My Top 10 Favorite Romance Movies

(Note: This post has been updated for 2017)

  It’s February again, the season of Valentines Day … a time for romance. it’s about time I dedicate a month to the subject. All throughout February, I’ll be posting romantic themed posts, and It’ll all lead to a review of what I consider to be Shakespeare’s greatest adaption of “Romeo and Juliet” ... sort off. Let's start things off with the big one, a countdown of my own personal top 10 favorite Romantic movies. Now, this has been a challenging list to assemble, as Romance isn’t in my wheelhouse of favorite genera’s … not that I have any animosity for it, but I’ve always preferred romance when parried with other movie categories like musicals, fantasies or animated films. I’ve probably only seen around twenty-five movies that are solely romantic pictures with no tie-ins to other categories. As such, a real favorite romantic movie countdown for me is mostly going to feature films that crossover into other genera’s. Still, it’s the Valentines season, and this is something I’ve always wanted to do. The only condition I’m setting for myself is a single animated picture, and a single romantic themed musical … otherwise this list would be comprised of nothing but films like “West Side Story” or Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” ... and that would just be too easy. With that said … let the romance begin.   

#10 “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961) 

Audrey Hepburn plays Holly Golightly, a “free spirited” young woman, who has a pen-chance for high-fashion, wild parties and is overly fond of Tiffany’s jewelry. Her high-spirited nature gets the attention of her neighbor, a lonely writer named Paul, who’s struggling to get anything off the ground. 

As the two get close, Paul learns that for all her boasting of being a free spirit, she’s in fact living in a cage of her own making … as she’s terrified to form attachments to anyone or anything, even to the extent of referring to her cat as “cat” and nothing else. She even throws the poor thing out in the rain when she fears she’s getting too fond of it. Now, Paul has to encourage Holly to steer her life in a firm direction, and breakout of that mental box she’s sealed herself in. Director Black Edwards, famous for “The Pink Panther”, among other comedies, seemingly blends his trademark style of hummer, with a genuinely fulfilling romance in this classic piece of Hollywood cinema. While there are some faulty taboos of the time, and an inexcusable racial presentation from Mickey Rooney, the film still holds up … especially with Audrey Hepburn’s delightful portrayal lighting-up the screen. It really was a performance for the ages, and one that young female actors still draw inspiration from to this day. Plus, the final scene in the cab, followed by the romantic kiss in the rain … simply one of the greatest endings to ever come from the genera. 

#9 “A Walk in the Clouds” (1995) 

Just a reminder, I’m not making a list of most classic romantic titles, or the films that set best with the critics, these are just my own personal favorites … and for whatever reason, 1995’s “A Walk in the Clouds” has always stuck with me. Keanu Reeves plays a War Veteran named Paul Sutton, who is having difficulty forgetting the recent horrors of WWII. 

One day, Paul meets a distraught pregnant woman whose boyfriend has abandoned her. To help out, Paul poses as her husband for her family and finds himself in a difficult situation. However, the more time he spends in the families crop fields, the more he finds himself genuinely falling in love, as well as develops a sense of belonging, and the pains of war are getting less difficult to live with. This was one of those films that gained a lot of attention upon its release, but has sense disappeared with its decade. It didn’t help that the film was loathed by most critics, although there were sum that sang the films praise … namely my favorite movie critic ever Roger Ebert, who said of the film …"A Walk in the Clouds" is a glorious romantic fantasy, aflame with passion and bittersweet longing. One needs perhaps to have a little of these qualities in one's soul to respond fully to the film, which to a jaundiced eye might look like overworked melodrama, but that to me sang with innocence and trust”. That in a nutshell is precisely how I feel, as there’s something magical to the film's presentation and tone, that it genuinely conveys a sense of a sweeping period romance … regardless of the elements that some may quickly right off as “cheap melodrama”.

#8 Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet” (1996) 

Here it is, arguably the most famous romance title ever, adapted for film numerous times … including the great 1968 classic … but my favorite version by far is Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 hit sensation. 

