Pinocchio

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant movie. Why no deluxe DVD?
Review: I saw this movie for the second time last night after a 30-or-so-year gap -- I first saw it when I was a real boy. When you're a kid you are affected strongly by a movie, and when you're an adult you see why. "Pinocchio" is not only touching and scary but a technical achievement on the order of the development of the A-bomb. Such amazingly detailed draftsmanship, such wit in the character movements! Like all the great pre-war Disney cartoons it's impressively -- impossibly -- executed but still looks "drawn," unlike the HAL-generated 3-D roboscopic video games the studio does now. You still get the sense of the magic of moving drawings.

Only one bonus feature included though -- the 1940 trailer. Worse, some Pleasure-Island jackass has tried to conceal this by giving it its own page: "Bonus Features." There are three of these. One is the trailer.

One is a promo for other Disney releases.

One is a "back" button.

There's a hypocrisy in a movie about honesty being packaged so sleazily that may not be suitable for younger children.

Rating:
Summary: Any real boy or girl will enjoy this; a true classic!
Review: The world was still marveling at the astonishing accomplishments the Disney stuido had made with 1937's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" when this second feature film, "Pinocchio" (and the third, "Fantasia"), came along in 1940. Quite like most of the other early classics and quite unlike some Disney efforts today, this one never grows old and will continue to endure forever.

The enchanting story of a little wooden puppet who wanted to become a real boy is here told with what is still stunning anamation and real, emotion-filled characters that will warm your heart. This will not only provide an enjoyable 88 minutes of entertainment but also some wonderful lessons -- lies grow and grow (here, literally); bravery and love always will conquer; do right instead of wrong; bad things happen to you when you do bad things and make bad choices; and, most of all, as Jimminy Cricket says, "Always let your concience be your guide."

The DVD itself only contains one bonus feature -- the original 1940 theatrical trailer -- and while many people are quite upset about this (and the fact that the VHS contains a new behind-the-scenes doccumentary whereas neither the rare OOP Limited Issue or current Gold Collection DVD has this), I myself think that the truly timeless animated classic that is the disc's centerpiece is reason enough to want to add this wonderful movie to your collection, regardless of the lack of DVD extras. But act quickly - the majestic Blue Fairy and her coworkers at Disney will work their magic once again on January 31, 2002 and discontinue any further printings of this timeless movie for approx. another ten years. So now is the time to make sure that you own all the magic and fun of this amazing animated feature for the next ten years -- and forever.

Rating:
Summary: Ooops - who let Goofy in the copy-room?
Review: Pinocchio is one of my favorite movies and my children love it as well. What a gift it was to get it on DVD! But upon putting it in the player today, found out that the Prince of Egypt was actually on it. The cover and holder showed Pinocchio. This was a very sad mistake by Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Rating:
Summary: The Magic of Disney Comes Alive
Review: The release of Disney's second full length animated film,
"Pinocchio", in 1940, catipulted both the career of Walt Disney, the man, and Walt Disney, the Corperation. Only World War Two hampered a more world wide success of the film, which did exceeding well in America.

"Pinocchio", which is narrated by Jiminy Cricket, making his first, but not last appearance, in a Disney film, tells the story of a lonely, old woodcarver, Geppetto, who longs for a son.
After creating a wooden marionette in that of a boy, Geppetto wishes the figure could be brought to life.

After Geppetto falls asleep, a blue fairy appears in the shop, and magically transforms Pinocchio the marionette, into Pinocchio the living wooden boy. He is not a real boy at this point, but he can think and act as one, and talk like one as well. The angel tells Pinocchio that for him to become a real little boy he must be brave, good, and to never tell a lie.

Geppetto is awakened. Entering his shop he discovers Pinocchio is alive. The very next day Pinocchio is sent off to school. Along the way he meets a fox who persuades him to join a puppet show run by an evil man, Stromboli, much to Jiminy Cricket's disapproval. Pinocchio is awestruck with the idea and goes on stage for this man. He sings "I've Got No Strings", while dancing around to the wild enthusiasm of the audience.

Stromboli, seeing how popular Pinocchio has become with the audience, becomes greedy, and kidnaps the wooden boy, locking him in a cage. As Jiminy is trying to free him, the angel appears before Pinocchio and asks what has happened. He invents a lie, and as he is telling it, his nose begins to grow. The angel explains that every time Pinocchio tells a lie, this is what is going to happen. After promising never to lie again, the angel restores his nose.

