Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grieving dad gets drunk, carves a son out of a tree, and then a cricket and a blue fairy get involved in some Mussolini-era drama… it’s basically a very weird Italian fever dream.

🍿 Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Geppetto’s Loss and Pinocchio’s Creation

Set in Italy during World War I, the film opens with Geppetto, a skilled woodcarver, grieving the loss of his son Carlo. After years of sorrow, and during a drunken stupor, Geppetto impulsively carves a puppet from a pine tree that grew from Carlo’s grave, hoping to fill the void in his heart. The Wood Sprite, a mystical being, brings the puppet to life, naming him Pinocchio.

Pinocchio’s Adventures and Immortality

Pinocchio, initially naive and mischievous, struggles to understand the world and his place in it. Sebastian J. Cricket, a philosophical cricket living in the pine tree, becomes his reluctant guide. Pinocchio’s adventures lead him to a traveling circus run by Count Volpe, where he experiences exploitation and learns about the darker aspects of human nature.

Confronting Fascism and Mortality

The backdrop of Mussolini’s fascist Italy adds a layer of political commentary. Pinocchio’s rebellious nature clashes with the rigid expectations of the regime. He repeatedly dies and returns to life, each time spending longer in the afterlife with Death, who explains his immortality and its consequences. Pinocchio ultimately learns about sacrifice, love, and the preciousness of mortal life.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Pinocchio (Gregory Mann): A wooden boy brought to life by magic, who learns about life and what it means to be human against the backdrop of Fascist Italy.
• Geppetto (David Bradley): A grieving woodcarver whose wish brings Pinocchio to life, giving him a second chance at fatherhood.
• Cricket (Ewan McGregor): A cricket who acts as Pinocchio’s conscience, guiding him on his journey to becoming a good boy.
• Count Volpe (Christoph Waltz): A manipulative showman who exploits Pinocchio for his own personal gain.
• Candlewick (Finn Wolfhard): The Podesta’s son who befriends Pinocchio at the training camp, struggling to live up to his father’s expectations.
• Wood Sprite/Death (Tilda Swinton): A mystical being who gifts Pinocchio life and later reveals the consequences of his immortality as Death.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Geppetto: “You did bring me joy. Terrible, terrible joy.” – Geppetto expresses his complex feelings towards Pinocchio, acknowledging the joy he brings despite the hardships.
• Death: “Life is precious because it is brief.” – Death explains to Pinocchio the value of mortality, highlighting its importance to life’s meaning.
• Pinocchio: “Why do you hate me, Papa?” – Pinocchio asks Geppetto why Geppetto has a hard time loving him, after being rejected and misunderstood.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $35,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $109,846

💥 Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this expecting something a little spooky, but what I got was so much more. The movie hit hard. When Geppetto loses his son and you see the grief… that got me. The animation style is amazing, and Gregory Mann’s voice for Pinocchio is just perfect. I cried, I laughed, and I left feeling like I watched something truly special.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Guillermo del Toro’s other works”
  • “Adults and older teens interested in darker fairytales”
  • “Animation enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers interested in films with political and historical themes”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Death of a child”
  • “War violence”
  • “Fascist imagery”
  • “Alcohol abuse”
  • “Grief”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Del Toro’s Pinocchio is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant reimagining of a classic tale. The stop-motion animation is a marvel, and the story balances darkness with moments of genuine heart. A must-see for animation fans and those seeking a deeper, more thought-provoking Pinocchio story.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “This is not your average children’s movie. Del Toro infuses Pinocchio with a dark, gothic sensibility that’s both beautiful and unsettling. It tackles mature themes with surprising nuance, making it a rewarding experience for adult viewers while still retaining elements of classic fairy tales.
• Empire: “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is a bold and visually arresting stop-motion fairytale, darker and more complex than Disney’s version, but no less enchanting. It dives into heavy themes with charm, making you think while also giving you some eye candy.

Audience Reactions

The stop-motion animation is breathtaking and gives the film a unique, handcrafted feel that’s missing in modern animation.: Viewers loved the artistic and innovative stop-motion animation, finding it visually captivating and unique.

The darker themes and mature storytelling surprised and resonated with many viewers, setting it apart from other Pinocchio adaptations.: Fans appreciated the film’s willingness to tackle difficult subjects like death, war, and fascism, making it more than just a children’s story.

Overall Consensus: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is a critically acclaimed stop-motion masterpiece that offers a darker, more mature take on the classic story, praised for its stunning visuals, emotional depth, and thought-provoking themes.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Animated Feature Film)- 2023
2. Golden Globe Award (Best Motion Picture – Animated)- 2023
3. BAFTA Award (Best Animated Film)- 2023

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This is the longest stop-motion animated film ever made.”
• “Guillermo del Toro co-wrote the lyrics to the songs in the movie.”
• “The film is dedicated to Guillermo del Toro’s parents.”

🖥️ How to Watch Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio?

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is available for streaming on Netflix. Unfortunately, it is not currently available to rent or purchase on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, you might like these similar films:

• Coraline (2009): Stop-motion animation with dark themes and a focus on a child’s journey through a fantastical and slightly disturbing world, characteristic of Guillermo del Toro’s style.
• Pan’s Labyrinth (2006): Also directed by Guillermo del Toro, it blends dark fantasy with historical context (WWII-era Spain) and explores themes of innocence, obedience, and rebellion against oppressive forces.
• Frankenweenie (2012): Stop-motion animation with dark tones and a narrative centered on life and death and what it means to be alive. This also a puppet that gains life.
• Pinocchio (1940): The classic animated adaptation of the same story, offering a point of comparison for how the themes and characters have been interpreted across different eras.

🛒 Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio Related Products

• Guillermo del Toro: The Signature Collection [Blu-ray]: This Blu-ray collection brings together some of Guillermo del Toro’s best films. A must-have for fans to dive deeper into his creative world.
• The Art of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio: A beautifully illustrated behind-the-scenes look at the making of the stop-motion film, featuring concept art, character designs, and insights from the filmmakers.
• Pinocchio Wooden Puppet Kit: Craft your own Pinocchio! This unique item lets you create your own version of the wooden puppet.
• Pinocchio T-Shirt – ‘I’m a Real Boy!’: Show your love for the film with this unique and stylish t-shirt featuring a memorable quote from the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Ciao Papa” – performed by Alexandre Desplat
• “My Son” – performed by Alexandre Desplat ft. David Bradley
• “Everything Is New to Me” – performed by Alexandre Desplat ft. Gregory Mann and Ewan McGregor

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Pinocchio Stop Motion Before and After

Have you ever wondered how they bring stop-motion animation to life? This video gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the process, showing us how a single shot in Pinocchio was created. It’s absolutely mind-boggling to see the level of detail and craftsmanship that goes into making these movies!

How Netflix’s ‘Pinocchio’ Innovated Stop-Motion Animation | Movies Insider | Insider

If you’re a fan of stop-motion animation or just interested in how movies are made, this video is a must-watch. It takes us behind the scenes of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio and shows us how they used cutting-edge techniques to create the film’s stunning visuals.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio | Behind the Craft | Netflix

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is a stunning stop-motion animated film that’s not to be missed. This behind-the-scenes video gives us a glimpse into how the movie was made, and it’s truly fascinating to see the level of detail and craftsmanship that went into every frame.

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