What Is the Story About?
Geppetto (Tom Hanks) is an aged wood toymaker. He completes a puppet reminiscent of his deceased young son and names it Pinocchio. Upon the wish of Geppetto to a falling star, Pinocchio comes to life. Later a fairy tale visits Pinocchio and tells him that if he fulfils certain conditions, he will become a real boy.
What are the conditions? What difficulties does Pinocchio face? Who is Jimini and how he helps Pinocchio in the process, is the movie’s core plot.
Performances?
Tom Hanks as Geppetto is almost unrecognisable in the aged get-up and prosthetics. As one expects from him, he lives the character. He does his work sincerely, but the impact is still missing. It is mainly due to the writing and curtailed presence.
Giuseppe Battiston plays Stromboli loudly. He goes over the top with the act, which is again a clear-cut choice made by the maker. He, too, does justice to the part, irrespective of the length, but the impact is missing.
Kyanne Lamanne appears interesting for a while before disappearing entirely. In the brief moments she surfaces, she shows signs of potential.
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth and Joseph Gordon-Levitt provide a voice to two of the main characters in the movie. Benjamin gave the voice to Pinocchio, the main lead of the film does a neat job with it. There is an innocent in it, which can’t be missed. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is alright in the key moments.
Analysis
Veteran director Robert Zemeckis of Forrest Gump fame directs Pinocchio. It is a remake of an old animation classic of the same name, following a trend of senior directors taking a similar remaking old movies route.
The problem with Pinocchio appears immediately. The original was a completely animated narrative where the story worked perfectly fine. The visuals bringing together natural and animated lack the immersive appeal. Here it looks like a mismatch.
Then there is the dreamy-looking vintage Italian town that’s captured in dazzling style. It also comes across as a distraction and doesn’t fit well with the core narrative.
All these visual choices and distractions would still be fine if the actual content held appeal. Even that doesn’t happen as the whole thing appears too light and bland. Weak and predictable writing is to be blamed here more than anything else.
Despite the many issues Pinocchio goes through, one is never emotionally invested in his journey. The lack of connection is the biggest undoing of Pinocchio. There are also no changes (minor or major) done in the remake. If you have seen the classic animation flick, nothing new is on offer here.
It is not all a lost cause; some small moments and universally relatable messages are told metaphorically, which is fine for the kids. The narrative neatly integrates those parts. But, in the larger scheme, they don’t all come together to create the much-needed big impact.
Overall, Pinocchio is well shot and executed but has no soul. It is flat and bland and gets over even before we start warming up to it. Give it a try if you have no idea about its original or have not seen it.
Music and Other Departments?
Alan Silvestri’s music is fine. Even if there is nothing remarkable or memorable, it works well neatly in taking the proceedings forward. Don Burgess’s cinematography is excellent. The whole production design, coupled with the beautifully lit frames, give Pinocchio a mini-spectacle appeal. The editing is smooth. The writing is where Pinocchio fails to build on as there is no depth in words.
Highlights?
Making
Integrated Messages
Drawbacks?
Emotionless
Bland
Flat Narrative
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, In Parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, But With Huge Reservations
Pinocchio Movie Review by Binged Bureau
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