Product: Pinocchio
Rating: 5.0
The Magic of Disney Comes Alive
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.