Pinocchio (1940) is the 2nd ever Disney classic crafted for the big screen. I had never viewed this motion picture, and honestly, it wasn't anything like I imagined. However, this isn't a bad thing. I'll explain how strange this film seemed to me in a good way, so read here! <Spoilers may follow>
The story is venerable. An older man wishes his puppet would become a real boy.
I now know who is Jiminy Cricket. This little bug dances his away across the screen with fun songs and more. When people exclaim "Jiminy Cricket!", I understand the reference now. This is apart of his duties as "Pinocchio's conscience". While this critter undeniably left his mark on Disney history, I have a soft spot for Figaro the cat. Figaro has a lot of personality for a character who can't talk plus I really love cats.
As I mentioned earlier, this film is nothing as I imagined. Why would I imagine that kids would be kidnapped and turned into donkeys? Why would I imagine that Geppetto is swallowed by a monster whale and the duo of Pinocchio and Jiminy must save him? I guess that's why they worked for Disney, and I don't.
Seriously, the donkey-kid transformation is a bit unpleasant. It showcases all of the bad things a kid could do, but it is pushing favorable moral values. You're supposed to not want to be like these kids. In fact, that's the whole purpose of the film. Pinocchio has to learn what's right and wrong. That's all splendid. Nonetheless, the donkey thing is creepy especially the ones that can still talk. They're begging to go home, and the others are being sold as slaves to the mines. It's hardcore even for Disney who has a record for slaying parent characters in films.
"Jackass" is used a few times in this G rated flick. I guess it wasn't considered a curse work back in 1940. Lots of drinking, smoking, and fighting happen too, but that's meant to be a discouraging portrayal.
The scenes involving Monstro the whale was pretty intense. Gepetto kept talking about it being hopeless and talking about his death. It's an epic sequence.
Lots of villains come across poor Pinocchio. Throw in Honest John who sells Pinocchio not once but twice along with Stromboli who locks him up. Also, don't forget the coach driver. This guy scared Honest John, so that's saying something. These scoundrels don't see justice either. Each of them continues their evil work.
The point of everything above is that I had NO idea what Pinocchio was about. While I was surprised, it is quite exceptional. Walt Disney knew his craft and should be proud of this feature flick. My film rating is an A.
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