I think Robert Zemeckis was maybe trying to get closer to the original Disney version of this film from 1940, but it doesn't really work. Tom Hanks sparingly takes on the human role of the carpenter "Geppetto" who longs for a son. He crafts this wooden replica and magic takes an hand with the benevolent "Blue Fairy" turning him into the young "Pinocchio". This youngster's is a bit spoiled and is soon bored with the routine of his life at home and at school and before long is tempted by a visiting (and well paying) theatrical show who take him from the safety of "Geppetto" and, accompanied by narrator/conscience "Jiminy Cricket" we now see the boy experience adventures that demonstrate the venality, cruelty and selfishness of humanity as he gradually starts to yearn for the safety of his home and his father. This perilous journey does, however, help him grow. He begins to mature and discover the difference between right and wrong, truth and lie whilst meantime the old man is despairing and sets off to find him. Can they ever meet again? The animation is really enjoyable here, but the characterisations are all a bit feeble. The gist of this story has a darkness to it and that is lacking here. Granted, this isn't the easies of stories to Disneyfy with much more substance to the malevolence of the plot, but here we seem to have something that falls between two stools. It's not menacing, nor is it a "cartoon", it's just a bit soulless. Still, it's not unwatchable and if it encourages youngsters to read the book or check out a few of the grittier adaptations of the Collodi novel, then all's good.
