"Pinocchio" is the dream project of Oscar-winning Mexican director Guillermo del Toro ("The Shape of Water", "Pan's Labyrinth").
For more than a decade he has been developing it and trying to get financing for its production.
Now, thanks to the streaming giant Netflix that provided him with the budget and the necessary means, his ambitious plan is finally coming to fruition.
Although the world didn't really need another version of the famous children's book, written by Carlo Collodi (just recently we got another and unnecessary Disney remake), you should really watch it.
This is an elaborate, exciting, beautiful and unique animated film, made with the stop-motion technique.
It has great songs, a magical atmosphere and a lot of heart and soul.
It may be intended for children, but adults can (and should) also find interest and pleasure in it.
The screenplay, which del Toro wrote together with Patrick McHale, does not stick to the original story but certainly remains true to its spirit.
Meanwhile, all the hallmarks of the monster-loving Mexican creator (who directed the film together with Mark Gustafsson) are also present here.
The plot mostly takes place in Fascist Italy.
Death is present from almost the first moment, and plays an important role throughout (as does the church).
And the tone is much darker than you'd expect it to be in a movie aimed at children.
from the movie.
Much darker than you'd expect, photo: Netflix
The current version opens with a terrible tragedy: Geppetto the carpenter (voiced by David Bradley) loses his beloved son Carlo when a stray shell lands on their pastoral village during the First World War.
Poor Geppetto sinks into depression and despair, and one night, while particularly drunk and heartbroken, he carves a substitute out of wood for himself.
From there, the blue fairy (Tilda Swinton) drops by for a nightly visit and gives the doll life.
You just think you know how the story goes on from here.
The dashing young Gregory Mann, who dubs the voice of the mischievous Pinocchio (as well as the voice of Carlo), does an excellent job in the title role, and next to him you can find Ewan McGregor as the faithful and amusing cricket who sits in the narrator's slot;
Ron Perlman ("Hellboy"), as a representative of the fascist party who tries to recruit Pinocchio to its ranks;
and Christoph Waltz ("Dishonorable Bastards"), who enjoys every moment as the evil carnival owner, who seeks to make the self-dancing doll the main attraction of his traveling show.
"Pinocchio" is a wonderful, challenging and uncompromising children's film, which gently and intelligently deals with the biggest and heaviest issues of human existence.
It touches the heart, it is beautifully designed, it bursts with creativity.
And it doesn't fade from memory a moment after it ends.
Finally there is something to watch on Netflix.
Score: 10
were we wrong
We will fix it!
If you found an error in the article, we would appreciate it if you shared it with us