Alright so Pinocchio has been the hot ticket IP the last year or so, with animated and
live action adaptations, but Netflix and Guillermo Del Toro might have the best of the best on
their hands with their latest stop-motion animation, musical take on the character,
which differs quite a bit from the stereotypical Pinocchio story you’ve grown to know.
So in this video we’re going to talk about Del Toro’s inspiration for this story, how
the ending differs, some of its themes, along with our reaction and review of this latest
wooden boy turned human, or something kinda in the middle, Pinocchio movie.
Now if you enjoy the video, then hit that like button as it helps the channel, I would
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With that out of the way, a huge thank you for clicking this, I’m your host Jared,
now let’s get into Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio.
Now like I mentioned up top, Del Toro’s Pinocchio differs quite a bit from the other
Mouse House versions you grew up with, you know, with Gepetto wishing upon a star, the
wooden boy comes to life, and the pair get into all sorts of scrambles.
“Pinocchio!...
Father, when can I leave to be on my owwwwwnnn?”
How did that get made….
Yeah, completely different than that one too.
Instead Del Toro adapted Gris Grimly's designs from his 2002 edition of the 1883 Italian
novel, The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi.
And after looking at some of the illustrations in his book, Del Toro brought this all into
3-D stop motion flawlessly.
Like even the puppet scenes at the carnaval are ripped directly from the book.
As for the 1883 Italian novel, yes it does contain some of the familiar elements from
the big budget adaptations of Pinocchio you may be used to, but with a slight twist.
Del Toro simply uses the novel as a template keeping some things, while crafting his own
unique take with other parts.
Gepetto, Pinocchio, his nose growing, a cricket, the carnaval, and giant dog fish instead of
a whale are carried over.
Del Toro adds a bit of Frankenstein’s monster flare to Pinocchio, but one of the biggest
changes implemented is the setting of 1930’s Italy, set during the “Great War” or rather
World War 2.
At this time Italy is under fascist rule, and plays into many of the iconic Pinocchio
moments such that, Gepetto’s son Carlo died in a bombing, which drives him to alcoholism
and building Pinocchio.
This is a children’s movie right?
Haha, the young boys don’t go off to some island and become donkeys, but rather go into
a fascist youth organization camp, because they think Pinocchio will make the perfect
soldier because he can't die, and the ocean scenes feature dozens of naval mines, that
later dispatch the giant dogfish.
Del Toro clearly has something to say, likening this to how children watched the original
Disney adaptation and were to learn right from wrong.
His version though is for children AND adults.
He even includes Benito Mussolini, to not only fit the time setting, but to hilariously
riff on him.
Now the ending is something I did not expect, but does tie in with the more realistic, raw,
“Hey this is the tragedy of life my dude” approach.
So the dogfish is exploded into a million pieces of sushi, sending Pinocchio and the
gang soaring, resulting in the wooden boy dying a third time.
Pinocchio choses to leave the underworld early in order to save Gepetto from drowning, therefore
trading in his infinite lives, and becomes mortal.
This is the movie’s take on the “I’m a real boy now” moment, with him returning
and saving Gepetto.
However in this selfless act, Pinocchio drowns and dies.
The Wood Sprite shows up again, apologizing to Gepetto, that all she really wanted was
to bring him joy.
Which Pinocchio did, but now it’s sorrow, as Gepetto pleads with her to bring him back,
but reveals Pinocchio gave his life to save Gepetto’s.
J. Cricket chimes in stating it’s not fair, and that she had promised him one single wish
if he had looked over Pinocchio, and made sure he was a good boy, to do what was right.
Sure Cricket messed up a bit, but Pinocchio turned out to be better than a good boy, and
in turn taught Cricket what it was like to be good.
The Wood Sprite sees Cricket accomplished what she asked of him, and wishes Pinocchio
back to life, with the same spell she used in the beginning.
Gepetto admits he too learned something, that he had been trying to make Pinocchio into
something he wasn't.
He shouldn’t have to be like Carlo, or anyone else, but be exactly who you are.
One of the glaring main themes flowing through the story, as Pinocchio comes back to life.
Cricket, Spazzatura, Gepetto, and Pinocchio all celebrate his return, acknowledging “life
is such a wonderful gift.”
And a wonderful gift it is, as slowly one by one, Gepetto, Cricket, and Spazzatura pass
away, with Pinocchio being there for their final moments.
The two are buried next to Carlo’s grave, and Cricket in a blackbunny matchbox, living
in Pinocchio’s heart.
“What happens, happens….
And then we are gone”.
As we see another pristine pinecone fall from the tree…
I’m…
I’m not crying you… you are!
Now Del Toro’s Pinocchio does have a mid credits scene, so don’t get up off the couch
just yet.
As we see Sebastian J. Cricket in the afterlife playing cards with the blackrabbits that were
featured a handful of times when Pinocchio kept dying.
It's a quick final check in with the character, and if you can guess the entire story is actually
him recounting his life to the black rabbits.
Hence him being the narrator of the entire movie.
It’s a fun final nod to the character, but the recurring joke of J Cricket being interrupted
before…
What's that?
No, I’m just telling everyone about the mid credits scene where J Cricket is revealed.
Ahhhhhh You, I see you….
But Cricket finally gets his time to shine, singing his song that had been interrupted
time and time again, while featuring his excellent dance moves.
Where’s Pinocchio to throw it down too?
But I will admit, despite this adaptation being in development hell for roughly a decade,
it was well worth the wait, and completely stands alone from other adaptations of the
property.
Mainly because of its stop motion animation.
The absolute detail, like the Count having a long pointing nose too because he does nothing
but lie, and small mannerisms of the characters and environments were seamless.
I at many moments forgot a whole team had to rig this up, and meticulously move everything
centimeters to create this work of art.
Another thing that makes this feel so unique is the time setting and events Del Toro chose
to feature.
Ballsy is one way I’ll describe it, especially with the spotlight on the rise of fascism
and government control, which is very much present still today.
But it is also meaningful in multiple ways.
Sure it’s an educational and lighter historical look at things, but also meshes well with
the lessons Pinocchio needs to learn to become a real boy, become obedient in a sense, but
also learning to question the way things are, go against the status quo of things.
And realize what is important to a person and how those relationships can be life long.
I’m getting real sappy with things, but I gotta give Del Toro’s Pinocchio a solid
9/10.
Like I said everything is hitting those unique beats that were much appreciated, differing
itself from the pile of other Pinocchio’s out there, and hit the feels.
A perfect blend of Del Toro’s lighter horror elements, like things get dark.
You kidding me, Candlewick’s father wants him to shoot Pinocchio point blank haha.
Combined with joyous more lighthearted comedy.
Like I’m a sucker for a good fart song, so when Pinocchio was laying into Mussolini,
I got a real kick out of its Terrance and Phillip stylings.
But there are a handful of other comedic moments that made me laugh, like the ship captain
saluting “Arrivederci!”
right as they see the dogfish.
Voice cast as well was spot on, really added personality, Christoph Waltz, Mmmmm so good.
Anyway I’d love to hear your thoughts on Del Toro’s Pinocchio.
Was the stop motion approach better than what the ole’ mouse house has been shoveling
out?
And I’ll let you know
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