Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio coming to Netflix after a limited theater run.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio tackles one of the most retold tales in cinema. There have been dozens of adaptations of about the wooden boy; this year, there will be two feature films. Disney debuted their live-action adaption of Pinocchio based on their 1940 film on Disney+. Unfortunately, it was a lackluster retelling that only had star power behind it, such as Tom Hank and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The upcoming stop-motion adaptation coming to Netflix is much more promising, thanks to the collaboration with top-motion legend Mark Gustafson.
Synopsis
A father’s wish magically brings a wooden boy to life in Italy, giving him a chance to care for the child.
To my surprise, Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio is the best adaptation of the iconic story. It is not just a simple rehash we have seen multiple times but offers a more profound tale. Additionally, it delivers a multi-dimensional story about father and son. Moreover, it is a much darker tale that tackles gritty and mature themes. This film finally delivers an origin story for Geppeto, showcasing his life as a father before tragedy hits, thanks to the war brought by Mussolini. The voice cast is outstanding, but the stand out is Ewan McGregor, who narrates the entire film as Pinocchio’s ally. His delivery has so much heart and soul, which delivers a tone that will tug at heartstrings. This stop-motion visual is a cinematic masterpiece with plenty of charm and creepiness to keep you engaged. It is complemented by a soundtrack that will make you smile as it takes you on a father-son journey. The close to two-hour runtime is the only thing holding it back from perfection.
Verdict
I give Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio 4.5 out of 5 stars. It is a refreshing departure from what we have seen a million times about a wooden boy with no strings attached. Start streaming it on Netflix on December 9th. Read more Reviews on Nerdtropolis and Subscribe to our YouTube.
Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.