REVIEW: GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PINOCCHIO

4/5

No Strings Attached.

117 Mins. Starring: Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann, Burn Gorman, Ron Perlman, John Turturro, Finn Wolfhard, Cate Blanchett, Tim Blake Nelson, Christoph Waltz & Tilda Swinton. Director: Guillermo del Toro & Mark Gustafson. 

When you wish upon a stop-motion star, your wildest dreams couldn't even imagine this. Pinocchio may have grown up in the sanded grooves of a small Italian village in Tuscany, but Carlo Collodi's character creation has even made it to the Mickey Magic Kingdom of Disneyland for his timeless adventures. A chip off the old block, many movies have been carved in this pointed nose protagonist's image since his 1883 storybook beginning. There was the first, live-action movie of the silent Italian movie of 1911. The lost one of 1936. And of course Disney's iconic 1940s animation, a tale as old as time. Since then the boy with a nose for lying has appeared in so many movies, Marvel Comics and the 'Shrek' series. Most recently in 2002 and 2012. His career as a character is worth its own documentary movie. But now in 2020, he's in not one, but two mainstream movies. The first came this September in Disney +'s live-action remake starring Tom Hanks, shouting "you are a real boy" to the toy. And now it's time for 'Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio'. Splinter splitting your nose for animated tricks down the middle. 

Netflix really have the deals of the fall, under your tree. They're about to open up a 'Glass Onion' with 'Knives Out' mastermind Rian Johnson, but before that the streaming service continues their story with Oscar winning 'The Shape Of Water' director Guillermo del Toro, fresh off his 'Nightmare Alley' Academy Award nominations. Not to mention his gothic horror Halloween special anthology series the 'Cabinet Of Curiosities', opening up even more mesmerizing moments from the wooden chamber. All as in mere months, del Toro confirms himself as not only one of the world’s best creative directors, but also the most versatile. Here, Guillermo's great stop-motion animation classic can even stop Hanks in his tracks. With 'Fantastic Fox' cunning, this is your new 'Nightmare Before Christmas' classic of dark delights for the holidays. Time to polish that Oscar with a sealant like Will Ferrell's gun on 'The Other Guys'. It's worth dropping in a thank-you note to patient, cinematic genius and a labor of love for the craft. 

This musical fantasy film with its own original and outstanding numbers also marks the feature film directorial debut of Mark Gustafson, co-headlining this piece. Based and bonded to Gris Grimly's 2002 novel version of 'The Adventures Of Pinocchio', this is a genuine children's story. Truth be told, no twig. Reimagining the story in 1930's Fascist Italy to devastatingly good effect. Jiminy Crickets, there's heart behind this wood that's anything but hollow and the nuanced, nostalgic narration of 'Obi-Wan' Ewan McGregor as everyone's favourite grasshopper in a top hat. 

Yep, the big guns and friends of the Del Toro's are brought out for the vocal section...you've got to love the acoustics. Young Gregory Mann is the voice of the unforgettable Pinocchio and the beloved, tragic Carlo who came before him. Just finding another (just kidding, that's a reference), 'Game Of Thrones' and 'Harry Potter' legend David Bradley (heartbreaking in 'Harry Brown' with Michael Caine) follows his Annie Award-winning Best Voice in del Toro and 'Netflix's' 'Tales Of Arcadia' animation as the bruised and wood burnt soul of master woodcarver Geppetto. Hallowed and hollowed out in heartbreak. 

'The Dark Knight Rises' and 'Pacific Rim' star Burn Gorman is perfect as the Priest of this piece. But it's the unmistakable voice of 'Hellboy' himself, Ron Perlman as Podestà and the repressed fire of his Candlewick son, coming of age played by Finn Wolfhard of 'Stranger Things' who really strike a chord. Figure in John Turturro's good doctor, frequent collaborator to the Guillermo congregation Tim Blake Nelson (fresh out of the 'Cabinet Of Curiosity') as a flock of rabbits and icons like Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton as Spazzatura (hearing Blanchett shriek around in monkey business is the best thing since we saw her as Bob Dylan...but trust me, she's there) and the Wood Sprite respectively and there's magic everywhere, for everyone. From the animation to the narration. But it's 'Inglourious Basterds' and 'Django Unchained' Oscar darling Christoph Waltz who steals the show as the silver tongued devil of Count Volpe. The puppetmaster who is an amazing amalgamation of the sly fox and the original exploitative ringmaster for the greatest show, man. From the circus, to war and so much more meaning, this Moby Dick big 'Pinocchio' may just be the best yet. Guillermo del Toro knows best, and this boy is as real as it gets. There are no strings on this. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Pinocchio (Disney, 2020)', 'Pinocchio (1940)', 'Guillermo Del Toro's Cabinet Of Curiosities'.