Film Review: "Pinocchio" (2022).

"Being real is in your heart." This is Pinocchio. This fantasy musical directed by Robert Zemeckis, adapted by Zemeckis and Chris Weitz, based on the 1940 animated Disney classic of the same name, which is itself based on the 1883 Italian book The Adventures of Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi, and produced by Walt Disney Pictures. It is a live-action remake of the 1940 animated classic. A live action and CGI retelling of the beloved tale of a wooden puppet who embarks on a thrilling adventure to become a real boy.

In early April 2015, it was announced that Walt Disney Pictures is developing a live-action adaptation of the 1940 animated classic with Peter Hedges hired to pen the adaptation. In late May 2017, it was announced that Weitz replaced Hedges in penning the adaptation and Sam Mendes was hired to direct. However, in mid November, Mendes left the project. In late February 2018, it was announced that Paul King was hired to replace Mendes and production was expected to begin in late 2018. In late August, though Jack Thorne was hired to re-write Weitz's script, Weitz revealed that the script was still being developed, as well as that production was set to take place in England and Italy during 2019. In November, Simon Farnaby was reportedly hired to pen a new draft for the adaptation. However, in mid January 2019, it was reported that King left the film due to "family reasons", while Disney was announced to be searching for a new director for the project. In late October 2019, it was reported that Disney was considering releasing the film on its streaming service Disney+ due to the box office failure of its 2019 remake of Dumbo. In late January 2020, it was reported that Zemeckis was hired to replace King and pen a new script with Weitz. In early December 2020, the film was officially announced to be moving back to Disney+ instead of a theatrical release in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. By mid March 2021, Tom Hanks, Cynthia Erivo, Giuseppe Battiston, Luke Evans, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Keegan-Michael Key and Lorraine Bracco were cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in April. Filming took place at Cardington Film Studios, England, under the working title Mahogany.

The film stars Hanks, Erivo, Battiston, Evans with the voice talents of Ainsworth, Gordon-Levitt, Key and Bracco. The cast and their characters feel like they're trying to replicate better performances than they could ever hope to achieve.

Despite the updates and the pomp the film feels underwhelming by the time the end credits roll. The songs frequently interrupt the flow of the story, creating a stop-and-go feel that sucks some of the film's momentum away. The production was so focused on making us remember the past that it did little to make the present memorable. This is one film that we would watch for the sake of it but come out of the theatre wishing for the good ol' days.

Simon says Pinocchio receives:

Also, see my review for The Witches and Cruella.