While this version remains the timeless story of love at first sight, and teenage romance ruined by family strife, there’s one major difference … it’s set in modern times. Actually, there’s a second difference, and that’s Baz Luhrmann’s distinct vision and style. Even when at their weakest, I’ve always loved watching Baz Luhrmann’s movies, as he’s a filmmaker who always brings a distinct look, vision and production to his films. All the iconic moments we recognize from “Romeo & Juliet” are all ingrained in my mind through this film’s presentation … the love at first sight moment in which the two first see each-other through a crowded fish tank … the balcony scene being set in a swimming pool … Romeo’s vengeful outburst leading into an exciting car chase … and of course the tragic ending, but this time featuring our two lovers locking eyes with one another just before they die. This is the version that seems to attract young teen viewers, and what a perfect way to be introduced to one of the greatest works of literature.   
          

   

#7 “To Catch a Thief” (1955) 

When it comes to the work of Alfred Hitchcock, he’s often associated with crime thrillers, murder mysteries, and on occasion … straight up horror. Still, he’s always had an eye for romance, and in this 50’s classic, he manages to combine a steamy infatuation, with a genuine “who done it mystery” that will leave you guessing to the end. 

There’s a consistent charm factor that carries this film, largely thanks to its perfectly matched stars Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. Both had their experiences staring in Hitchcock classics prior to this, and both are dynamite together on screen. Cary Grant plays a retired Jewel thief on parole, and is the prime suspect for a string of thefts similar to one’s he performed years ago. Eager to clear his name, Cary uses a beautiful and wealthy playgirl as a means to bait out the real thief. However, the playgirl played by Grace Kelly knows of his past life, believes him guilty of all crimes, and likewise hates a plan to bait him in … not to serve justice, but simply for the excitement of hooking up with a famous criminal. The iconic night-time sequence in her penthouse, with the fireworks going off in the distance … is one of the most delicious seduction scenes ever put to film. Hitchcock also gives this movie a distinct look, with gorgeous set designs, colorful lighting, and extravagant costumes. Romance on its own is good, and it’s all the more exciting when at the center of a cat and mouse game.

#6 “The Princess Bride” (1987) 

A grandfather pays a visit to his sick grandson, played by Fred Savage, and reads him a bedtime story … which the boy in none too thrilled by. 

The story takes place in a fantasy land, and revolves around a Princess, who’s kidnaped by villains, and yet is pursued by a mysterious masked man … who might just be her long-lost love coming to the rescue. There’s nothing too original about the premise, as it’s been done to death, and supper cliched … and yet, through its execution, charming tone, lovable cast, and inspiring sense of hummer … this film from start to finish is irresistibly delightful. In many respects, I really related to the boy played by Fred Savage, as I was a narrow-sighted kid that just wanted to play video games and had no interest in a mushy romance. Yet, the film draws you in with it’s fantasy charms, it’s creature effects, it’s swashbuckling action, it’s quotable lines, and by the end … I was fully on board with the romance. Cary Elwes was at the height of his carrier, and the remaining cast including Walace Shawn, Billy Crystal, Mandy Patinkin and all the others just so much warmth and joy to the film. 

#5 “Edward Scissorhands” (1990) 

When a kind inventor sadly passes away, he leaves behind a synthetic youth named Edward, who’s burdened with razor sharp scissors for hands. Despite his threatening look and foreboding nature, Edward is in fact a kind, gentle creature who’s desperate to find love and affection. 

His big heart works its way into a sympathetic young woman named Kim, who’s the only one capable of seeing past his goulash exterior. It’s the classic formula of a beautiful woman discovering the heart and soul in a deformed outcast, which is a tale preserved through the ages in stories like “Beauty and the Beast”, “The Phantom of the Opera”, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” … and even “King Kong”. Personally, “Edward Scissorhands” is my favorite of them all, and a true modern fairytale classic. For me, there’s a difference between a writer’s romantic story, and a filmmaker’s romantic experience, and Tim Burton is a master of conveying emotions through a visual media. All the romantic elements are captured through distinct moments, and the touching connections are made mostly through physical expressions, as opposed to straight on conversations. It’s a real art when properly executed, and it goes to show the talent involved in this project. Plus, this film contains one of the most heartbreaking exchanges ever … Kim: “Hold Me” … Edward: “I Can’t”. Both Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder make for a terrific on-screen pair, Dany Elfman’s captivating musical score is downright entrancing, and Tim Burton's art direction is about as unique as they get.            

