For the second time this year, the world is watching the story of a wooden puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio tells a story as old as time. Since the release of Carlo Collodi’s The Adventure of Pinocchio novel in 1883, this iconic story has been a staple of many lives, whether through the book or the 1940 Disney animated film. from Disney to bring the tale to life with its live-action remake earlier this year, cinematic auteur Guillermo del Toro graces the screen with a phenomenally animated and exquisitely crafted film.
Some movies take months to make. Some movies take years. Pinocchio took over a decade. A passion project that began its tumultuous road in 2008 has been gloriously brought to the screen with Netflix, and the results are monumental. Del Toro’s love for history comes to life as he makes a beautiful film about a naïve young protagonist encountering the world around him from a unique perspective. This film is thematically rich, exploring life, its beauties, its ugly nature, and all that comes with our existence on this planet.
This movie shines in every way that Disney’s 2022 live-action movie didn’t. While this film offered a unique blend of CGI and live action, its avoidance of its source material and its commitment to telling a more modern, sanitized version of the story is what kept this film from feeling anything else. than a soulless cash grab. However, the passion and love for the source material shines through in every clip of del Toro’s film. The way this character has influenced del Toro since childhood is what made him the perfect person to direct this film. He brings his soul to the project, co-writing and co-directing the film with many collaborators and creating a beautiful cinematic experience.
What sets this film apart is its stop-motion animation. In an environment dominated by 3D computer animation, it is fascinating that a director decides to follow another path. Del Toro combines visual effects with intricate character models and sets. Filming began in January 2020, and everything about this film feels like a labor of love. The animators are some of the first names you see in this movie’s end credits, showing del Toro’s level of appreciation for the team that went through the tedious stop-motion process.
Their work pays off in volumes, as the lighting, cinematography and the way they bring a wooden puppet to life is outstanding. The contraption on display is a miracle and the voice actors match the film. Ewan McGregor is a surprise as Sebastian J. Cricket, who gets plenty of comedic moments, and his voice works perfectly for the character. A star-studded cast that includes David Bradley, Christoph Waltz, Tilda Swinton, Ron Perlman, Finn Wolfhard, and even Cate Blanchett as the ape assistant completes the film, and they bring their unique talents to the table.
Del Toro also does a great job of updating the source material to his style, setting the story in Italy during the reign of fascist Benito Mussolini. The setting allows del Toro to put the character of Pinocchio into his world, with a historical backdrop that allows for different locations for the story. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio delivers the best animation of the year, with a fantastic cast, gorgeous visuals and a dazzling script. This labor of love pays off, taking a wooden idea and making it into a real movie.
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