Guillermo del Toro's 'Pinocchio' is an imaginative cautionary tale for parents
Ayomikun Adekaiyero
Updated ·4 min read
Guillermo del Toro's "Pinocchio" is the third adaptation of the Italian story released this year.
The film stands out from the rest by modernizing the famous tale with a focus on parenthood.
"Pinocchio" is streaming now on Netflix.
Since 1911, there have been more than 20 screen adaptations of the famous Italian children's novel "Pinocchio."
This year alone, there have already been two new adaptations, including a Disney live-action remake. This may leave some people wondering if it is really worth watching another one.
Guillermo del Toro's "Pinocchio" justifies its existence by modernizing the tale with beautiful stop-motion animation and a tear-jerking story. Del Toro told Vanity Fair in June that he wanted to make this adaptation for 15 years and the film truly feels like a labor of love.
It's clear "Pinocchio" was a passion project by looking at the intricately detailed characters
Pinocchio (Gregory Mann) and Count Volpe (Christoph Waltz).Netflix
The Netflix movie takes some of the main story beats we've seen before: Geppetto (David Bradley) making a puppet to console the loss of his own son; Pinocchio (Gregory Mann) is magically brought to life and given a cricket Jiminy (Ewan McGregor) to be his conscience; the boy ends up breaking all the rules and leaves home; and, of course, every time Pinocchio lies his nose grows.
However, there are plenty of new things about del Toro's "Pinocchio" that truly make this adaptation stand out amongst the rest. For starters, there is never really a question of whether Pinocchio qualifies as a real boy. In fact, Pinocchio is largely accepted as a human early in the movie.
The dilemma is that he refuses to follow any rules, which is a major problem in the setting and time period of the movie, the fascist state of Italy during World War II. The movie quickly transforms into a journey of acceptance with Pinocchio trying to be the perfect child for his father.
Another key stand-out is the stop-motion animation which has a crude beauty to it. Pinocchio, for example, doesn't look like a human boy like other adaptions. Instead, he looks like a wooden monstrosity with nails poking out of his back, black holes as eyes, and cracks all over his body. He feels delicate but also rickety like he could fall apart any moment. The rest of the characters also have these gorgeous imperfections that make them feel larger than life.
The musical element of the film did not amplify the story which was disappointing
Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio
Jiminy Cricket (voiced by Ewan McGregor).Netflix
I was disappointed by the mediocrity of the musical elements of the movie. There are several numbers sprinkled throughout "Pinocchio" but very few really stood out to me. In general, they felt secondary to the story instead of making it more engaging.
The exemption to this is Pinocchio's solo when he first introduces himself to Geppetto. His childish energy brilliantly shines through the song and his manic dance across the room smashing objects in the process. If there's one song that will end up catching on, it's probably this song.
Overall, the songs never overstay their welcome. In fact, there is a running joke where Jiminy is cut off every time he tries to do his big solo. However, I personally did not feel the musical added much to the story.
Guillermo del Toro's "Pinocchio" may be too dark for young children but it is worth watching with your older children during the holiday season
Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio
Geppetto (David Bradley) and Pinocchio (Gregory Mann).Netflix
Netflix's "Pinocchio" adaptation is still a family movie but I would warn any parent with young children that the movie does not shy away from dark themes of death and war.
As previously stated, this version of "Pinocchio" is set during the war and while it is easy to forget this when the movie explores its fantastical elements, the war plot comes careening back into focus during the second act. I would still recommend the movie due to its important message regarding raising children, especially around fatherhood.
Similar to hit movies such as "Encanto" and "Everything Everywhere All At Once," del Toro uses metaphors within his movie – the fascist setting and biblical imagery – to tell a story about the burden of familial expectations.
The original tale may be a cautionary tale for children against disobedience. Del Toro spins it around onto parents warning them to show their children that they love them no matter their flaws and hope, as Jiminy says in the movie, that they are trying their best.
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