Pinocchio Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.0

Pinocchio Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 5, 2021

1883’s “The Adventures of Pinocchio” is a beloved book from author Carlo Collodi, bringing a vivid tale of behavior and consequences to readers of all ages. It’s also a public domain tale open to anyone with interest in adapting the work. Over the decades, numerous versions of the story have been manufactured for film, radio, television, and the stage, with no shortage of creative people looking to leave their fingerprints on Collodi’s most famous creation. Perhaps sensing he has to come up with something memorable to compete in a crowded marketplace, co-writer/director Matteo Garrone (“Gomorrah”) tries to respect the source material with his version of “Pinocchio,” restoring Collodi’s plotting and darkness while delivering a vivid study of animal kingdom activity. Those accustomed to the softness of previous takes might be overwhelmed by this picture, which is imaginatively made with amazing technical achievements, but not an endeavor that touches the heart.

A poor, hungry woodworker, Mister Geppetto (Roberto Benigni) is handed a special log by a friend to help him realize his dream of having a son. Geppetto carves Pinocchio (Federico Ielapi), with the wooden boy coming to life, ready to explore the world around him. Eager to take in a traveling puppet show run by Mangiafuoco (Gigi Proietti), Pinocchio is claimed by the old man, pulled away from his home to live a new life with creations tied to strings. Permitted to escape such an existence, Pinocchio soon runs into trouble with Cat (Rocco Papaleo) and Fox (Massimo Ceccherini), two dangerous con men who proclaim their fondness for the traveler, secretly setting their sights on his fortune of five gold coins. Experiencing the challenges of survival, Pinocchio is offered advice from a Talking Cricket (Davide Marotta) and offered a safe haven with the Fairy with the Turquoise Hair (Marine Vacth), who offers the wood creation a chance to become a real boy, but only if he remains responsible with his choices.

It’s interesting to see Benigni in Garrone’s picture, previously mounting his own take on “Pinocchio” in 2002, which bombed at the box office, effectively killing career momentum for the actor/director. Instead of playing the titular character, Benigni is now portraying Geppetto, who’s depicted as a starving man searching for anything to fix to help feed himself. Curiously, the man wants to bring a boy into his life, handed a special log of wood to create Pinocchio, bringing magic to his dreary, empty existence. Garrone doesn’t sweeten the moment, keeping Pinocchio a free spirit without any concern for Geppetto, trading a chance at an education for an afternoon with a puppet show, which soon takes him into the open world.

Garrone maintains menace to his “Pinocchio,” sending the character into a dense fantasy world filled with predators and strangers. However, instead of completely shellacking the feature in CGI, the helmer elects to utilize some makeup effects to bring the community to life, giving woodsy texture to Pinocchio and animal faces to the supporting cast. There’s true artistry on display in Garrone’s movie, which generates an unreality to support Collodi’s imagination. Those weaned on Walt Disney’s animated endeavor from 1940 might be in for a shock, as Garrone presents a nightmarish version of the saga, aiming for a storybook look that’s a bit Henson but mostly del Toro. During Pinocchio’s odyssey, he meets with a gorilla judge, a helpful tuna fish, and, during his time with the Fairy, he’s doted on by her housemaid, a snail (Maria Pia Timo, who looks remarkable). And there’s Talking Cricket, Pinocchio’s conscience, who drops in to plead with the boy, trying to talk him out of horrible decisions. It’s a menagerie of creatures that always keeps “Pinocchio” compelling when the story itself isn’t exactly electric in 2021.

Pinocchio Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

While "Pinocchio" is an incredible looking picture, the AVC encoded image (2.38:1 aspect ratio) presentation isn't always strong enough to support the artistry on display. Artifacting is common throughout the viewing experience, with posterization and banding detected, flaring up in a major way during scenes with limited lighting or smoke effects. Detail is generally strong, capturing the impressive makeup work found in the production. Woodsy textures on Pinocchio are a highlight, but the animal kingdom comes alive overall, with rough skin and fine hair appreciable. Location distances are dimensional, and decoration is always open for closer examination. The color palette is dialed down by the filmmakers, who choose to use their hues wisely, pumping up the red of Pinocchio's clothes and the blueness of the Fairy's hair and dress. Skintones retain their intended appearance. Delineation is satisfactory, with some mild solidification.

Pinocchio Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix delivers distinct dialogue exchanges, securing performance emphasis and accents. Frontal power is felt with the acting, while surrounds enjoy some mild panning effects and a wider feel for scoring cues, which retain crisp instrumentation, especially the main theme of the feature, offering gentle acoustic guitar and flute. Low-end comes alive with percussion and the climatic Terrible Dogfish sequence, as the rumble of the beast registers with power. Atmospherics are appreciable, capturing exterior expanse and room tone, also providing a sense of community bustle during group scenes.

Pinocchio Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:09, HD) is included.

Pinocchio Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you know "Pinocchio," Garrone's take connects the same dots, highlighting the boy's experimentation with lying (lengthening his nose), and his visits to Toyland and the belly of the Terrible Dogfish. Garrone goes traditional to retain what's been lost over the years (including numerous attempts to murder Pinocchio, keeping this a PG-13 viewing experience), but he doesn't offer much emotional content, going icy, even with Geppetto's fatherly concern, which carries no weight here. The helmer has made something to be admired, not adored, with "Pinocchio" impressively mounted with attention to every frame detail. It's an achievement in filmmaking design, providing unique eye candy for those hunting for a surprise in an oft-told tale.