Diksia.com - Pinocchio is one of the most beloved and iconic characters in the history of animation. Created by Italian author Carlo Collodi in 1883, the wooden puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy has inspired countless adaptations, including Walt Disney’s 1940 masterpiece, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest animated films of all time.
In 2022, Disney released a live-action remake of Pinocchio, directed by Robert Zemeckis, who is known for his innovative use of visual effects in films such as Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, and The Polar Express. The film stars Tom Hanks as Geppetto, the woodcarver who creates Pinocchio, and features the voices of Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jiminy Cricket, Keegan-Michael Key as Honest John, Lorraine Bracco as Sofia, Cynthia Erivo as the Blue Fairy, and Luke Evans as the Coachman. The film also introduces Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as the voice of Pinocchio, who is portrayed by a combination of CGI and motion capture.
The film was released on September 8, 2022, on Disney+, as part of Disney+ Day, a celebration of the streaming service’s second anniversary. The film received generally negative reviews from critics, who found it unnecessary and lacking the charm of the original, and criticized the writing and deviations, as well as the lack of improvement over previous adaptations. The film also received six Golden Raspberry Award nominations, including Worst Picture and Worst Actor for Hanks, and won for Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off or Sequel.
In this article, we will review and analyze the film, and compare it to the 1940 animated classic, as well as other versions of the story. We will also discuss the reasons behind the film’s failure, and the challenges of adapting a timeless tale for a modern audience.
Plot Summary
The film follows the basic plot of the 1940 film, with some changes and additions. The film begins with Jiminy Cricket narrating the story of Pinocchio, and how he came to be his conscience. He introduces us to Geppetto, a lonely and poor woodcarver who lives in a small Italian village with his cat Figaro and his fish Cleo. Geppetto finds a piece of wood that seems to have a life of its own, and decides to carve it into a puppet that he names Pinocchio.
He wishes upon a star that Pinocchio would become a real boy, and his wish is granted by the Blue Fairy, who appears in the form of a hologram. She tells Pinocchio that he can become a real boy if he proves himself brave, truthful, and unselfish, and assigns Jiminy to be his conscience.
The next day, Geppetto sends Pinocchio to school, hoping that he will learn and make friends. However, on his way, Pinocchio is tricked by Honest John, a con artist fox, and his sidekick Gideon, a mute cat, who convince him to join Stromboli’s puppet show, where he becomes a star.
Pinocchio enjoys the fame and applause, but soon realizes that Stromboli is a cruel and greedy man who plans to keep him as a prisoner and sell him to the highest bidder. Pinocchio escapes with the help of the Blue Fairy, who warns him not to lie, as his nose will grow longer every time he does.
Pinocchio reunites with Geppetto, who is overjoyed to see him. However, the next day, Pinocchio is again lured by Honest John, who sells him to the Coachman, a sinister man who transports children to Pleasure Island, a place where they can do whatever they want without any rules or consequences.
Pinocchio befriends Lampwick, a rebellious boy who introduces him to the pleasures of smoking, drinking, gambling, and fighting. However, Pinocchio soon discovers that Pleasure Island is a trap, as the children who indulge in their vices are turned into donkeys and sold to work in the salt mines. Pinocchio manages to escape before he is fully transformed, but Lampwick is not so lucky.
Pinocchio returns home, only to find that Geppetto has gone missing. He learns from a letter that Geppetto went out to sea to look for him, but was swallowed by a giant whale named Monstro. Pinocchio decides to rescue him, and jumps into the ocean, followed by Jiminy.
They find Geppetto inside Monstro’s belly, along with Figaro and Cleo, who had stowed away on his boat. They devise a plan to make Monstro sneeze, and escape from his mouth. However, Monstro is enraged by their escape, and chases them to the shore. Pinocchio saves Geppetto from drowning, but is crushed by a falling mast.
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.
The film is a waste of time and money, and a disappointment for the audience. The film is a reminder that some stories are better left untouched, and that some things are better left to the imagination.
