Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Italian live-action version has mild scares and peril.
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Pinocchio (2020)
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 16 parent reviews
Parents say that this film is a dark and unsettling interpretation of the original story, with many reviews highlighting its disturbing themes and graphic scenes, such as a puppet being hung and a donkey drowning. While a few viewers appreciated its artistic style and deeper message, the majority strongly advise against watching it with young children, citing the horror-like atmosphere as inappropriate for a children's movie.
- dark themes
- disturbing scenes
- inappropriate for children
- artistic interpretation
- mixed reviews
- parental concerns
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 11 kid reviews
What's the Story?
PINOCCHIO is the story of a young puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy. Downtrodden woodcarver Geppetto (Roberto Benigni) one day makes a puppet, and much to his surprise, it comes to life. Pinocchio (Federico Ielapi) should be at school leading a normal life, but curiosity gets the better of him and he winds up on an adventure far away from home.
Is It Any Good?
This movie comes from the creative mind of director Matteo Garrone who brings his distinctive surrealist and dark cinematic style to a much known and loved tale. This live-action version of Pinocchio -- in Italian with English subtitles -- is very much a retelling of the original Carlo Collodi story as opposed to the 1940 Disney animation, and it thrives in the absurd world that's spawned from the writer's mind. Garrone doesn't shy away from being strange, and this movie wears it's bizarre tone and aesthetic like a badge of honor.
The look is somewhat unsettling though, and what transpires is quite a scary film. Even though it remains accessible to all the family, the sheer oddity of it may well lead to a restless night, even for adults. Benigni -- who played Pinocchio in a terrible 2002 live-action version -- is brilliant as Geppetto. In fact one of the downsides is that he's not given more screen time, as he's undoubtedly the best thing about the film. While Pinocchio's adventures are more integral to the plot, it's a joy when back in the presence of the aforementioned woodcarver.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the more scary scenes in Pinocchio. Which bits did you find most intense? Did the fantasy element make it any less scary? How to choose a scary movie for your kid.
Discuss the relationship between Pinocchio and Geppetto. How does it change over the course of the movie? Geppetto proves to be a strong role model in Pinocchio's life. What positive role models do you have in your life?
Pinocchio's nose grows every time he lies. Talk about the notion of lying. What are the repercussions of telling lies in real life? Why is it important that we tell the truth?
How does this version of the story compare to others, such as the Disney animation? Which one did you prefer and why? Why do you think this is a story that keeps getting retold?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 25, 2020
- On DVD or streaming : March 2, 2021
- Cast : Federico Ielapi , Roberto Benigni , Rocco Papaleo
- Director : Matteo Garrone
- Studio : Roadside Attractions
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Book Characters , Puppets
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity
- Run time : 125 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some disturbing images
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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