Pinocchio

Director Robert Zemeckis doesn't breathe much life into his Pinocchio adaptation. ... Pinocchio premieres Sept. 8 exclusively on Disney+. Pinocchio is Walt Disney ...

Assassin's Creed 15th Anniversary: Leap Into History celebrates fan's adventures in the series - From our first leap of faith with Altaïr in the original game, recruiting new members for our order with Ezio in Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, to building your own viking legend in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, there are so many moments that have made this series special in the hearts of players. Otherwise, it’s like watching someone literally turn the 1940 movie, original designs and all, into a computer-animated version of essentially the same thing. There’s the addition of a talking seagull, Sofia (Lorraine Bracco), and the young puppeteer Fabiana (Kyanne Lamaya), who works for Stromboli (Giuseppe Battiston) and befriends puppet Pinocchio when he’s kidnapped by her boss. Everything from Gepetto’s tiny pet companions, Cleo and Figaro, to the majority of the hedonistic Pleasure Island are part of the expansive digital canvas of zeros and ones. It’s still about a little boy puppet, Pinocchio (voiced by Ben Ainsworth), carved by the kind and lonely woodcarver, Gepetto (played by Tom Hanks). The result is a schizophrenic, bland watch that feels like a big-budget movie made only for 6- to 12-year-olds.

Disney's live-action CGI hybrid remake from Robert Zemeckis stars Tom Hanks as Geppetto. Read the Empire review.

Ultimately, it’s all a bit flat, and feels like an exercise. Guillermo del Toro’s darker, political take for Netflix is up next and, however that turns out, it’s been in the works for years and years and is very much a passion project. And a bit all over the shop, with an eclectic aesthetic — a Tom Hanks who is real, a CGI puppet that looks real, a CGI cat that doesn’t. [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://www.empireonline.com/people/joseph-gordon-levitt/) does a fun retread of the original Jiminy Cricket; Keegan-Michael Key is a lively version of the old Honest John; Cynthia Erivo is great but underused as the Blue Fairy. [original 1940 film](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/pinocchio-review/) is a quaint, twee affair. Yet it’s not a persuasive enough reason for the film to exist.

Not even Tom Hanks, back in top form after that Elvis performance, can save this live-action remake of the animated classic.

And for the most part, things shuffle along charmingly enough for a welcome but hardly necessary reimagining of Collodi’s text—at least until they really, really do not. But in Pinocchio, he feels behind the curve technologically for the first time, chasing the tail of other projects by transforming Monstro from a whale into a Syfy-worthy Sharktopus. And of course this review will not reveal what they are, but they make the difference between a misguided cover version and a dreadful reinvention. (For all Disney’s changes to the story, they at least preserve the conman team as an actual fox and cat, where most other adaptations use humans with bad wigs and prosthetic teeth.) Expecting the same kind of timelessness a second time, however, is mostly a futile exercise. But the studio does frequently—and mostly nicely—ask them not to reveal plot points that could be deemed “spoilers.” It’s a request you might not even think possible for, say, a mostly faithful remake of an animated film from 1940.

As a piece of technical filmmaking it brings the Disney story of Pinocchio to life impressively, but it could have given the story new life, ...

As a piece of technical filmmaking it brings the Disney story of Pinocchio to life impressively, but it could have given the story new life, and there it comes up short. In the end, the live-action Pinocchio is neither the best nor the worst of this particular corner of Disney's universe. Where the animated movie embraced the freedom of Pleasure Island, this version of Pinocchio finds himself there by chance, and he doesn’t really want to be. The change is significant as it largely impacts the themes in the story. Here Pinocchio does try a bit harder to listen, but circumstances are set against him in a way that results in the same ultimate fate. The original animated Pinocchio was only the second animated feature to come from the Walt Disney Studio, making it by far the oldest movie yet to get a live-action remake.

The classic story of 'Pinocchio' is coming to life in Disney's new live-action movie. So, who is voicing Pinocchio? Here's everything you need to know.

The new Pinocchio is inspired by the character’s look in the 1940 animated original movie. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth is the voice of Pinocchio in Disney’s live-action film. They have to be doing the line, acting the lines. In the 1940 animated movie, the character was voiced by Dick Jones. Pinocchio is getting the live-action treatment. As you watch the movie, you might be asking: who is voicing Pinocchio?

