the religious tones Del Toro brings forth. There is a lot of symbolism and metaphors woven through, if you want to take the time to look. Also war plays a huge part in this one. Gone are lost boys being turned into donkeys as they are replaced by Mussolini, and a camp for young soldiers.
Beautiful to watch
As mentioned at the top of the review, this film is beautiful to watch. The animation is Oscar worthy and will be hard to beat come March. The detail to the characters and the world in which they live is at times jaw dropping. The style and coloring match the dark story perfectly. The musical numbers also add to the overall feel of the production. The music of Alexandre Desplat is a character all its own.
Unlike the most recent film starring Tom Hanks you might not curl up with the kiddos to watch this one. But anyone who considers themselves a lover of animation and story telling this should be top on your list this season. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing offensive about this one. It is mildly rated PG for dark thematic material, violence, peril, some rude humor and brief smoking. If anything it is the perfect time to introduce your younger family members to the fantastic mind and creativity of GUILLERMO DEL TORO.
About The Author
