Pinocchio

This is a largely faithful, visually neat adaptation of Collodi's classic of children's literature. Talented director Matteo Garrone (Il Racconto dei Racconti, Dogman, L'Imbalsamatore) keeps the darker side of his imagination at bay and correctly puts his visual talent in service of the story.

Performances are solid; Roberto Benigni is much better as Geppetto - warm, paternal, lovably awkward - than he was as Pinocchio. Even the kids are fine, with Ielapi as the titular protagonist, the naive, stubborn but well-meaning Pinocchio, Baldari Calabria as the quietly mischievous young fairy and Di Domenicantonio as toxic friend Lucignolo.

Special mention to the excellent make-up and costumes.

7,5/10

I've just been to see this film. Had no expectations, as I never usually read reviews before going to a film. This was absolutely charming. It's certainly not Disney, thank god. I'm over 60 and it reminded me of the German "singing ringing tree" which was aired in the UK in the 60s. Me and my siblings loved it. It was weird and funky, and odd and spooky, all the things kids love. Well 60s kids. And this film took me back to the wonder of fantasy and how it sparks the imagination. Yes it's dubbed. So what. That kind of adds to the weirdness of it, and it's charm. Go and see it. It's too good for kids.

A master director has created a lovely 21st century movie of the 140 year-old Italian book The Adventures of Pinocchio. This version is closer to the book in all its grim. Sometimes too grim, but always very Italian. The grim story is beautifully told. The Italian landscape is a drop dead gorgeous character in the story.

Geppetto (Roberto Benigni) is a struggling woodworker. After a traveling caravan arrives in town with puppets, he gets a magical piece of wood and carves Pinocchio who comes to life. It's an adaptation of the classic Italian children's novel. It has a magical darkness and a reality to the surreal world. The problem is that I've never liked Pinocchio. He's an idiot and an annoying brat. He never does what Geppetto wants. He keeps getting tricked by the most obvious scams. He's an infuriating character. I appreciate the style and the faithfulness of this adaptation. I still don't like Pinocchio. I kept wondering if a movie about Geppetto would be more compelling. I'm not fully sold with Benigni's comedic take on Geppetto but I would have liked to give it a try for the whole movie. Overall, this is an interesting exercise but I'm not fully engaged.

A reasonably faithful and entertaining replica of the Italian classic tale with all its metaphorical interpretations chiselled through its grain and preserved with contemporary technological digital primer.