#4 “Titanic” (1997) 

Like this movie even needs an introduction … while the tragic sinking of the Titanic has always been common knowledge, it became an inescapable part of our pop-culture thanks to the overwhelming popularity of this film. 

Being honest for a moment, I’ve always fond this film a pinch overrated. James Cameron basically gave us a movie that crossed a traditional Hollywood romance with a heartbreaking historical drama, and a little too often I found the fictional elements overshadowed the significantly more important historical presentation. Still, I’m not going to pretend that I don’t like this movie either, as it’s consistently engaging to watch, the cast play their parts well, and the emotional horror and tragedy of the situation still hit home. Even the romance is done well, and there’s no shortage of memorable highlights ... including yet another excellent final scene, which is another one of my favorite moments from any romantic picture I’ve ever viewed. The film is likewise visually striking to look at, and James Honors music score is one of the great iconic film compositions that has yet to be surpassed in the realms of romantic cinema.    

#3 “Your Name” (2017) 

Writer-Director Makoto Shinkai's has had quiet the filmography, and with the 2017 picture “Your Name”, he’s easily the next Hayao Miyazaki. We’re all familiar with the concept of body swapping films in the vein of “Freaky Friday” and so forth, but “Your Name” adds a very magical new ingredient to the formula.

A Japanese boy and girl from opposite sides of the country find themselves randomly exchanging bodies, and while it’s not a permanent swap, they find themselves frequently switching back and forth without warning. Neither can figure out why it’s happening, but it’s through this bizarre experience of spending time in each other’s shoes that they learn so much about one another and subsequently do each other a favor by bringing out the best in themselves. Their only means of communication are though notes that one writes for the other while in their swapped bodies, and even though they don’t physically interact, they do still form a powerful bond though what they learn of one another. In short, it’s one of the most unique love stories I’ve ever experienced, and there’s an additional twist at the end which makes it all the more impactful. The emotional implications of the film are balanced out with some of the most stunning artistry I’ve ever seen in an animated picture. It’s because of movies like this that I love Japanese Anime, as they frequently tell stories, and share experiences that you just don’t get in common American movies. It’s just a beautiful masterpiece that interweaves themes of time, the thread of fate, and the hearts of two young souls in one deeply moving package.

#2 “Moulin Rouge!” (2001) 

Baz Luhrmann returns to my list once again and make no mistake … this is one of my all-time favorite movies and could have easily been number one. However, my love for this movie is really for its musical implications, so I don’t feel right putting it at the number one spot. 

Nevertheless, "Moulin Rouge!" takes the familiar formula of “love at first sight”, tilts it on its side, and crafts something that’s both wildly original in presentation and structure. In this film, Luhrmann presents his romantic story from three different perspectives … the grim reality of a tragic future … a stage production, in which fantasy is real, and a happy ending lasts forever … and present-day events that mix the elements of fantasy and reality together. Needless to say, the movie is one big love letter to theatrical musical productions … it knows it’s over the top … it knows it’s cliched … and it just has a blast going all out with its presentation. Even the songs aren’t original, but they’re still great classics given a new voice. Nicole Kidman shines in the lead role, and while the romance is very theatrical, it still fits with the film’s presentation and is genuinely sweet. In all honesty, I just love looking at this movie, as there’s so much color, so much detail, so much atmosphere, and every time I watch this film, I notice something new. It’s simply a big spectacle celebrating the art of theatrical musicals, with big song numbers, big cinematography, big emotions, big set designs … it’s completely over the top … and I love it.

Before I reveal my number one favorite, here are some quick Honorable Mentions … 

“A Walk to Remember”

“Casablanca”

“The Quiet Man”

“The Time Travelers Wife”

“Pride and Prejudice” 

  

#1“Ever After: A Cinderella Story” (1998) 

Director Andy Tennant brings us a very special version of the well-known Cinderella fable, one that’s rooted in history, and with no fantasy elements of any sort. The result is a romance picture that I think can appeal to anyone, regardless of them being genera fans or not. Even though it doesn’t have any fantasy elements, it still feels magical, and there’s just something about the overall experience that warms the heart. 

