 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Pinocchio
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1940
Common Sense Media says
Disney masterpiece is darker than you may remember.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this Disney classic handily passes the test of time for a beautiful and effective lesson on the perils of doing wrong when you should know better. Some scenes and themes may
be intense for younger or sensitive viewers, such as when Pinocchio is kidnapped and
caged, threatened with destruction, can't find his father, and/or nearly
drowns. They should also be aware that Pinocchio's friend Lampwick introduces him to cigar smoking, but is punished for it. Kids may be disturbed by Pleasure Island, where "bad
boys" are turned into donkeys and sent to work in salt mines. But overall this morality tale is a good reminder of the importance of
listening to your conscience.
What's the story?
First released in
1940, PINOCCHIO tells the story of a kindhearted but lonely woodcarver named
Geppetto (voiced by Christian Rub) who wishes that the wooden puppet he carved
would be a real boy. His wish is granted by a fairy (Evelyn Venable,) but only
in part; it is up to the suddenly mobile Pinocchio (Dickie Jones) to finish his
transformation to boyhood by being brave, truthful, and unselfish. The fairy
gives him help in the form of Jiminy Cricket (Cliff Edwards), his designated
"guide along the straight and narrow path." But when that path is
strewn with temptations to skip school and visit Pleasure Island, Pinocchio's
quest to be a real boy -- not to mention his father's life -- are imperiled.
Is it any good?
Seven decades after
it first came out, Pinocchio hearkens back to a time when the stars of animated
films were the illustrators, not celebrity voice talent. The 2009 reissue
includes digital restoration of the film's original colors, so that, for
instance, scenes of various cuckoo clocks chiming simultaneously in Geppetto's
workshop would be reason enough to recommend the film. The soundtrack includes
classics like "When You Wish Upon a Star" and "Give a Little
Whistle" that will still be familiar to families today.
But the lessons in
the film are also timeless: the same traits of bravery, honesty, and selflessness
that make Pinocchio human are ones we would like our children to possess in
adulthood. The downside of ignoring your conscience is rendered in a way that
may be uniquely terrifying to children -- how indulging in the temptations of
Pleasure Island results in separation from family and utter loss of self. Though
Jiminy's reassuring presence allows viewers to hope for the puppet boy's rescue,
Pinocchio acts as the original "Scared Straight" experience for the
younger set.
What families can talk about
Families can talk
about what it means to "let your conscience be your guide." How do
you tell the difference between right and wrong, and what do you do if you
can't figure it out? When Pinocchio is first kidnapped, Jiminy wants to tell
Geppetto but worries about being "snitchy." What's the difference
between being a tattletale and helping a friend in danger?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Scary for some
This movie tells you why you should say no to drugs, but also it includes some bad language, and it can scare few (My mom was scared), so it's pretty dark for a few minutes, then it kinda clears up.
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AGE
The greatest film of all time
This is the most influencial film in the disney canon. It has lots of tough situations to conquer. It is like knowing from right to wrong. This is a very great film. I highly recommeded it.
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AGE
I have to say, this is not one of Disney's best movies.
I understand this movie's considered to be a Disney classic, but I didn't like it as a child and I still don't see what's so great about it now. I found the songs to be unmemorable (and with Disney, the music can really make or break the movie), and it was not only boring but a bit dark, too. If you want to see a great movie about Pinocchio, I would reccomend the stopmotion special Pinocchio's Christmas (it's not Disney, it's Rankin-Bass).
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AGE
really should be rated...
this is the most inapropreate G movie i have ever scene!!!!!! and for these ressons: there is underage drinking and smoking, some vilonce and peril, and language like "jackass". I think they should have rated it PG-13. Or atleast a PG because having it G rated with all that stuff in it is wrong!
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AGE
Should have a PG-13 rating!
Where to start? Dancing girls that are scantily clad, caged up lead character, reliance on someone else to be your conscience, the clocks in the store are suggestive, excessive use of the word "jackass", not to mention drinking and smoking, spitting, and misbehaving. I'm sorry we bought it... I was hoping old school Disney would be sweet and nice for my 4 year old. Not so much!
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AGE
i love pinocchio, but there should be a pinocchio played by a girl to see if a girl can establish playing a wooden puppet
why put smoking and drinking in a childrens movie???? its pathetic
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AGE
Like most early Disney flicks; it's not for the younger crowd.
While it is nice for kids to have the message of obey your parents, and to have a hero as helpless and easily manipulated as them, it is not for them. Disney movies of this era (the 'Golden Age') were not made as kid's movies or even family films they were movies! And they were d**n good ones at that! People below me said that the use of the word jackass is inappropriate. People; please understand that, the word jackass is another word for a donkey (as is just plain "ass'). They say that underage smoking and drinking is encouraged; it is frowned upon. In fact; it's what turns Pinocchio and all of the other boys into asses! Roger Ebert himself stated "that is the reason why I have never smoked a cigar!" But I agree that it is too mature and dark for little children, but if you're older you will enjoy it, and be delightfully scared by it!
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Kid, 11 years old
June 5, 2011
AGE
Disturbing Tale About Donkey Slavery
Pinocchio is pretty bad. Boys drink beer,play pool, and smoke. The words jackass is used.Boys turn into donkeys and are sold to circuses and salt mines. This deeply disturbed me, since I have a kind heart. In one seen, it apears that pinocchio has died. Red Lobster is shown in one seen.
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AGE
Young children don't always have the attention span to get the whole message. All they see is Pinocchio smoking and drinking and are off doing something else when he suffers the consequences... It's not appropriate for any child under 5 in my oppinion and frankly was better off staying in the vault.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures, puppets |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | Hamilton Luske |
| Cast: | Cliff Edwards, Dickie Jones, Mel Blanc |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 88 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 23, 1940 |
| DVD release date: | March 10, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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