Also, the look of the 1940 animation offering was seamless, which made everything seem more real and cute and scary to me.

On the positive side, this live-action remake stays mostly on track story wise, and it’s much better than Roberto Benigni’s dreadful 2002 version. 

The poem below lists 2022 Pinocchio highlights.

Puppet wants to be a real boy

to give his sad father some joy.

Blue Fairy relates to him how

  good real boys honor fathers now.

Pinocchio, the puppet’s name,

then tries to play a righteous game.

First off to school but he’s thrown out.

What in the world is this about?

He’s glad he has at least one friend,

Jiminy Cricket to the end. 

This tiny creature, his conscience,

.attempts to help with his good sense.

The dangers that puppet faces!

Finding himself in bad places.

And Pleasure Island where donkeys bray

because they’re boys turned that day

His song and dancing leads to fame.

But also to things that bring shame.

Pinocchio’s nose grows too long

because he lies, and that is wrong.

A giant monster in the sea.

Will it swallow son and daddy?

Live-action with special effects

not as easy to stop some wrecks.

But Hanks plays father Geppetto.

That’s a reason to see this show.

Whether he’s mumbling while working on his clocks or smiling while talking with Pinocchio, Tom Hanks makes us care about Geppetto. He always surprises me by the way he transforms himself into the character he’s playing. He just gets better and better. 

Benjamin Evan Ainsworth provides the voice for Pinocchio and Joseph Gordon-Levitt does the same for Jiminy Cricket. They both sound like the characters they play. Also, talented Keegan-Michael Key lends his voice to Honest John.  Plus, Giuseppe Battiston stands out as the bombastic Stromboli and Kyanne Lamaya makes her mark as a sensitive puppeteer. I already mentioned the terrific Cynthia Erivo as the Blue Fairy.         

If director Robert Zemeckis (Gremlins) wanted to make another entertaining Pinocchio movie, then his mission is almost accomplished. But it can’t compare to the 1940 animated classic, and many viewers who have seen both films will probably agree with me.

To be a real boy, you must prove yourself to be brave, truthful and unselfish. ---The Blue Fairy

(Released by Disney + and rated “PG” by MPAA.)