The righting is clever, the characters are interesting, the villain is fun, there’s enough changes to keep it fresh, and yet it still stays true to the heart of the story. The girls get to show off their beautiful dresses, while also injecting the film with enough action and adventure. Yeah, even Cinderella gets to swing a sword, but in a cool way that doesn’t feel out of character. Leading the charge is Drew Barrymore, who absolutely shines in the lead role, portraying Cinderella as girl who’s fiercely independent, but still interesting, and vulnerable enough to make an emotional connection with.  Anjelica Huston likewise delivers as the evil stepmother, who’s evil, but also kind of intriguing. Director Andy Tennant has had a mixed carrier, but this in my opinion was his absolute best work, with a distinct creative vision, as well as a great screen play to put on his resume. Finally, unlike any other version of Cinderella I’ve seen, this one really nails the romance. The relationship between Prince and Princess to be is bursting with chemistry, but it’s also well structured, and by the end, it just brings me joy to see them together. Even some of the side characters, like the old couple have some downright heartfelt moments. “Ever After: A Cinderella Story” is just plain sweet, smart, stylish, and it’s the one straight forward romance picture that I’m consistently drawn to re-watching the most.   

Thanks for reading my countdown ... and continue to enjoy the movies you Love! 

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) (Movie Review)

    Comedy is my absolute favorite category of film, why, because nothing brings me more joy then well timed laughter. Unfortunately the turn of the century as seen a serious decline in quality comedy, most of them are forgettable, uninspired and just plain laugh free. Think back to the late 70’s and 80’s. That was the great golden age of comedy, and when films like “Animal House”, “Airplane!”, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and “Caddyshack” were all the craze. Comedy’s now day’s just don’t stand out like that anymore, and I can think of maybe 5 from the 2000’s area that were actually great. One of my personal favorite comedies from this age is the 2004 film “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy”. Like “Airplane!” before it, this is one of those comedies that has the makings of a classic, from its quotable lines, to its memorable scenes, and of course it’s wildly inspiring sense of silly hummer.

  

   The film takes place in San Diego during the 1970’s, and Ron Burgundy is the biggest newsman that everybody watched. At his side are three bumbling co-anchors that have their own distinct flair and persona that help boost the ratings of their news show. Now at this point in time, women didn’t get much publicity in the news world, and only covered smaller stories. Enter a bright young news lady named Veronica who aims to go above and beyond as a female news reporter. As her carrier progresses, the once adored Ron Burgundy finds himself facing some heated competition. Before too long, the clash of these two TV people becomes a personal war for the network broadcasting spotlight. Hijinks ensue, a romance is born, betrayal is committed, and we the audience are laughing all the way.

   Let’s first talk about the cast, particularly Will Ferrell in the lead role of Ron Burgundy. To be honest, Will Ferrell is one of those on and off again comedians who turn out just as much crappie work as they do comedic gold. His first break out movie in 2003 “Elf” was especially funny, and a promising start for his carrier. Then came “Old School” that same year, and while I really wasn’t a fan of that film, it proved that Will Ferrell was a strong new force in the world of comedy. In the case of Anchorman, his buffoonish portrayal of a clueless newsman is admittedly one of the movies biggest strengths. This is one of the rare times in which I felt that Will Ferrell actually created a funny character, as opposed to just about all his other films in which I feel Will Ferrell is just acting like himself. He’s definitely silly as Ron Burgundy, but with just enough restraint to keep him from being off the rail stupid. Christina Applegate is fine in the role of Ron’s female rival Veronica, but the character just never came off quiet as funny or attractive as the film tries to imply.

  

   The supporting cast is mostly perfect and help to give some variety to the jokes. David Koechner plays the upbeat and extremely fun loving Champ Kind, a guy who lives his life like one big party. Paul Rudd (of recent “Ant-Man” fame) plays Brian Fantana, the chill, laid back guy of the group, and personally my least favorite character as he’s the one with the most insufferable puns. Let’s not forget Steve Carell as Brick, the lovable, absent minded goof-ball of the news team. This is one of my favorite characters that Steve Carell has ever played, and launches most of the films funniest lines. Some of the supporting cast like Fred Willard, Seth Rogen and Vince Vaughn all do credible jobs, but it’s the celebrity cameos from actors like Ben Stiller that really crack me up. My favorite cameo comes from a punked out, motorcycle riding Jack Black, who has a side splitting encounter with a discarded burrito ... I dare not say any more then that because it’s really funny.

