Geppetto mourns over his lifeless body, and thanks him for being a good son. The Blue Fairy, who has been watching over Pinocchio, is moved by his sacrifice, and rewards him by turning him into a real boy. Pinocchio wakes up, and is overjoyed to see that he is human.
He hugs Geppetto, Jiminy, Figaro, and Cleo, and thanks the Blue Fairy for making his dream come true. The film ends with Jiminy receiving a gold medal from the Blue Fairy, and singing “When You Wish Upon a Star”.
Comparison with the 1940 Film
The 2022 film is largely faithful to the 1940 film, but also makes some changes and additions that affect the tone, style, and message of the story. Some of the changes are:
- The film updates the setting from the 19th century to the present day, and adds elements of science fiction and dystopia, such as holograms, robots, and surveillance cameras. The film also adds a subplot about a mysterious corporation called Blue Star, which is behind the creation of the Blue Fairy and the transformation of the children into donkeys. The film implies that Blue Star is conducting experiments on human emotions and morality, and that Pinocchio is part of their plan.
- The film expands the role of Jiminy Cricket, who serves as the narrator and the main source of humor in the film. The film also gives him a backstory, revealing that he was once a human journalist who was turned into a cricket by the Blue Fairy after he exposed Blue Star’s secrets. The film also adds a romantic interest for Jiminy, a female cricket named Sofia, who is voiced by Lorraine Bracco.
- The film reduces the role of the Blue Fairy, who appears only as a hologram and does not interact with Pinocchio or Geppetto directly. The film also changes her appearance, making her look more like a futuristic android than a fairy. The film also removes the scene where she revives Pinocchio after he is hanged by Honest John and the Coachman, and the scene where she tests Pinocchio’s honesty by asking him why he skipped school.
- The film adds a new character, Signora Vitelli, who is Geppetto’s neighbor and friend. She is played by Sheila Atim, and serves as a maternal figure for Pinocchio. She also helps Geppetto with his financial troubles, and encourages him to pursue his passion for woodcarving.
- The film changes the character of Stromboli, who is played by Giuseppe Battiston. He is portrayed as a more sympathetic and complex character, who is also a victim of Blue Star’s schemes. He reveals that he was once a famous puppeteer, but his puppets were stolen by Blue Star, who used them to create the Blue Fairy. He also shows some remorse for his treatment of Pinocchio, and helps him escape from the Coachman.
- The film changes the character of the Coachman, who is played by Luke Evans. He is portrayed as a more menacing and sadistic villain, who enjoys torturing and enslaving the children. He also has a personal connection to Pinocchio, as he is revealed to be the son of the original woodcarver who created Pinocchio’s piece of wood. He claims that he has the right to own Pinocchio, and tries to kill him and Geppetto.
- The film changes the character of Lampwick, who is played by Lewin Lloyd. He is portrayed as a more sympathetic and tragic character, who is also a victim of Blue Star’s experiments. He reveals that he was once a normal boy, but he was kidnapped by the Coachman and injected with a serum that made him act like a donkey. He also shows some remorse for his behavior, and tries to warn Pinocchio of the danger of Pleasure Island.
- The film changes the character of Monstro, who is portrayed as a more realistic and terrifying whale, rather than a cartoonish one. The film also adds a scene where Pinocchio and Geppetto encounter a group of friendly dolphins, who help them escape from Monstro.
Analysis and Criticism
The 2022 film is a disappointing and unnecessary remake of the 1940 film, which fails to capture the magic, charm, and emotion of the original. The film suffers from several problems, such as:
- The film lacks the artistic and aesthetic appeal of the 1940 film, which was praised for its beautiful animation, expressive characters, and memorable songs. The 2022 film relies heavily on CGI and motion capture, which make the characters look unnatural and uncanny, especially Pinocchio, who is supposed to be a wooden puppet. The film also lacks the musical elements of the 1940 film, which added to the mood and the message of the story. The only song that is retained is “When You Wish Upon a Star”, which is sung by Jiminy at the end of the film, but it feels out of place and forced.
- The film changes the tone and style of the story, making it darker, grittier, and more complex than the original. The film adds elements of science fiction and dystopia, such as Blue Star, the Blue Fairy, and the serum, which are not explained or justified, and only serve to confuse and distract the audience. The film also adds unnecessary violence and gore, such as the scene where the Coachman shoots and kills Honest John and Gideon, and the scene where Pinocchio is crushed by the mast. The film loses the simplicity and innocence of the original, which was based on a fairy tale and a moral lesson.
- The film alters the characters and their relationships, making them less likable and relatable than the original. The film reduces the role of the Blue Fairy, who is the main source of magic and guidance in the story, and makes her a cold and distant figure, who does not care about Pinocchio or Geppetto. The film also diminishes the bond between Pinocchio and Geppetto, who are the heart and soul of the story, and makes them spend less time together. The film also changes the personalities and motivations of some of the characters, such as Stromboli, the Coachman, and Lampwick, making them more sympathetic or more villainous, but not more interesting or believable.
- The film fails to deliver the message and the moral of the story, which is about the importance of being brave, truthful, and unselfish, and the consequences of lying, disobeying, and indulging. The film does not show how Pinocchio learns from his mistakes, or how he proves himself worthy of becoming a real boy. The film also does not show how Pinocchio’s actions affect others, such as Geppetto, Jiminy, or the children who are turned into donkeys. The film does not make the audience care about Pinocchio’s journey, or his transformation.
Conclusion
Pinocchio 2022 is a live-action remake that does not live up to the expectations of the fans of the 1940 film, or the original story by Collodi. The film is a dull and uninspired attempt to cash in on the nostalgia and popularity of the classic character, but it fails to capture the essence and the spirit of the original.
