While the musical moments in Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio can feel lacking (it’s unlikely any tracks will make it on your Spotify), the overall themes are powerful from start to finish. The exploration of Carlo and Gippetto serves as some of the most emotional moments. Building on Geppeto’s father-son relationship with Pinocchio against the backdrop of Mussolini’s Italy adds poignancy to the relationship, especially juxtaposed with the father-son dynamic of the fascist leader Podesta and his son Candlewick (Finn Wolfhard).
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio will undoubtedly move audiences with its strong sense of character and heavy themes. However, its unique brand of stop-motion animation is what will initially captivate the viewer. The entire art style does an excellent job of balancing eerie and whimsical, befitting the story of the characters struggling with morality in the face of instant gratification. Some may compare this version to the classic Disney film due to the source material. However, in the style and story (let alone being stop-motion), del Toro’s version is more befitting a double-feature with James & The Giant Peach or The Nightmare Before Christmas.
“The characters and themes are much more complex than in the 1940 Disney classic.”
Reflecting on the film, I asked myself how this compares to prior versions of the story. The characters and themes are much more complex than in the 1940 Disney classic. Admittedly though, the songs could be catchier, but they serve the story well. No matter how one looks at it, del Toro’s is miles better than the 2022 Disney live-action remake and the direct-to-video Pinocchio: A True Story.
Though it may not be as iconic as the 1940s version, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is still astounding. Every character is fleshed out and filled with eccentricities lacking in prior versions. Themes of empathy, fascism, dealing with death, and learning to live again run deep within this masterpiece. And for all the complexities, the film is just plain enjoyable. Pinocchio’s many brushes with death are comical, the voice acting is superb, and the animation is wonderous. For my money, it is the best Pinocchio and the best animated film this year.
"…the best animated film this year."