    I’m not going to lie, even though I love this movie, it can be really inconsistent with just how funny the comedy is. Some of the gags are side splitting, while a noticeable hand full of jokes are dry and uninspired. The first half hour of the film is especially pretentious with stale sexual innuendos, and a slow pace. But the film sure has its highlights, and definitely picks itself up. It’s one of those comedies that takes place in a setting where the real world is like a live action cartoon, and just about anything can happen. A slapstick street fight breaks out between various news stations for no apparent reason, Ron Burgundy breaths fire through a Jazz flute in front of a live audience, and a dog can get kicked off a bridge, fall several stories and still get back up on its feet completely unscathed ... sure, it’s just that kind of cartoony word where silly, unpractical events are the norm. The News room itself is a very fun and lively location that just feels like a fun place to work in. It’s hard to pick out a favorite scene out of so many memorable moments, but the Jazz flute scene never fails to crack me up. There’s a scene when two lovers spend the night together, and instead of a typical grotesque sex scene, we’re treated to this hilarious animated dream sequence with the two of them transported to the colorful world of “Pleasure Town”.

   The first big belly laugh comes in the form of a cologne brand called “Sex Panther” – “17% of the times, it’s guaranteed to work ... every time.” Then there’s the song “Afternoon Delight” performed by the cast, and while it’s an admittedly juvenile song, it makes for a really catchy harmony. My friends and I have actually tried to pool off our own harmony version of this song but it was only half as good as in the film ... I’m just not that good of a singer. On that note, this really is one of those films that is a lot of fun to discuses, reference and joke about with a big group of friends. The previously mentioned gang war between all the news stations is one of the greatest slapstick action scenes to be featured in a comedy. Characters pull medieval weapons out of their pockets, people are riding horses, and there's just no limit to how over the top the fight can get. The climax provides another funny slap stick action scene involving a hungry group of bears out for anchor-meat.

   

   Now there was a sequel that came out in 2013 and reunited the cast, but surprise, surprise ... I’ve actually never bothered to see it. Even though I heard it was a half way decent spoof, I typically don’t trust comedy sequels. There was a magic to that first film that I feel could never be captured again, but who knows, maybe I’ll see it someday. As for the first Anchorman, well, it can be a little inconsistent with its hummer, but when it’s funny ... hot damn is it ever funny. To this day, it’s still one of my favorite comedy’s of the modern age, the silly antics are inspiring, and it’s one of Will Ferrell’s most memorable performances. This is the kind of film that's perfect to watch with a rowdy group of friends looking for a big laugh and a good time, so take that for what it’s worth.

Thanks for reading my review of the 2004 comedy “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” ... and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!        

Disney’s Pinocchio (1940) (Movie Review)

    It’s been called one of Disney’s greatest animated treasures, the late great Roger Ebert called it his absolute favorite animated Disney movie he grew up with, and on the popular movie reviewing website “Rotten Tomatoes”, Disney’s “Pinocchio” is still the only one that has a perfect 100% ratting out of all the other animated films. This was Disney’s second animated feature, and even though it was initially a box office failure, it’s gained lots of respect and admiration over the years. It’s even regarded as a landmark film achievement in general. I personally didn’t like “Pinocchio” that much as a kid, and even to this day it’s not one of my favorites to come from the studio ... but it's certainly grown on me. In fact, I find myself liking this movie more as an adult then I did as a kid, and I definitely see why so many regard it as one of the best, if not the best of Disney’s animated offerings. First of all, this was a very ambitious project, as Walt Disney could have played it safe with another fairy tale like “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”. Yet, he decided to make a movie adapted from a novel that was actually kind of dark and twisted. Sure, the movie isn’t without its dark moments, but the film has a heart at the center, and it conveys some genuinely strong morals that kids should be exposed to at a young age.  

