Product: Pinocchio
Rating: 5.0
My Favorite Classic Disney from Years Past
This movie is a beautifully-made masterpiece that, very unfortunately, seems to be overlooked sometimes because of other old Disney movies that were made around that time (like Snow White). However, of all the "old" Disney movies (made before the era of Eisner), this is the one that most hits the mark for me. Not only is it an interesting story with involving characters, but the overlooked soundtrack is also quite wonderful. "Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee" is an old favorite of mine, and not to mention "Little Wooden Head" is a catchy little tune. This is my favorite of the oldies-but-goodies because not only does it completely hit the mark, but it doesn't rely on the old cliche of "princess captured by evil stepmother and then saved later on by a nameless Prince Charming who has no personality whatsoever". Though some of those movies are good, like Snow White, some of them are dull like Cinderella, and this movie doesn't make you make that choice.Now I haven't always been a fan of this movie; this is more of a "grown-up" movie than many of the others that were made around that time. This is a darker tale than the likes of Snow White, and a more intense and involving one than movies like Cinderella. It also doesn't follow the oft-degraded Disney Formula, because there's no real cookie-cutter "bad guy". And since there's no real cookie-cutter bad guy, it makes it all the more interesting to see four or five villains make their entrances and exits, more like a real-life fairy tale than others. None of the villains "gets what he deserves", like in most Disney movies where they fall to their deaths.That isn't to say that the other Disney movies aren't good. That is, however, to say that this Disney movie was ahead of its time in its innovations in realistic story developments. Granted, the story itself isn't that realistic, but we all know the story, and can take it for granted. And I'm not saying that the film is COMPLETELY underrated either. Just about everybody's heard the song "When You Wish Upon A Star", and it truly is a wonderfully sweet tune.Speaking of which, Jiminy Cricket is a masterpiece of a character if there ever was one. And there are plenty of other great characters in this movie too: the old puppet master, Geppetto, who just wants a real boy; Cleo and Figaro, the domesticated fish and jealous cat; and of course many great villains, including Honest John, Stromboli, Lampwick, and of course Monstro, most of whom are also used for on-the-spot comic relief. But despite the comic relief, there are definitely some scenes that are too scary for the youngsters, including quite a few edgy scenes including the mad old puppeteer Stromboli. However, it's not ALL dark, which is good. There are some very fun, and some laugh-out-loud funny, scenes, both for the youngsters and for the adults.Overall, this truly is a great movie for anybody, but especially for those who have ever been through the struggle of being a real boy. :)