Everyone knows the story of Pinocchio. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio certainly follows a similar story but it is more dark, mature, and gritty. It pulls much more from the original novel by Carlo Collodi, while also delivering new twists and shocking story points.
Filmed completely in stop motion animation, with very little help from computer graphics (yes, even the facial expressions are mostly done by puppet), this is the most visually stunning representation of Pinocchio ever seen.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio weaves in many of the well known story beats, but it also dives heavily into the darker ones from the novel. There are themes of war and death, as Pinocchio is recruited by Italian fascists before World War II.
As viewers get to know Geppetto before Pinocchio came into his life, it is hard not to immediately connect with him. Parents especially will feel for him, and immediately relate to all of the emotions that he is going through when he loses his son.
Sure, this movie can be watched by children, but it very clearly is not FOR children. This is for people of all ages who can handle mature content. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is going to dig deep into your soul and make you feel things you haven’t felt in a while. It will tug at every single heartstring of yours and push you to your limits.
Easily the best version of this tale that has been brought to the screen. It explores darker themes and is visually stunning.
4.5 out of 5