Pinocchio

Voices of: Dickie Jones, Christian Rub, Mel Blanc, Billy Bletcher, Walt Disney, Jack Mercer
Directed by: Ben Sharpsteen, Hamilton Luske
Rating: G
Genre: Animation, Comedy
1940

Times Seen:
Tim: 3

Summary: After an old man wishes on a star, his puppet comes to life. But, to become a real boy, he must learn valuable lessons about life.

Review:

Tim: I have to say, I don't always love the animated "classics". Disney films like Fantasia, Dumbo, and Bambi have various levels of quality, but none of those are great movies (in my opinion, obviously). Pinocchio isn't in that category. Disney's second animated film is a great movie. It's a movie that holds up 80+ years after its initial release and while some of it is dated and cringe-worthy, it's still an iconic film.

The story is now part of the public consciousness- Geppetto, the fairy, Jiminy Cricket, and of course, the wooden boy whose nose grows when he lies. These images and characters have survived for decades because they are so exceptionally well done. Some of the aspects of the film haven't quite retained that same level of consciousness. I was surprised by some aspects of the story while watching it with my kids (for the first time in at least two decades). Still, this is a movie that delivers some powerful messages in an entertaining package. It's a memorable, terrific film.

Some aspects of the story were so familiar to me, but others were more surprising. I'd completely forgotten about the character of Figaro the cat. There was something so comforting about watching the Blue Fairy descend from the heavens to bestow upon Geppetto's puppet the gift of life. I loved being able to share this scene with my six year-old son and two year-old daughter. Once Pinocchio comes to life, he's ready to head off to school. This is where his story strays from the path. The powerful life lessons were lost on me when I first watched this film as a child. I was struck by the clear message about becoming a real boy- you must be brave, truthful, and unselfish. These are attributes that I sincerely hope my children embody as they grow up. I recognize these deeper lessons were lost on them (like I was, they're too young to truly grasp these concepts), but the ideas were there and I know their brains retained them in some measure. It's funny, one of the most iconic traits of Pinocchio is that when he lies, his nose grows. I know this, everyone knows this. I was surprised that it only showed up in one quick scene. It would be easy to miss if it wasn't already so iconic. It's a great scene, but I was surprised how powerful it was with only showing up one time in the film.

Pinocchio's journey is an interesting one because of how easily he's manipulated and led astray. It's certainly a cautionary tale and I was able to speak to my kids about the choices Pinocchio made and the impact that had on him. The world has changed drastically since this movie was released, but the inherent life lessons the film bestows on the audience are still true today. It's important to focus on that, because much of the movie feels difficult to watch in today's environment. Watching these young characters smoke and drink isn't the easiest thing to do and the idea of them being turned into slave labor is a bit much for younger audiences. The transformation of boys into donkeys offers a memorable visual, but it might be frightening to younger viewers (my son handled it far better than I expected).

The film offers some truly wonderful sequences. The "I've Got No Strings" song scene is fantastic and a stunning example of what Disney was able to accomplish in their animation. The entire climax with the whale is just fantastic. It's so exciting, thrilling, and unforgettable. The aforementioned nose-growing scene is equally as iconic. And, of course, there's the award-winning "When You Wish Upon a Star", a song that has certainly withstood the test of time.

Speaking of awards, Pinocchio did win 2 Academy Awards- Best Original Song and Best Original Score. That further cements this movie's legacy as one of the all-time greats. I do find it fascinating that right out of the gates, Disney delivered two great movies- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as their first picture and Pinocchio as their second. I'm sure many would claim the following films- Fantasia, Dumbo, and Bambi as great too. I wouldn't, but it's an impressive start for an animation studio. It's so interesting to look back 80+ years to see where Disney began. This is still one of the best productions.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fantasia, Dumbo, Bambi