The beloved story of Pinocchio gets a fresh new look thanks to visionary director Guillermo del Toro.
Those of you who follow my blog might have noticed I hated the original 1940 version of the film, for various reasons.
While the 1940 version was aimed almost exclusively at a (very) young demographic, 'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' is a film young and old can enjoy. Apart from being visually stunning, the story itself is much better. The character motives are better defined and this film is not as cartoonish. There are still a few moments that were indeed resembling cartoon humour, but that's fair enough - since this is a film for the entire family.
In this version, Geppetto has a 10-year old son, Carlo, who dies during an aerial bombardment. By this time the relationship between Geppetto and Carlo was well established and I sympathized with Geppetto. After years of mourning, he decided to carve a wooden doll to fill the void left by Carlo. As we all know, the puppet, Pinocchio, then comes alive with the help of a Fairy, or Sprite. The Fairy also requested a cricket named Sebastian J. Cricket to guide Pinocchio, and promised to grant him one wish in return. This plays a pivotal role towards the end.
In the original film Geppetto decided to send Pinocchio to school just minutes after he became alive. Here, Pinocchio is depicted as a naughty, spiteful 'kid' who lacks discipline, and it is recommended that Geppetto send him to school. This is much more realistic, and makes more sense.
Off course, Pinocchio decides not go to school and joins the circus after circus owner Count Volpe made false promises to him. Count Volpe also serves as the film's main antagonist. What follows is a coming of age journey filled with fun and adventure, tears and laughter, and above all, a very powerful message.
I must be honest, I didn't really like the Pinocchio character, but his unruly behaviour was essential for character development, and a heartfelt finale.
Those of you who follow my blog might have noticed I hated the original 1940 version of the film, for various reasons.
While the 1940 version was aimed almost exclusively at a (very) young demographic, 'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' is a film young and old can enjoy. Apart from being visually stunning, the story itself is much better. The character motives are better defined and this film is not as cartoonish. There are still a few moments that were indeed resembling cartoon humour, but that's fair enough - since this is a film for the entire family.
In this version, Geppetto has a 10-year old son, Carlo, who dies during an aerial bombardment. By this time the relationship between Geppetto and Carlo was well established and I sympathized with Geppetto. After years of mourning, he decided to carve a wooden doll to fill the void left by Carlo. As we all know, the puppet, Pinocchio, then comes alive with the help of a Fairy, or Sprite. The Fairy also requested a cricket named Sebastian J. Cricket to guide Pinocchio, and promised to grant him one wish in return. This plays a pivotal role towards the end.
In the original film Geppetto decided to send Pinocchio to school just minutes after he became alive. Here, Pinocchio is depicted as a naughty, spiteful 'kid' who lacks discipline, and it is recommended that Geppetto send him to school. This is much more realistic, and makes more sense.
Off course, Pinocchio decides not go to school and joins the circus after circus owner Count Volpe made false promises to him. Count Volpe also serves as the film's main antagonist. What follows is a coming of age journey filled with fun and adventure, tears and laughter, and above all, a very powerful message.
I must be honest, I didn't really like the Pinocchio character, but his unruly behaviour was essential for character development, and a heartfelt finale.