Tom Hanks might be the nicest man in Hollywood but that decency sometimes translates to a one-dimensional performance.

The standout is dancer and actor Kyanne Lamaya, who plays a character in Stromboli’s show. As a movie, this live action remake is neither. Pinocchio must learn to be brave, truthful and unselfish, as the Blue Fairy directed. His dithering is akin to a sketch comedy caricature. Geppetto is the kindest and worthiest character in fairytale history. Just as Pinocchio wasn’t a real boy to start, this wasn’t a real movie – and there’s almost no chance it learnt enough lessons to become one with a soul.

Tom Hanks, Cynthia Erivo, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Keegan-Michael Key, and Luke Evans star in Robert Zemeckis' live-action remake of the 1940 animated classic ...

It will be difficult to forget the image of Pinocchio staring at a pile of horse manure and touching it out of curiosity. (Coincidentally, his The Witches remake for HBO Max is the only other serious contender against Pinocchio for his worst film.) When Disney Plus first kicked off in 2019, one of its opening-day original films was [the Lady and the Tramp remake](https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2019/11/12/20961761/lady-and-the-tramp-review-disney-plus-remake), which is predictable, lifeless, and entirely unmemorable. Though the 1940 version of Pinocchio isn’t as aggressive and rowdy as his fellow boys on Pleasure Island, he’s perfectly willing to dive into bad behavior, aping his cigar-smoking pal Lampwick. Where Jiminy Cricket performs it as a quiet, telling moment in the original film, the 2022 Pinocchio truncates it and gives the shorter version to the Blue Fairy. It’s a gross image in a film that otherwise doesn’t add in scatalogical humor, a gag that isn’t in the original and has no purpose in the remake, and a weirdly unnecessary cost in a film that struggles to merge CG and live-action elements. The story’s outline will still be extremely recognizable to anyone with a passing familiarity with the animated film or Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinocchio. Because this is a modern film, though, apparently someone felt the film needed to scoff a bit at its own flights of fancy. Unfortunately, remakes of [Aladdin](https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/23/18637207/aladdin-film-review-disney-live-action-remake-will-smith-guy-ritchie-mena-massoud-naomi-scott), [The Lion King](https://www.polygon.com/2019/7/11/20690363/the-lion-king-2019-review), [Beauty and the Beast](https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/17/14962212/beauty-and-the-beast-review-remake-gay-lefou-bill-condon-controversy), and others had less room to stretch. These are answers to questions best left unasked — many of the small touches in the original Pinocchio are haunting because they defy explanation. Like the animated version, the straight-to-Disney Plus live-action remake tells the story of a wooden marionette (a CG creation voiced by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) brought to life by a magical Blue Fairy (Cynthia Erivo), who sends him on a journey to become fully human by exemplifying the traits of bravery, truthfulness, and selflessness. Songs such as “Give a Little Whistle” and “Little Wooden Head” have been jettisoned in favor of four lifeless new songs by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard. He also explains why he refuses to sell off his dead wife’s treasured cuckoo clocks — which feature characters like Rafiki and Simba, Roger Rabbit, and Sheriff Woody, which may go down as one of the most painful bits of corporate synergy in film history.

Like the titular puppet at its center, “Pinocchio” lingers in an existential purgatory. The latest live-action remake of an animated Disney classic occupies ...

As always, the moral of the story is the importance of being honest. The Blue Fairy whooshes into the workshop and, with a sprinkling of magic dust, tells Pinocchio (voiced by So yes, you get “When You Wish Upon a Star” (which powerhouse [Cynthia Erivo](/cast-and-crew/cynthia-erivo) now sings as the Blue Fairy), but you also get little meta bits about education, parenting, and the perils of fame. Just as the original “Pinocchio” was groundbreaking in its artistic complexity, Zemeckis has always pushed the possibilities of animation and visual effects, from the dazzling hybrid of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” to his pioneering use of motion capture in “ [The Polar Express](/reviews/the-polar-express-2004).” (And, thankfully, technology has evolved since 2004 to keep human characters from looking so terrifyingly rubbery.) This is especially true toward the end of the perky puppet’s journey when he ends up in the mouth of a ferocious sea monster. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves, and clearly need the sunny narration of Jiminy Cricket (

New movies streaming or in theaters this weekend: Tom Hanks stars in a new "Pinocchio," while "Thor: Love and Thunder" arrives on Disney+.

