Carlo Collodi, �Pinocchio.
This new dvd features two interactive games played with your dvd remote control!
Fantasy Adventure - 2001, NR (94 min) WARNING: This review reveals plot surprises. In 1890 Florence, woodcarver Gepetto wants to win the Royal puppet festival and get a court appointment � his lifes goal. But his son Pinocchio worries about him working too hard. Pinocchio lusts for adventure beyond his little village through investment and making money. On the way to school, he finds a puppet show with Cat and Fox, and miracle worker, Madame Flambeau who cures a cripple. Pinocchio and his friend Lampwick skip school and go to the circus where they see various strange exhibits. While they think they spent only a few minutes, they find the day over and Gepetto ill from exhaustion. When they go to the circus to buy some elixir for Gepetto, they are recruited by Cat and Fox who want to trade him for their own reversion to human form. Flambeau makes a potion and Pinocchio and Lampwick sign a contract to work for her until the elixir is paid for. Gepetto wakes up young again, but a puppet. Flambeau reveals that she is the wife of puppet master Lorenzini who was turned into a while and she accuses of Pinocchio and Gepetto of being his murderers and kidnaps them. During their forced performances, Pinocchio gets a mysterious message from the Blue Fairy. He finds Lampwick transformed into a seahorse. The Prince of Florence plans a visit and Pinocchio saves one of the human/fish from being served for dinner. The circus barker gives Pinocchio an opportunity to escape with a charm of �protection and direction. Madame Flambeau offers to make Lampwick and Gepetto human again if Pinocchio drinks the elixir and become a puppet. Cat and Fox return to try to steal Gepetto from Flambeau. When Pinocchio substitutes real puppets, Flambeau is embarrassed in front of the Prince. The barker takes them to the part of the forest where Pinocchio began his life but now with Flambeau, Cat, and Fox chasing them. The barker reveals that he as been Pinocchio�s helping cricket all along. When Flambeau threatens Pinocchio, Gepetto recovers his love for his son. Flambeau reveals that she has been the evil puppeteer Lorchini all along. Just as Lorchini starts a bonfire to burn the puppets, Pinocchio solves a riddle that allows them to escape into a magical cave that restores them to their true nature: Lampwick, Pinocchio and Gepetto become human again, but Lorchini turns into a monster who is put on display in his own circus. SUBSTANCES: Madame Flambeaus � cures a man�s handicap and is then sold to the public. It returns Gepetto�s youth, but turns him into a puppet. An escaping fish winds up in a barrel of beer.
COMMENTS: A charming variation of the old story with Jim Henson�s puppets and up-to-date, but not too scary special effects. Better yet, the story is filled with positive philosophy of life and lots of wisdom: problems can�t be solved with magic potions, trouble is avoided by going to school, love can restore relationships, and people ultimately show their true nature. (Reviewed Feb 2004)
4 & Under With Guidance 10-12 Yes
5-7 Yes 13-15 Yes
8-9 Yes 15-17 Maybe
VIOLENCE/SCARINESS: Some slapstick. One of the freaks in the circus appears cold, but breathes fire. Flambeau has a live fish with a human face for dinner. The extra eye tattooed on Flambeau�s face becomes real and comes to life.
CRIMES: Truancy (U), Kidnapping (P).
ships in the U.S. for $2.75
