Magnifico. A thoroughly imaginative feature with passion in every scene, every frame. This film is what stepping into fantasy feels like. The kind of inspiring creativity we only see fully realized from filmmakers like del Toro, Miyazaki, and Selick.
Yet what elevates this reimagining is not the aesthetic alone, but in how its thematic focus is firmly centered on Gepetto's loss, loneliness, and the meaning of life, death, & life after death. It hovers over some profound and difficult ideas, such as coming to grips with the fact that no one of us will be here forever. It gets pretty dark, and the ending rivals Toy Story 3 in the way it pulls on the strings of emotional devastation.
The film takes place in Mussolini's WWII Italy, presenting a simplified war is good/bad morality tale, while simultaneously digging into deeper themes that contrast the effects a father's expectations can have on a young boy. There is one segment that doesn't quite fit seamlessly into the flow of what is otherwise an intimate story about Geppetto and his son. However, the strong thematic arc still connects everything well. For instance, Gepetto's real son's name in the film is Carlo, which is the same name as the original author of Pinocchio-a beautiful gesture from del Toro that, after countless iterations of the story, he intends to finally bring the "real" Pinocchio back to life for audiences around the world.
The score by Alexandre Desplat has some memorable tunes composed fittingly in the Minor key, with heartfelt lyrics all co-written by Guillermo del Toro himself. He dedicates the film to his parents, and has said that his mother was his main inspiration to make the film. Sadly, she passed away just a month before the film's premiere. It is just apparent with each stop-motion frame that this is an earnest and intimate work from the wooden pine center of del Toro's heart.
Personally, this is the best animated film I've seen in years. I hope it wins Best Animated Film and gets a Best Picture nom. It drops on Netflix this weekend so clear a few hours from your schedule to watch.
Yet what elevates this reimagining is not the aesthetic alone, but in how its thematic focus is firmly centered on Gepetto's loss, loneliness, and the meaning of life, death, & life after death. It hovers over some profound and difficult ideas, such as coming to grips with the fact that no one of us will be here forever. It gets pretty dark, and the ending rivals Toy Story 3 in the way it pulls on the strings of emotional devastation.
The film takes place in Mussolini's WWII Italy, presenting a simplified war is good/bad morality tale, while simultaneously digging into deeper themes that contrast the effects a father's expectations can have on a young boy. There is one segment that doesn't quite fit seamlessly into the flow of what is otherwise an intimate story about Geppetto and his son. However, the strong thematic arc still connects everything well. For instance, Gepetto's real son's name in the film is Carlo, which is the same name as the original author of Pinocchio-a beautiful gesture from del Toro that, after countless iterations of the story, he intends to finally bring the "real" Pinocchio back to life for audiences around the world.
The score by Alexandre Desplat has some memorable tunes composed fittingly in the Minor key, with heartfelt lyrics all co-written by Guillermo del Toro himself. He dedicates the film to his parents, and has said that his mother was his main inspiration to make the film. Sadly, she passed away just a month before the film's premiere. It is just apparent with each stop-motion frame that this is an earnest and intimate work from the wooden pine center of del Toro's heart.
Personally, this is the best animated film I've seen in years. I hope it wins Best Animated Film and gets a Best Picture nom. It drops on Netflix this weekend so clear a few hours from your schedule to watch.