[Colonel Tom Parker](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/06/21/elvis-review-austin-butler-rules-king-over-musical-mess/7652227001/) in "Elvis," Hanks is back in ["America's Dad"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2020/03/16/tom-hanks-10-essential-roles-coronavirus-crisis/5056649002/) mode as kindly Italian woodcarver Geppetto in a decent revamp of the 1940 cartoon. [Tom Hanks](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/06/26/tom-hanks-colonel-tom-parker-favorite-elvis-song/7688237001/), while the Mouse House also releases a bonkers horror movie probably not for kids, wooden or otherwise. In director Zach Cregger's head-scrambling chiller, a researcher (Georgina Campbell) rents an Airbnb in suburban Detroit and finds it's been double-booked when she meets a strangely polite guy (Bill Skarsgård) already staying there. 15) The houseguests feel something's wrong but stick around instead of escaping, leading to an unbelievably brutal third act. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a so-so choice for Pinocchio's dapper insect conscience Jiminy Cricket, but as the Blue Fairy, [Cynthia Erivo](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/09/17/cynthia-erivo-debut-album-ch-1-vs-1-emmys-aretha-franklin-childrens-book-disney-role/8363326002/) sings a stellar "When You Wish Upon a Star" that dares you to stop the waterworks. [Where the Crawdads Sing](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2022/07/16/where-crawdads-sing-movie-biggest-changes-from-book/10037952002/)," an adaptation of the Delia Owens novel, is now streaming on [Apple TV](https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/where-the-crawdads-sing/umc.cmc.4jxbvck9zakqjsb34ccw09mub), [Vudu](https://www.vudu.com/content/movies/details/Where-the-Crawdads-Sing/2064554)and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/movies/details/Where_the_Crawdads_Sing?id=M1pP5Ex6sPA.P&hl=en_US&gl=US). Wilson and fellow Brit Tom Burke have a winning chemistry in this immersive, mature character study. [Marcel the Shell With Shoes On](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/06/25/marcel-shell-movie-jenny-slate-interview/7696547001/)," starring Jenny Slate as the voice of an adorable, sneaker-clad shell, is on [Apple TV](https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/marcel-the-shell-with-shoes-on/umc.cmc.23mlvs843dhgo7ir7bk727xm2)and other on-demand platforms. [on demand](https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/mack--rita/umc.cmc.6z0mzebv8x0hjpju062hwdp8z)is the body-swap comedy "Mack & Rita," with Elizabeth Lail as a 30-year-old who wishes she was more like her grandma and [Diane Keaton](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/08/11/mack-and-rita-movie-diane-keaton/10281391002/)as her 70-year-old wish-fulfilled self. [Queen Latifah](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2022/06/08/queen-latifah-red-table-talk-discusses-weight-journey-obesity-stigma/7539334001/) hits the road with ["Fast and Furious"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2019/08/01/every-fast-and-furious-film-definitively-ranked-best-worst/1856145001/) regular [Chris "Ludacris" Bridges](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/07/28/ludacris-starts-education-through-music-kids-new-kidnation-site/5524968002/) for a Netflix thriller, and British actress [Ruth Wilson](https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2018/08/28/why-little-stranger-and-affair-star-ruth-wilson-always-delight-amid-darkness/1122483002/) ("The Affair") plays a woman looking for love – and finding a flighty boyfriend – in an English drama. [fall movie season](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/09/06/fall-movies-2022-most-anticipated-releases/7894249001/) out with a new take on a classic.

British actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth studied the 1940 Pinocchio to master the voice of the boy puppet.

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Why Is Fabiana In The Movie? Fabiana (Kyanne Lamaya) and her marionette Sabina aren't present in Collodi's book or in the Disney animated film. She shows up at ...

