AFI Fest 2022: Guillermo del Toro’s 'Pinocchio' Is Art With A Capital "A"
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio - (L-R) Pinocchio (voiced by Gregory Mann) and Gepetto (voiced by David Bradley). Cr: Netflix © 2022
“It took about 16 years to make this movie. And a good chunk of the solving of the problem was that it was very clear to me from the beginning that it was going to be about losing a child and gaining another.”
This is what Guillermo del Toro said when asked about the creation of this film after the Los Angeles premiere, and the values above aren’t just reflected in the film — they define it.
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio - (Center) Pinocchio (voiced by Gregory Mann). Cr: Netflix © 2022
It’s evident that this is more than a passion project for del Toro, but something he’s been set on making and has stopped at nothing to accomplish his goals.
The film is based on the book of the same name, written by Carlo Collodi, and heavily expands upon the tale you know and have seen before. To be clear, this is a very different Pinocchio story than you’re used to. It not only brings depth to characters that haven’t had it before but creates an interesting plot that is bounds ahead of its predecessors.
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio - (Pictured) Pinocchio (voiced by Gregory Mann). Cr: Netflix © 2022
The animation quality is outstanding, and to know that through stop-motion, every individual frame was shot by hand demonstrates the care that was put into it. Not only is the quality impressive, but the amount of thought put into each shot is mind-boggling.
Truthfully, it’s noticeable how much work was put into this during the 1000+ days of shooting. Every visual is beautiful, and the stop-motion pairs incredibly well with what the animators created digitally. When asked about this, del Toro said,
“If we animate the ordinary, we will have the extraordinary.”
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio - (L-R) Pinocchio (voiced by Gregory Mann) and Count Volpe (voiced by Christoph Waltz). Cr: Netflix © 2022
The array of stars that appear throughout the film is stunning, with many being unrecognizable. For me, though, the highlight was Ewan McGregor’s Sebastian J. Cricket (Jiminy Cricket). McGregor had impeccable comedic timing and even orchestrated some of the most emotional moments of the film. Gregory Mann was the perfect Pinocchio, bringing charm, humor, and innocence to the character.
The film is filled with original songs, and while they’re performed well, many aren’t specifically memorable. But they work in their moments. The message of the film is touching and plays off very well given the context of each scene.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio - Special Photography. Cr: Netflix © 2022
There are slight issues in pacing, as certain moments feel dragged out while other sequences are rushed, but in the time allotted, everything works out nicely.
And credit where credit’s due, while del Toro’s name is in the title and on the poster, this is an inclusive cast and crew. The animators are featured in the credits just as prominently as the actors.
In summary, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is an emotionally driven film that brings out the best in its characters while evolving a classic tale into a world that excites and will evolve. The animation is incredible, and the emotions are raw. This is a film that is for everyone, so leave no one out when watching it.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio comes to select theaters on November 9 and hits Netflix on December 9.