        

    Our story begins with a carpenter named Gepetto, an old man who makes wooden toys and clocks for children. One day he creates a wooden puppet named Pinocchio, and wishes it could be a real boy, that way he would no longer be a lonely old man. One magic night, a mystical Blue Fairy rewards Gepetto for his kindness by granting his wish, and placing a spell on Pinocchio. The puppet is giving the ability to move and talk, but he can’t become a real boy until he’s proven himself brave, selfless and several other things that would make him a good kid. Enter a little insect named Jiminy Cricket who volunteers to be Pinocchio’s conscience and guide on his journey to be a real boy. For lack of better terminology, I love how this movie humanized Pinocchio and made him feel like a real child. He’s bright eyed and innocent, but he doesn’t always make the right decisions and doesn’t even know the differences between right and wrong. It’s a great coming of age story, and a perfect way for young viewers to learn some meaningful life lesions as they follow this character who gets himself from one situation into another.  

   Let’s look at the characters, starting with Jiminy Cricket, who’s become one of Disney’s most iconic and well known characters. Personally, I never liked him that much, and even as a kid I found him kind of dull. I do however like what he represents, as he's more then just a goofy sidekick, and I wish more animated Disney films would feature characters like this. The only other two I can think of are the mouse Timothy from “Dumbo” and the crab Sebastian from “The Little Mermaid”. These are genially likable side kick characters that will be there for moral support, but convey it through their own charm and charisma. I honestly think current day Disney films rely too much on over the top comedic relief characters and wacky sidekicks. Jiminy Cricket would return in the animated 1947 Disney movie “Fun and Fancy Free”, and his status as one of the most iconic animated characters only progressed from there.

    Aside from Jiminy Cricket, we also have some colorful side characters, including the gold fish Cleo, and the mystical Blue Fairy. Of course, there's the mischievous little cat named Figaro, who's another character that somehow escaped the confines of the movie, and became a classic cartoon character. After his movie appearance, Figaro was often featured in both Mine Mouse cartoons, and even his own individual cartoons. To be honest, I keep forgetting that Figaro came from “Pinocchio”, I always think of him as Mine Mouse’s classic pet, which is wired now that I think about it ... a mouse has a pet cat. My favorite character in this movie is Gepetto himself. Despite being an old man, he still has the heart and spirit of a kid, and he’s just a real joy to have on screen. He also has some really funny reactions, and I especially love the scene when he discovers his wooden puppet has come to life. I almost wish that this was Gepetto’s movie, because I find him slightly more interesting than our title character.

    As is tradition with these animated Disney films, there has to be a villain. However, “Pinocchio” might just be the most unique in this regard. There isn’t one main villain, there’s actually several that change with each act of the movie. In act 1 the villain is a traveling performer named Stromboli, who kidnaps Pinocchio and forces him to perform in his show. In act 2 the villain is the Coachmen, who makes money off of children he's collected, and I’ll talk about that in more detail later. Then in act 3 the villain is the giant whale Monstro, who’s eager to make a meal out of Gepetto and his family.

Stromboli is the only antagonist that’s considered part of the official Disney villain line up, but personally, I actually found him to be the most boring and forgettable of all the characters. My favorite of the films villains by far is actually a character named Honest John, a swindler who always steers Pinocchio down the wrong path. This is the guy I always think of when it comes to “Stranger Danger”. He’s soft spoken and charismatic, but you just know you shouldn’t trust the guy, and I think it delivers a good message to kids. I especially love the design of this guy, in contrast to all the other human characters seen in the film, Honest John and his cat side kick are the only anthropomorphic characters featured in the film. I always took it as a metaphor, like ... maybe the other characters actually see him as a person, but we the audience see Honest John for what he really is ... a tricky and deceptive Fox.

    Ironically, I’ve always remembered “Pinocchio” as one of the scarier animated Disney films that I grew up with. There are some tense situations like when Pinocchio is kidnapped and caged by Stromboli, and there’s some really freighting imagery. That evil smile from the Coachman always kept me awake at night. On that note, lets finally talk about the wicked Coachman. This guy takes advantage of some juvenile children, has them transformed into donkeys, which are then turned into his slaves and prisoners. While Pinocchio is lucky to escape, the coachman is never defeated, and the kids he has imprisoned are never set free, which really bothered me as a kid. That makes the scary imagery and child transformations all the more disturbing with no happy ending, at least for them. The film also features some suggestive themes and content that I don’t think would fly so well today. For example, this movie shows in detail children smoking, drinking, and the word “Jack Ass” is thrown around a lot. Yes, I know there referring to jack ass donkeys, but even before the donkeys were featured in the film, we had characters saying “Jack Ass”.  