But it is not long before Pinocchio is led astray yet again. This time, he joins several other boys who are making their way to Pleasure Island, a place where little boys can endulge in everything that is bad, until their hearts are content. Such bad habits as drinking and smoking are among the "pleasures" these boys indulge themselves in. It is truly an evil place, in more ways than one. Pinocchio, and other boys are magically turning into jackasses, growing ears and tails characteristic of the beast.

Jiminy Cricket helps save Pinocchio from a fate worse than death, and they make it make to Geppetto's shop, only to be told by the blue angel that the man went to sea and was swallowed by a whale. She tells Pinocchio he is still alive, and he and Jiminy go in search of him. This bravery by Pinocchio is well acknowledged by the angel, and she decides to grant him a very special wish.

In many ways, "Pinocchio" is a warning to children that bad things can happen to little boys, and girls, who stray from the path of morality. Indeed, bad things can happen, albeit nothing so dipicted here. "Pinochio" has been considered, by critics, to be Disney's most terrifying animated film of all. In fact, many of the scenes will frighten younger viewers. However, for the older children, "Pinocchio" can be a warm and inspiring message to always do good, for the sake of good itself.

Rating:
Summary: Disney's Pinocchio Limited Issue DVD
Review: Good thing Pinocchio was not the 1st Disney Classic DVD that I bought (it's my 5th), because it would have completely overshadowed the other masterpieces that are in my DVD collection. Disney's 2nd film is a terrific viewing experience, in this 60th Anniversary THX Certified Limited Issue DVD. I hadn't seen Pinocchio in over a decade, so I was really looking forward to rediscovering the movie on the DVD format. Seeing it brought back a rush of great memories of the first times that I saw it, it was really nostalgic. The film is vibrant in it's great animation, and magical wonder that makes this movie appealing to any movie lover. Unfortunately, only Walt Disney could create such classics like this one. Yes, Disney has released some GREAT classics ("Lion King", "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty & The Beast") but they are not the same as the ones he worked on himself. The film also features one of the best: "When You Wish Upon A Star", a song that seems to have been inducted into American culture over the past 60 years.
The double Oscar winning Pinocchio remains one of Disney's greatest landmarks, and should be on the top of the list for those who want to collect these great films . Get this classic today!

Rating:
Summary: 5 Star Movie -- 3 Star DVD
Review: A timeless classic which can be apreciated over and over again by people of all ages. "Pinocchio", Disney's second full-length animated feature, is one of the best ever. "Pinocchio" is the tale of a wooden puppet who comes to life only to be tempted by good and evil. The moral dilemnas which tempt young Pinocchio seem relevant even by today's standards. The characters -- Jiminy Cricket, Geppetto, the evil Honest John and of course, Pinocchio -- are amongst Disney's most memorable. The title song "When You Wish Upon a Star" is one of the all-time classics. Although "Pinocchio" is geared toward a younger audience, some children may be frightened by Monstro the Whale and/or the the terrifying Pleasure Island Sequence. The only downside to "Pinocchio" is the DVD presentation itself. While the film transfer is great -- crisp, clear, vibrant colors -- my main gripe is the lack of extras. Apparently, Disney will be loading up the extras for its upcoming "Snow White" release. I just wish they'd do the same for not only "Pinocchio", but all of their animated classics. For the high price that Disney asks, you'd think we'd get a little more. However, this is just a minor gripe and overall, I'm pleased to own this animated classic. Highly recommended to anyone and everyone!

Rating:
Summary: lie
Review: This movie was a better Disney film and old. Its about this wooden puppet that comes alive and wants to become a real boy. (its not scary and not supposed to be), and he keeps lying. His nose grows, and if he ever wants to be a real boy, he better stop lying, and to tell the truth (just like any other disney film) he becomes a real boy with villians etc, trying to stop him.

Rating:
Summary: Cinema's greatest scene of horror
Review: The name Disney has always carried the stigma of wholesomeness, which all too often translates into fatuous and insipid "family entertainment," but the Pleasure Island segment of Pinocchio ranks among the supreme moments of horror in all of cinema - the loss of the self is so much more greusome than death. Worth having for that brilliant and ghastly scene alone.

Rating:
Summary: Timeless, even for a child of the '80s
Review: This might've been the very first Disney Animated Classic I ever saw in my life, and definitly the best of the "old" Disney animated fatures (Lion King is probably the best of the "new" ones). Those first few lyrics during the opening credits just give me the chills every time.