Anyway, Geppetto says that Pinocchio will always be his real boy, and he won’t change a single thing about him because he is proud of him, and he loves him. That brings him back to life, and he proceeds to explain the metaphor. When the giant tries to gobble them again, Pinocchio uses his feet to turn the broken dinghy into a speedboat and crash into a cave that isn’t big enough for the Monstro to enter. You’ll probably remember that in the animated film, Honest John (Walter Catlett) made a deal with The Coachman (Charles Judels) and poached Pinocchio off to him. Fabiana then appears all the way in the third act of the film to tell Pinocchio that the Carabinieri arrested Stromboli and put him in jail. They start a fire in there, causing Monstro to sneeze out of the dinghy that Geppetto, Pinocchio, Cleo, Figaro, and Jiminy are in. In the animated film, Geppetto and Pinocchio are eaten up by Monstro. Later that night, while the train on which they are riding is moving, Fabiana comes through the ceiling to tell Pinocchio that Stromboli is a “horrible, mean man” and that she’s going to help him get out of the cage. Since Pinocchio has to go find Geppetto, Fabiana tells him that she’ll be organizing a show in Siena next year, and she hopes to meet him there. And that she has started the New Marionette Family Theater and wants Pinocchio to join her. She says that she wants to leave the show because she wants to be famous, while helping Pinocchio wear his strings. Now, these Disney live-action/CGI adaptations have become about sucking the life and magic out of their animated counterparts and adding a bunch of unnecessary elements to the plot.

Even taking it as a given that Disney's animated classics will all receive live-action makeovers eventually, "Pinocchio" feels like an unnecessary exercise ...

Mostly, "Pinocchio" itself washes ashore into a kind of no-man's land -- too uninspired to bring anything fresh to the material, dutifully playing like a pallid redo of the 1940 classic, arguably one of Disney's most beautiful animated films from that pivotal stretch in its early history. They build toward his encounter with the seafaring Monstro, upgraded to "sea monster" status, having maligned whales quite enough. But "Pinocchio" unfortunately mirrors the lifelessness of Zemeckis' early experiments with animation and doesn't much augment the well-known story with the snippets of music added, other than Cynthia Erivo, as the Blue Fairy, belting out "When You Wish Upon a Star."

Disney's live-action remake of 'Pinocchio' from director Robert Zemeckis sees Tom Hanks give Geppetto more backstory. Review.

At its core, Disney’s Pinocchio is a moral parable encouraging boys to behave, to ignore the supposedly "sinful" temptations of the world, and to tell the truth lest their noses grow. The film’s bonkers storyline allows for no-holds-barred creativity — if your brief is to get Tom Hanks into Cast Away mode while rowing a puppet boy, goldfish, and a kitten out of a sneezing whale, the sky’s the limit. I'd add the importance of [speaking out against misogyny](https://mashable.com/article/what-can-men-do-male-violence) and [working to dismantle systems of oppression](https://mashable.com/article/how-men-can-help-sophie-gallagher-extract) to that list as key values for boys to learn early, but anyway. It’s an interesting time for Disney to be releasing a film that hinges around the concept of what makes a "real boy," according to a film released in the '40s. The film's surrealist underwater sequences are still magical to watch today, and the escape from Monstro is a stunning blend of fluid, hand-painted waves amid the bold character animation. Booming lines from the already-snappy original script while throwing in modern references to influencers and dropping a truly perfect [Chris Pine](https://mashable.com/article/dont-worry-darling-drama-harry-styles-spit) joke, Key's Honest John is a spectacularly fun highlight of a film weighed down in conversations around morality. [Cynthia Erivo](https://mashable.com/article/wicked-movie-cast-ariana-grande-cynthia-erivo), who thankfully doesn't waste a minute of her limited screen time. Darbus](https://high-school-musical.fandom.com/wiki/Ms._Darbus) energy to this anthropomorphised foxy thespian, Key voices the character as if he were standing miles from the microphone, throwing dramatic gestures and possibly wearing a cape in the sound booth. The script makes a tweak here to the original storyline to give Pinocchio a little more moral credit early on. [Beauty and the Beast](https://mashable.com/article/beauty-and-the-beast-movie-review), the narrative, dialogue, set and costume design, and even framing attempts to replicate the original. Notably, her character is part of the Marionette Traveling Theatre troupe run by Stromboli (Giuseppe Battiston), a problematic character associated with a Luckily for longtime Zemeckis collaborator Hanks (Forrest Gump, Cast Away, The Polar Express), this new Pinocchio expands Geppetto's backstory by giving context as to why this Italian woodcarver creates a wooden boy in the first place, what he really wishes for upon a star, and why exactly he's filled his home with elaborate (Disney-themed) cuckoo clocks.