SlyGuy21
While "Pinocchio" might not be as challenging for children as other animated movies, it does have some great lessons to teach them. It's more of a cautionary tale than anything, about choices and the consequences of those choices. It starts off pretty innocent, just a carpenter wanting a son, but about 40 minutes in the movie takes a complete 180 tone-wise. The movie goes from lighthearted to creepy in an instant. I want to say the last time I saw this was when I was 5, and the only thing that stuck with me all these years was Lampwick getting turned into a donkey. Is that scene still creepy to me now, yes, but I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be. Scenes like that, Stromboli locking Pinocchio in a cage, the Coachman sending children to salt mines, and the Monstro chase during the climax can all be pretty scary for a kid. But much like "Watership Down", I think the goal of scenes like these were to teach the viewer something, not solely to scare them. It all circles back to consequences of your actions, and that is one of, if not THE most important lesson a child can be taught. The movie doesn't sugarcoat things too much, aside from it being animated, the movie's rather dark. I definitely recommend you show this to your children, but wait till they're about 8 or so. Not so young that the scarier moments will scar them, but old enough to understand the movie's message.
aileencorcoran
I'm actually not sure if I ever saw "Pinocchio" before now, but eh. This film took me by surprise, not because I thought it was going to be bad, but at how good it actually was. Based (although from what I've heard without much of the hardcore stuff) on Carlo Collidi's novel of the same name, "Pinocchio" tells the story of the titular puppet who longs to become a real boy. When his creator, and Italian toy-maker named Gepetto, wishes for the marionette to come to life, the Blue Fairy makes his wish come true. Not only that, if Pinocchio can prove himself good, honest and unselfish, he will become a REAL boy. With the help of his conscience, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio will learn how easy it is to be led off the beaten path, and how important it is to put yourself before others, to be honest and to always let conscience be your guide.The animation is stunning, with the shading exquisite, especially on the fur of Tuxedo cat, Figaro, and the wily fox, Honest John. The white finish makes to give the fur a distinct, fluffy look. The animation of the water is amazing, with luscious brushstrokes imitating the tide - hell, even the tide is animated well! The backgrounds are once again lovely, with these amazing panning shots that make it seem like it was filmed by an actual camera. The little details are wonderful, such as the flickering flames, the bubbles and the fish's transparent tail. It's a true work of art.The characters are plenty of fun too. Jiminy isn't half as annoying as I thought he'd be, in fact I found him charming. Pinocchio is that everyman kid, who soaks things in and comes out on top, but still isn't perfect. Not only is he a very good character due to this, but he acts like, well, a real kid! Kids do act selfish, tell lies and go against authority, but sometimes, especially when very young, they may not even know what they're doing is wrong. Pinocchio is a great example of this, and Jiminy walking away, getting lost and so forth shows the swaying of the conscience. It's very clever. Minor characters are shown for just the right amount of time, showcasing their charisma, likability and sometimes fear. The villains are great; all are malicious on different levels, but the one that shocked me most was the Coach Master, who runs Paradise Island. Call me an overthinker (which I am), but I got this child predator vibe off him; inviting kids to have fun, then stripping them down to a primal level ... ugh he was just creepy. Well, whatever the deeper implications may or may not be, the obvious intent is there, and is clever too. I guess it can be read in many different ways.Gepetto was a likable fellow, but who really stood out to me was Figaro, the cat. Let's just say I understand why Disney wanted him to be in the film as much as possible, he's just adorable, and his expressions are great! Overall, "Pinocchio" is a wonderful film , with stunning artwork and numerous important messages for children, and even adults.