    This may seem like a really big problem for the film, but all the darkness actually works to the films advantage, and it helps children respect the messages in the movie even more. When most people think of the message from “Pinocchio”, they think of “make a wish, and your dreams will come true”, but there’s actually a lot more to this movie then just that. This is a coming of age story that teaches children the values of being truthful, being selfless, never trust strangers and the visuals used to convey these morals still stick with us to this day. Pinocchio’s nose growing longer when he lies, the kids turning into donkeys when they're selfish, these are all memorable moments that convey a sense of wisdom and helps make the movie a more valuable experience rather than a time waster with some pretty visuals.

    On that note, the artistry on display in this film is very impressive, especially for such an early animated film. There’s a scene when Pinocchio is submersed under water and explores the ocean world. While the layout is very colorful and lively, it also introduces some new techniques. This was the first time an animated character was ever featured under water, which meant new challenges for the animators to convey the illusion. They would draw individual bubbles when both the character and fish moved, and they’d also play with the lighting. This whole under water section was probably a big influence on the next generation of Disney artists that worked on “The Little Mermaid”. The locations all have a lot of detail and personality that brings this magical world to life. Gepetto’s work shop for example is one of the most colorful and lively locations I’ve ever seen in a Disney movie. Seeing all his detailed wooden clocks and musical toys come to life is just a real treat. The world of “Pinocchio” is also very unique, as it's not exactly a fantasy world, but it’s a world where anything can happen ... whether it’s a magical blue fairy or an anthropomorphic fox person, and I always love films that can just have strange things happen.  

    

     I also think the movie is a lot more exciting then we give it credit for. It may not be a swash buckling action adventure or anything, but the thrilling moments in this film are still really good.  The climax with the giant whale Monstro is very intense and exciting to watch. Actually, the more I think about it, this was the very first big action scene to be featured in an animated movie. The beast itself is one of the most frightening creatures to ever come from Disney, in fact I’d say that Monstro is just as thrilling as the giant squid from “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”. Something about the design, the deep sounds he makes, and those burning eyes of his that really set the intimidation mood. 

 

     Now, let’s talk about the music, as that played a big part in “Pinocchio’s” longevity. In fact, the movie won two Oscars for both original song and instrumental music. Well, the instrumental music is wonderful, as those first five notes heard during the opening title screen always get me in the warm nostalgic “feels”. The songs themselves are very memorable, but I’ve never really loved them either. I liked them more for the individual scenes as opposed to the songs themselves. For example, the musical number titled “Little Wooden Head” is very colorful and shows off how lively Gepetto’s workshop can get, but the song itself does nothing for me.  I think most of us still remember the musical titles like “I’ve got no Strings on me”, or “Give a little Whistle”, but we don’t really hum them to ourselves either, as there just not as fun as other classic Disney songs. I will say that Honest Johns villainess song titled “Hi-Diddle Dee Dee” is extremely upbeat, and it has that kind of bouncy melody that still plays in the sub-continues of my head. Of course, there’s that classic Oscar winning song “When you wish Upon a Star”, which shouldn’t be taken too seriously, and just appreciated as both a wholesome and deeply nostalgic tune. This song is practically Disney’s anthem, and it’s still a really good one that just takes me back to my child hood every time I hear it. 

   Overall, “Pinocchio” still isn’t one of my absolute favorite Disney offerings, and it’s not one that I watch often, but it is special, and it's positive reputation is well earned. I think children can gain a lot from the wisdom conveyed in the film, and it can definitely spark the imagination in viewers both young and old alike. It’s a film that I’d want kids to see at a young and impressionable age. I didn’t love this movie as a child, but it still left a small impact on me, and I still remember it as I’ve grown up. Ranging from bright and colorful, to dark and sinister, going from fun and adventurous, to beautiful and uplifting ... “Pinocchio” may not be a personal favorite, but it’s a well deserved Disney classic that I sincerely hope continues to be discovered by children of each changing generation.

Thanks for reading my review of Disney's 1940 classic “Pinocchio” ... and continue to enjoy the movies you love!