"When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are..."

Upon hearing that song, your mind goes PURE DISNEY. It's great. It's the same feeling you get when you ride Pirates of the Carribean ("THIS IS A CLASSIC!!"). I saw it many times as a kid, and then I didn't watch it for several years. The other day I decided to rent it, and watching it as a 19 year-old is alot different then watching it in the single-digit age years. Back then, I didn't pay as much attention to plot as I do now, and this movie has a great plot, even for adults, along with great visuals for the kids. If you haven't seen this version, go rent it or even buy it! You won't be disappointed in this great Disney Classic.

Rating:
Summary: Timeless Musical Fantasy
Review: Disney has restored this all-time classic to its original brilliance. The universal themes of love, family, friendship and good vs. evil make this educational and enjoyable. Yes, there are some quite scary scenes and evil is shown for what it is. However, just as in most fairy tales, good triumphs over evil in the end.

The story is told by Jiminy Cricket and the start of the movie is peaceful. He arrives at Geppetto's home where there are music boxes, toys, amazing clocks and a puppet who is just "all strings and joints." Geppetto is just painting on the finishing touches before he heads off to bed. The "cutest" black and white cat named Figaro adds warmth and amusement to the story. The sassy fish Cleo is a visual delight.

As the woodcarver drifts off to sleep, he says: "Wouldn't it be nice if he was a real boy?" He then sends Figaro to open the window and sees a wishing star. He makes a wish and while he sleeps, the Blue Fairy brings the Marionette Pinocchio to life. He then must learn to have a conscience, so it is decided that Jiminy Cricket will be his guide so he will know what is good and what is evil.

Pinocchio begins his journey to become a "real boy," but first he has to learn to be brave, loyal and honest. He is kidnapped after he joins a traveling show so he can become a famous actor, but escapes with the help of the Blue Fairy. She is the most beautiful animated fairy I have ever seen. Pinocchio then must learn to survive on his own. He takes a trip to Pleasure Island. This is a place where children go and they are allowed to play and never work, but the sinister truth is that they are all changed into donkeys and end up being shipped off to the salt mines. While he seems to keep making the wrong choices, once he realizes he will be turned into a donkey (his ears and tail already have grown), he goes back home. (Not unlike the prodigal son in a way, yet he is so young.)

When he arrives home, he finds cobwebs and the house has been empty for some time. A note arrives that tells him where he can find his father, so he jumps into the ocean to find Monstro the whale, where his father, Geppetto is trapped. Once under the sea, things get a bit scary and the whale is quite evil, not unlike other creatures from the sea in Disney's movies. Will he find his father? I won't give the ending away.

This is about the magical power of believing in your dreams and also will teach children to be moral and choose the good in life. I have to wonder if some politicians forgot to watch this movie as children. It teaches that lying is wrong and that a lie keeps growing and growing once it is told.

There are messages that reading is good and education is something you should strive for. The illiterate Red Fox is hilarious as he tries to read the ABC book upside down! The fox tries to tell Pinocchio that education is not good for him. I also noticed that because Pinocchio could not read (because he didn't go to school!), he could not read the note about his father and therefore, Jiminy Cricket had to read it for him. See a similar scene in "Mulan" where the lucky cricket in that movie types out the letter like a typewritter, which is also a beautifully animated movie with snow scenes similar to the wave scenes in this classic. I could see many details in this animation which have carried over into other movies.

There are many messages for adults in this movie....I doubt children will pick up on (Note the song that talks about "There are no strings on me!." This seems to be talking about our responsibility to others.)

As an adult, you will find them amusing and thought provoking. I had to laugh when I heard the Cricket say: "What does an actor want with a conscience anyway." That hit the mark! I would like to see more actors develop a conscience.

One of my favorite quotes by Jiminy Cricket is: "A cricket can't be too careful you know." It is laugh out loud funny when he says it.

The first part of the movie is hilarious, the middle is a big adventure and the ending is a wonderful surprise for children. There are a few politically incorrect items, but they are almost tongue-in-cheek and you have to think about when this movie was made!

If you have ever wished upon a star, or a falling star, this is for you! I agree, this is a masterpiece of animation....unlike anything you will find today. It is so detailed and moves at a pace where it is comfortable to watch. This is a thoughtful movie, unlike some of the more fast paced extravaganzas you see today.