Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
#MRFLIXTER
I took the time to watch Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio on Netflix. It's yet another version of the classic Italian novel The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi. This is my SPOILER-FREE REVIEW. Can it separate itself from all the other versions we've had this year? This was the year of Pinocchio after all.
Directed by Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson with a screenplay by del Toro and Patrick McHale, stunning stop-motion animation is used to tell a darker, more mature version. They've injected a unique visual style to build a world of wondrous sights to both behold and fear. I think it does well at developing characters. For example, Pinocchio isn't concerned about whether or not he turns into a real boy. The transformation is focused on Geppetto's journey. He has to accept and love Pinocchio for who he is. This was inspired by del Toro's relationship with his father. It also shows things like why Pinocchio isn't allowed to go to school. I like how this movie isn't afraid to be its own thing.
I love how the animation is so fluid. Each character's design and the set pieces have a distinctly unique look and everyone is so interesting to look at with specific ways of movements for each of them. The new design for Pinocchio especially is fantastic. More importantly, the animation is consistent. No matter how odd a certain character looks they all seem to fit as a piece of the puzzle. The muted colour palette suits the darker tone of the film.
Gregory Mann is Pinocchio. He gives such an exuberant performance as everything he learns is a new discovery. His harrowing adventure has emotional resonance while he tries to find his place in the world. He perfectly encapsulates the rambunctiousness and innocence of the puppet.
David Bradley is Gepetto. He has a tragic back story that has tremendous emotional weight. His voice acting is so magnanimous. I clung to every word he said.
Ewan McGregor is Sebastian J Cricket. He reminds me of his role in Moulin Rouge because they were both aspiring writers who are inexperienced when it comes to living life. They are both naive yet charming. I just wish the character had more of an active role in this film.
Tilda Swinton plays the Wood Sprite, replacing the Blue Fairy. She's played with a mystical sense amounting to a great performance. Partly imbuing words of encouragement but mostly adding her words of wisdom, the voice acting really adds to her character's mystical presence.
Christoph Waltz is Count Volpe, he's a combination of Stromboni and the Fox aka Honest John. His character is human here but many details encompass fox attributes aside from his cunning and tenacity. His hair is styled like fox ears, he's got a pointed snout, and he wears a fox necklace. His name even translates to "fox" in Italian. His voice acting is both captivating and scary. He's completely believable as a helping hand with dark intentions.
Cate Blanchette is Spazzatura. Count Volpe's mistreated monkey. His name translates to "trash" or "garbage" in Italian and can only speak through the puppets he operates. He's the replacement for the Cat sidekick from the original tale. I like how the monkey becomes more of the main character as the plot progresses. Despite not speaking, she does so well at bringing the monkey to life.
Ron Perlman plays Podesta, replacing the Coachman. In this film, he's Candlewick's father and a fascist government official who wants to turn Pinocchio into a soldier for Italy's military once he realizes he can't die. His cold, stoic delivery embodies the powerful military official perfectly. He was a wise casting choice and should do more voice acting in my opinion.
Finn Wolfhard is Candlewick, Podesta's son. He stands in for Lampwick. He performs with gusto as a bully who befriends Pinocchio and eventually redeems himself. He voice acting makes his storyline so compelling.
I'm not sure how I feel about the design of Monstro. I like how he ties into the story a little more naturally than before. How they escape has to be seen to be believed.
Overall, this is far superior to that abysmal Disney remake because it doesn't feel like it's going through the motions for a nostalgia checklist. This movie is more politically focused rather than trying to be family-friendly. It's a good way to separate it from all the other Pinocchio films. The world that they've built is so enthralling. I was fully invested in all the characters. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Set during the reign of Mussolini, the heavily politically charged film focuses on a society of people who behave like obedient puppets. By contrast, Pinocchio is an independent, irrepressible free spirit that can't bring himself to submit to authority figures. It also touches on themes of fascism, facing adversity, grief from loss, being a good person, the monster outcast, and paternal/child relationships. The film isn't afraid to go into surprising territory. There's just something about Pinocchio holding a gun that is so unsettling. I love how each musical number has a uniquely, distinctive sound. Yes, it's a musical. I did say it's surprising, didn't I? It's similar to his other works like Pan's Labyrinth and The Shape of Water because it explores the same themes. The journey of self-discovery and moral agency explores humanity by those who are perceived as different. I highly recommend this superior rendition. It's streaming now on Netflix. And remember, my nose didn't grow so you know it's true.
Grade: Extra Extra Extra Large Popcorn
