“Pinocchio” isn’t as bad as people say it is.

Since the trailer dropped, there have been a number of criticisms about the film’s “creepy” look.

On September 8th, 2022, this newest version about the wooden boy was released as a live action film directed by Robert Zemeckis (“Back to the Future,” “Forrest Gump”). The cast consists of Tom Hanks as Geppetto, Cynthia Erivo as the Fairy Godmother, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Pinocchio, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jiminy Cricket. 

Before the release of Pinocchio, the trailer invited a wide and curious audience to question whether the movie would be other uninspiring live action movies, or a mesmerizing new experience most live action movies fail to achieve.

Although the so-called “live action film” is portrayed closer to an animation, the newest Pinocchio live action film is shown with astonishing visuals as the animals in the film such as Jiminy Cricket, Honest John, and Gideon look extremely realistic. 

Since the look of the animals are extremely realistic, it can create an unsettling feeling for some viewers.

Viewers also mention how the film moves at a weird pace as it starts with the normal backstory of “Pinocchio,” where a wooden boy after being brought to life by his “father” Gepetto longs to be made into a real boy. Then it just moves too quickly as Pinocchio experiences several unlucky events, like when he is tricked by “Honest” John into becoming famous before being shipped off to Pleasure Island.

The moral of the story is that Pinocchio learns the importance of being honest, as he lies about not wanting to be famous at a certain part of the movie. 

This is the substantial element to the story of “Pinocchio.”

However the message was not portrayed enough in this film, which takes the message for granted as it focuses more on all the horrible things happening to Pinocchio on his quest.

I feel as the film focuses on those events and drifting off the lesson of “Pinocchio,” which clearly is if you stay truthful and listen to your conscience, you are a good person. 

That said, “Pinocchio” is most certainly not a great film. Maybe not even very good. It just isn’t as bad as some people out there are saying.

“Pinocchio” is currently streaming on Disney+.