Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio Offers Everything New We Needed

Disney has done the perfect job of dividing fans in recent years. Some people can’t get enough of the live-action remakes and want everything and more from the rebooted franchises. Others? They think the live-action movies have had their day and can’t wait for them to leave as fast as they arrived.

While Disney already gave us a look at ‘Pinocchio’ in 2022, Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Pinocchio’ offers everything new we needed. Not only is it a significant step up from the Disney offering from earlier in the year, but del Toro’s addition is also the darker take on the story that so many have longed for over the years.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio takes a darker look at the story

Having the idea for ‘Pinocchio’ in his mind for years might mean it’s little surprise that Guillermo del Toro has pumped so much time and effort into the final project. Anyone who has ever seen the filmmaker at work might also know how much del Toro likes to add his own spin on things, even if it means taking a darker turn from the stories we’re so used to seeing. ‘Pinocchio’ is nothing like the Disney fairytale we have seen before. Instead, it’s closer to the original novel - ‘The Adventures of Pinocchio’ - which follows the life of Geppetto (voiced by David Bradley), Pinocchio (voiced by Gregory Mann), and Sebastian J. Cricket (voiced by Ewan McGregor.) It even takes us back to Italy in the 1930s, with the backdrop of fascism and war adding to the darkness of the tale.

The stop-motion animation of the movie helps it to stand out

It’s far more than the dark themes of the story that help Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Pinocchio’ stand out from the crowd. The fact it’s stop-motion animation is yet another green tick, with the craftsmanship and effort that went into making the movie already making it a film for the ages. Even our favorite wooden boy looks nothing like those we have seen before. Instead of a feel-good story, Geppetto carves Pinocchio out of wood in a drink-fueled rage as he struggles to come to terms with losing his son. This Pinocchio is left with nails sticking out of every direction and a missing ear, but it’s still tough not to fall in love with del Toro’s version of the character.

Pinocchio creates an unofficial trilogy of del Toro’s former work

As if the animation and story weren’t enough to hint that Guillermo del Toro was all over this version of ‘Pinocchio,’ perhaps the visuals might give things away. Instead of passing to the other side or bouncing right back, this version of ‘Pinocchio’ is sent to a form of limbo whenever anything happens, eventually learning that he can’t lose his life. This story unfolds around the Easter eggs of del Toro’s former work, such as the gothic horror ‘The Devil’s Backbone’ and the fantasy horror ‘Pan’s Labyrinth. With ‘Pinocchio’ making an unofficial trilogy. After all, they’re all about children set during war, with even the wooden boy getting trained for battle at various points in the latest movie.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is a mix of upbeat and moving moments

You wouldn’t be alone in thinking that ‘Pinocchio’ has always been a children’s film and wondering if this is all a bit deep and heavy for a view. Sure, Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Pinocchio’ has a darker undertone, but there are still plenty of more upbeat moments throughout it all. After all, the mischief that comes from Pinocchio himself and the light-hearted spots dotted throughout help to lift the mood, with this likely being the closest thing to a children’s movie we will ever get from del Toro.

If you want a movie that offers substance and style, you might have found your answer. Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Pinocchio’ offers everything new we needed from the film, with the darker stories offering something fresh on a tale that has already been told time and time again.