Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

(7/10 stars)

Better Than It's Disney Counterparts

As said in the title, the newest version of Pinocchio is much better than the other Disney reanimation projects. In 120 minutes, the film traverses thematic ideas like maturation, trauma, collective persecution, coercive labor, World Wars, death, and meanings in life. However, with more than enough topics, the movie barely has time to explore each in depth, which is one major let-down in my opinion.

Despite that, I am amused if not surprised by Del Toro’s personalized interpretation and alternation to the original story, especially with adding a historical background. Don’t be fooled by the childly musical components into thinking that the film is children-friendly, for the whale (spoilers) looks like a literal tumor, and it’s nostril a throbbing anus -- one thing I love about Del Toro, you never know when his fairy tale is intruded by loathsome figures or the cruel reality.

Lastly, whoever casted Cate Blanchett to voice Spazzatura is brilliant, as I cannot be entertained more imagining the great actress doing all sorts of weird grimaces and gestures, trying to make sounds of a baboon.