Rating: 8.7
Premise: In this dark reimagining of the classic tale, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio brings the titular boy to life unlike any other film before. With the help of his conscience Sebastian J. Cricket, and his father Geppetto, Pinocchio will learn what it is to be human, and see the world's many paradoxes of life; all against the backdrop of Mussolini's fascist Italy.
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Netflix
Directed by Guillermo del Toro & Mark Gustafson
Screenplay by Guillermo del Toro & Patrick McHale
Screen Story by Guillermo del Toro & Matthew Robbins
Based on the book by Carlo Collodi
Cast: Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann, Burn Gorman, Christoph Waltz, Tilda Swinton, Ron Perlman, John Turturro, Finn Wolfhard, Cate Blanchett, Tim Blake Nelson
Runtime: 1hr 57min
Rating: PG
Drama, Fantasy, Musical
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IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
RT Audience Score: 84%
Metacritic Score: 80
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My Review:
Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio is pure magic. I loved it, it’s sincere, charming and super heartfelt right from the opening frame! Easily better than the version Disney put out this year! The movie is exquisitely crafted. It’s visually stunning, the stop motion is perfect and some of the best I’ve ever seen, plus the actual lighting and cinematography is gorgeous (as usual for Del Toro). I loved the design and look of the characters and sets, and creates such a unique atmosphere alongside Desplat’s stunning musical score (and some great songs). It had a sort of “Luca” vibe to it that I really liked (although this is better). I loved how Del Toro told the classic story of Pinocchio that we all know, but wasn’t afraid to delve into the darkness of it. The characters were all very distinct and memorable, and all bright to life by some excellent vocal performances from an all star cast! The standout to me was easily Ewan McGregor’s Cricket, but I also really loved the casting for Pinocchio and Geppetto. Their relationship is the core of this film; it’s both heartwarming and heartbreaking as Pinocchio wrestles with his conscience and emotions. The film is a remarkable piece of art that captures the horrors of fascism and celebrates the relationship between father and son. The animation, music and storytelling are all top notch making this an unforgettable cinematic experience. I highly recommend this, although it may not be as kid friendly as the Disney version is… this one is much more mature; it’s both dark and whimsical at the same time! (Animation is not just for kids! It’s a form of art; a form of storytelling, and this proves it!) Check it out on Netflix, it’s easily one of the best animated films this year! It’s pure magic!
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