'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' (2022) - On Netflix

Pinocchio is the movie directed by Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson, starring Gregory Mann and David Bradley. It premiered at the AFI Fest in November, and is now streaming on Netflix.

This year, Robert Zemeckis‘s Pinnochio was released, and got mixed reviews. Guillermo del Toro‘s version of the story is set in a completely different era – 1920’s Italy. This latest adaptation is largely done with stop motion animation.

Premise

During the rise of fascism in Mussolini’s Italy, a wooden boy brought magically to life struggles to live up to his father’s expectations.

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Movie Review

Here we have a movie that has been brought about with one great virtue: it is created with singularity. Truly a spectacular production, we are given another version of this classic to what might be the bright and colorful takes, so characteristic of the Disney adaptations. This movie is far darker, closer to the original piece it is based on.

Pinocchio has the stereoscopic effects, with its detailed animation, and with that touch of magic so true to the story and the creator of this adaptation. It is visually stunning.

Narrated by Sebastian J. Cricket (Ewan McGregor), an outstanding storyteller, and amusing character, who funnily enough, has a portrait of Schopenhauer amongst his few belongings, he is an aspiring author.

Pinocchio oscillates between a musical, a dark comedy, and a movie for a more grown audience – placing itself in the category of auteur film, a movie with “soul”.

Our Opinion

A more complex version of this classic that dares to cover the darker sides, as well as the brighter ones, of existence. Its impressive craftsmanship suffices as a reason to watch this feature film.