Pinocchio

I am so relieved to finally watch a movie that tells the story along the lines as it was originally told rather than rewriting it and watering it down or sugar coating it to make it more acceptable for those who can't take dark situations from a child's story. This movie, with its sets, not-so-mind-blowingly-overdone effects, and layout makes it a very charming retelling of the classic tale, though I have sadly seen the horribly done dubbed version and wish to see the subtitled one instead. People would be turned off seeing grown men playing as boys, especially by Roberto Benigni playing the titular character... however, once you watch it, you can see how well they play the part, giving the whole movie a rather different kind of charm where grownups play boys. I find it sad that this charming movie is bashed and even nominated a Razzie just because they only minded the dubbing or the fact it's nothing like the Disney movie. Give this movie a chance and watch it in a different way if you are truly an aficionado for the classic tale; you will then really love this film.

First thing I did was to erase from my head the version of the puppet that was created by the Disney factory. Then I had to struggle to admit old Roberto as a kid, and his wife as a fairy, but now I am old enough to admit both licenses, especially from someone who did something as silly as "La vita è bella". But most of all, I had to have a bigger, harder struggle to take off those stupid glasses we wear more often than not, to see everything through Hollywood eyes. And there I was: watching an Italian film about an Italian puppet, based on an Italian book, with an old Italian clown in the main role, done with a lot of affection, with great cinematography by Spinetti, and great art work by Donati, to whom the film is dedicated... I enjoyed it very much, and even if it is hated by almost anybody that saw it, I still would recommend it to my dearest friends.

nice. but not convincing. beautiful. but not enough. amusing. only for few sequences. touching. for good intentions. its sin - each viewer has his image of Pinocchio. and this image is very and deep different by Benigni work. his ambition to create the Collodi legendary character is far to be inspired. it is silly and too strange. because, unfortunately, it is not a joke but a movie , not a parody but adaptation of a great book. sure, poor Benigni is innocent. but his innocence, his desire to do a good work remains a failure. not for acting but for mixture between costumes, delicate images and his old humor recipes. he is saboteur of his labor. explanation - no measure of ingredients and the sparkles of ridiculous. but it is an exercise. not catastrophic. only very far by expectations.

I must admit I admired the set designs and the effects of this film, which were quite colorful and entertaining. The film started well and I settled in expecting to be amazed.

Then Pinocchio spoke, and I saw Roberto Benigni as the wooden puppet who longed to be a boy. WOW was that bad casting! I couldn't keep track of the amount of times I winced in pain and rolled my eyes as Benigni, a middle-aged man, ran around like a spoiled brat spouting things many 3-year olds have outgrown. I must admit I wanted to make kindling of this puppet.

Worth seeing for the set pieces, costumes and effects. Too bad we can't edit out the parts with Pinocchio!

5 out of 10 (all 5 for the sets and costumes).

The Italian language version is gorgeous and very faithful to the wonderful book. People make too big a deal out of Roberto playing a boy. He's quite good in the role and far more restrained than anything else I've seen him in, except maybe Son of the Pink Panther, which was pretty dreadful. That we are so hung up on the age of a man playing a living puppet shows how much imagination we have lost and how much baggage we bring into a film. It's sad to me that my kids won't be watching the film, because they are too young to read subtitles and the English language version sounds awful. I thought this was great.