Pinocchio

Pinocchio (1940)

Supervision Directed by Ben Sharpsteen and Hamilton Luske

Sequencing Directed by William Roberts, Norman Ferguson, Jack Kinney, Wilfred Jackson, and T. Hee

Written by Ted Sears, Otto Englander, Webb Smith, William Cottrell, Joseph Sabo, Erdman Penner, and Aurelius Battaglia

THE ANIMATION

Pinocchio is to this day regarded by many as the crowning achievement of Disney, and the animation is surely one of the reasons. It's plain to see that the crew behind Snow White did not get complacent after that huge success; this movie really pushed the envelope on what animated storytelling could do, and boy does it show. The work of Frank Thomas in animating the puppet Pinocchio as Geppetto waltzes him about his workshop (and that great shot of Pinocchio trotting along in the reflection of Cleo's bowl); the indomitable presence of the characters of Stromboli and Monstro; Lampwick turning into a donkey (a horrifying sequence); the shots of Pinocchio's village; the ocean where he goes to search for his father... this was all a marvel then and it still astounds today.

THE HEROES

Pinocchio was a character that was hard for the team to bring to life when production of the film first started; they had to capture his rambunctiousness, innocence, nativity, and malleability while still making him someone the audience could sympathize, and even more importantly, empathize with... and they did. No doubt in part of Pinoke's VA, Dickie Jones, the character really feels like a good-hearted youth who, when he does act out, does so because he simply doesn't know any better. Pinoke is a relatively static character -- he's intrinsically well mannered and likable -- but the way he responds to the temptations he faces ultimately make him a very successful primary for this morality tale.

His conscience, Jiminy Cricket, is a Disney classic -- a character who is quick with a sarcastic quick and an imperfect rebuttal (always a source of comedic irony since he's supposed to be Pinoke's upstanding moral guide). His occasional cynicism and arguably annoying quips are compensated for by his sincerity and charming presence. 

THE SIDE CHARACTERS

Geppetto, Cleo, and Figaro are three of Disney’s most endearing characters ever and one of my favorite Disney families—they never fail to be an utter delight. Geppetto always provides laughs with his consistently jocular personality and absent minded reactions (“Because you’re dead, Pinocchio.” “No! No, I’m not.” “Yes. Yes you are, now lie down.”). Cleo is cute as a button and Figaro’s bratty disposition and jealousy of Pinocchio juxtaposed with his deceivingly adorable design is great. The Blue Fairy is also one of the most memorable Disney creations; she isn’t in the film long, but she literally lights up the screen when she is. Her absolutely enchanting voice and beautiful design always entranced me when I was little, and even now you have to admit that she has a knack for making you smitten (this can likely also be attributed to her super-realistic design compared to the other characters; a wise creative decision). 

THE VILLAINS

Y’know something I love about this movie? The villains get away scot-free—all of them (well, Monstro gets his face caved in, but maybe he swam away with only a scratch). While this was likely something left in due to the pacing of the film (or maybe just a deliberate result of the story’s episodic structure), it resonates as a testament to the film’s theme of straying away from temptation all the same—the evils of the world never go away forever; they’re always waiting around the corner waiting for us to slip up, and they rarely face the justice they deserve. And boy do the bad guys here deserve some. Each one more memorable than the last—Honest John and Gideon, Stromboli, the Coachman (a seriously underrated Disney villain, and a personal favorite), Lampwick, and Monstro—these are some of Disney’s best.

THE MUSIC

One of Disney’s absolute best (Hmm… that sounds familiar), but I suppose that goes without saying; after all, this is where the theme song of the entire Disney corporation came from (“When You Wish Upon a Star”, coincidentally written by Ned Washington, who won an Academy Award for the song, and once again for High Noon’s “Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin’”—another one of my favorite films). Seriously though, this movie set the bar not just for Disney, but for countless films to follow—this is one of the best film scores ever. The songs are fantastic, the creativity that went into the music (the intricate clockwork creating music?) was genius… this music takes me back to my childhood every time I hear it—but trust me, nostalgia is far from all that this soundtrack has going for it.

The Best: "When You Wish Upon a Star" (of course)
The Worst: "Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee"

THE PLOT

Geppetto is an old artisan who has brought joy to countless people through his creation of toys, clocks, and puppets. However, more than anything in the world, Geppetto wishes to have a young boy of his own to raise and love. One night when he makes this wish known to a star, the Blue Fairy visits his woodshop and gives life to his latest creation, a puppet boy named Pinocchio. However, the Blue Fairy only gives the puppet life—she does not make it a complete living child. In order for the process to be completed, it’s up to Pinocchio to learn between right and wrong and prove himself a good boy before he can become real. Aided by his assigned conscience, a cricket named Jiminy, Pinocchio faces several temptations while learning what it means to be “brave, truthful, and unselfish”.

There is good reason why this film resonates with so many people to this very day—everyone can relate to trying to be the best we can be despite the temptations to do wrong. And while the difference between what is right and wrong isn’t as simple to devise as it is in a Disney picture, watching Pinocchio live the early days of his life in an almost episodic manner makes the experience all the more visceral for us as an audience. Despite the movie only taking place over a couple of days, the way the story is paced makes it feel much longer than that, and consequently Pinocchio’s learning experience feels more organic (though admittedly the film relies a bit on deus ex machinas via the Blue Fairy to help him out).

This is one of the most heartful stories to come out of Walt Disney Animation Studios. It’s a story that reaches into the core of even the most cynical of viewers and drags out that hope in everyone that if you wish (and work) hard enough that your greatest aspirations will come true. Even if this is only an escapist fantasy, it’s one that warms your heart to behold, and revives your hope in wishes no matter how many times life tries to burn it out.  

Total Score: 29/30 = 97% = A