Pinocchio...A true Disney gem.
While watching this updated version of the original I was amazed by two things. The first being the leaps and bounds made in the animation industry since 1940 and secondly, how well the animation was done back in the 40s.
Although Disney has put out plenty of great animated films over the years past, Pinocchio represents, to me, pure Disney. Here we have a tale of a woodworker named Geppetto who crafts a wooden Marionette named Pinocchio. Although not much background is given for Gepetto, it is easy to see he lives a simple life. Besides being surrounded by his wooden creations, the only other live company he has is Cleo the goldfish and Figaro the cat.
One night Geppetto makes a single wish and that wish is for Pinocchio to be a real boy. And so our tale begins.
A magical fairy appears after Geppetto and his critters have fallen asleep. Because of all the happiness he has given to others, his wish of Pinocchio becoming real is granted - but with strings attached...pardon the pun.
Pinocchio is given the opportunity to live as a wooden puppet and if, and only if, he makes the right choices in life, he'll be transformed in to a human boy. It's not as easy as it might seem, especially for a wooden puppet suddenly introduced to the real world. To lend a helping hand Jiminy Cricket, who yes, is a cricket, is given the task of being his conscience and helping along the way.
Temptation waits at every corner for Pinocchio. During a simple task of going to school he finds himself cornered by two unsavory characters who plant the seed of how well he could be as an actor and how school is a waste of time. It doesn't take long before he realizes what a colossal mistake he's made and the dire situation he's put himself in by not going to school. Pinocchio immediately regrets not listening to Jiminy who advised him against all his bad choices. But before matters get too far out of hand, the magical fairy who gave Pinocchio life returns and rescues them with an admonishment. Her message? This would be the last time she intervenes. He tries desperately to explain how he came to be in this situation and thinks just like anyone his age, a little exaggeration of the truth won't hurt much. As more and more lies are told Pinocchio's nose grows longer and longer.
Before many movies were made solely for entertainment purposes, many of them, such as Pinocchio often carried lessons in them. Before even the halfway point of the movie we've already been told and seen what happens when we don't go to school and tell lies. Near the end another valuable lesson about underage smoking and drinking is conveyed. Although the consequence is entirely fictional, the message is still conveyed well.
In the end Pinocchio proves himself worthy of becoming a human boy and as with most Disney movies, it is a happy ending for all.
Overall, this is one of the finest Disney movies made in my opinion. It brings home the true values of what animated movies used to be. Fantasy, entertainment and like it or not, real life lessons.
Blu-ray Bonus Features
With the plethora of extras on both the standard DVD format and Blu-ray formats, this is an absolute must buy to add to your Disney collection.
"Pinocchio's Matter of Facts"
For you Trivial Pursuit and Disney buffs this is a bonus item created especially for you. Watch the entire film again with pop-up facts about the movie
Audio Commentary
If the factoids from the ‘Matter of Facts' didn't appease your appetite for useless knowledge, you can enable the audio commentary and listen to Leonard Maltin, Eric Goldberg and J. B. Kaufman's perspectives while watching the feature.
"Disney Song Selection"
A great option if you finally would like to be able to sing the words with your children instead of humming the parts you're not quite sure of. Also makes great practice for karaoke night!
"No Strings Attached"
A segment I recommend taking a look at, especially if you have any interest in how animation was created many years ago. I'll give you a little hint, not much CGI work was taking place back in the 40's.
Deleted Scenes
Anytime I see this menu option, I'm drawn to it like a warm lemon meringue pie on my birthday. It's something that I just must see. The deleted scenes in Pinocchio do not disappoint as long as you go in to them with a realistic expectation. You won't see full animated scenes that were cut out. What you will see are storyboards with voice-overs of previously non-existent sequences, including an alternate ending.
"The Sweat Box"
The Sweatbox was a small projection room at the Disney studio where Walt critiqued story reels, rough animation, and dailies of films in progress with his anxious artists. This
piece traces the history of the Sweatbox and brings to life this important part of Walt Disney's artistic process.
Deleted Songs
What would make a list of bonus features more complete than a list of deleted scenes? Deleted songs! These songs never made it in to the final film and are worth a few minutes as they add the icing on the cake of deleted items.
"Pinocchio Puzzles"
After the movie is all said and done, if you're still looking for that last something to keep the kids entertained, select the Pinocchio Puzzles option. Hosted by Jiminy Cricket, there are six puzzles in all to complete.
"Pinocchio: 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition" is on sale March 10, 2009 and is rated G. Animation, Children & Family. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen, Hamilton Luske. Written by Carlo Collodi, Ted Sears. Starring Christian Rub, Cliff Edwards, Dickie Jones, Don Brodie, Mel Blanc.
