Top 10 Differences in Pinocchio 1940 and 2022

In both versions, Pinocchio has two nourishing male role models: his father Geppetto and his conscious Jiminy Cricket. Although they cross paths multiple times in the animated film, Geppetto and Jiminy never formally meet each other. The remake delivers an exchange 82 years in the making. As our heroes prepare to escape from inside Monstro, Pinocchio takes a moment to introduce his father to his cricket companion. On any other day, a talking, sharply-dressed cricket might strike Geppetto as somewhat out of the ordinary. Since he’s busting out a sea creature with his wooden son, though, Geppetto doesn’t dwell too much on the apomorphic insect who sounds a bit like Jim Hawkins from “Treasure Planet.” Jiminy Hawkins, if you will!

Luke Evans goes from playing Gaston in the live-action “Beauty and the Beast” to portraying another Disney villain. In the original, the dastardly Coachman lures naughty boys to Pleasure Island with the intent of turning them into donkeys. The remake’s Coachman has the same intentions, although he targets disobedient girls too. Evans’ Coachman also appears to be a master of the dark arts. In the blink of an eye, he can transform from a dirty coachman to a jolly Pleasure Island employee. The Coachman’s minions here have a smokiest, almost demonic aesthetic as well. It’s safe to assume the animated Coachman knew a little dark magic. How else would he develop a formula to change children into donkeys? The remake’s Coachman is next level, however.

One thing we always found weird about the original, less than 24 hours after Pinocchio springs to life, Geppetto decides to send him to school. Wouldn’t Geppetto want to spend more time with his newly created son before sticking him in a classroom all day? The remake does show a longer passage of time before Geppetto enrolls Pinocchio. Like in the original, Pinocchio encounters Honest John and Gideon, who encourage him to pursue an actor’s life. Pinocchio ignores Jiminy’s warning in the animated version, but he heeds the cricket’s words this time. Pinocchio makes it to school, but he’s swiftly kicked out for being a puppet. With Jiminy caught in a jar, John and Gideon have an easier time convincing Pinocchio to meet Stromboli.

The Blue Fairy, or Fairy with Turquoise Hair as she’s called in Carlo Collodi’s novel, plays a significant role in almost every “Pinocchio” adaptation. In the 1940 film, she grants Geppetto’s wish by giving his puppet life. She also helps Pinocchio escape from Stromboli, sends him a message about Geppetto getting swallowed by a whale, and turns him into a real boy. The remake limits the Blue Fairy’s presence to the first act. Played by Cynthia Erivo, the Blue Fairy gives Pinocchio the ability to talk and walk without strings. Following a rendition of “When You Wish Upon a Star,” though, the Blue Fairy is absent from the rest of the film, but a few other characters lend Pinocchio a hand along the way instead.

Shortly after escaping from Pleasure Island, Pinocchio gets word that his father was consumed by Monstro. The remake seemingly sets us up for another climax with a menacing sperm whale. Upon encountering the beast, Pinocchio finds that Monstro isn’t really a whale, but a sea monster. Although this is a change from the 1940 film, the remake’s version is more faithful to Collodi’s novel. In the book, Geppetto finds himself in the clutches of The Terrible Dogfish. The remake’s design is also closer to the book’s illustrations, albeit with some updates reminiscent of the Kraken. The remake’s Monstro is every bit as relentless as his 1940 counterpart, but Pinocchio is able to outrace him now that he has motorboat-like legs.

In addition to junk food, the original’s Pleasure Island treated the boys to cigars and alcohol. Although the sequence ultimately teaches young viewers not to smoke, we figured that cigars would be omitted from the remake. Nowadays, tobacco is rarely portrayed in G, PG, or even PG-13 movies. Some believe that even when smoking is depicted in a negative light, it can still come off as glamorized. The remake also substitutes beer for root beer. How do we know this? Because they say it several times in a row just in case anyone didn’t hear. Maybe it’s the mug, but the beverage Pinocchio is given looks an awful lot like real beer. Last time we checked, root beer was more brown than yellow…

In the Blue Fairy’s place, a few new characters aid Pinocchio on his journey to becoming a real boy. Lorraine Bracco voices a seagull named Sofia who informs Pinocchio that Geppetto is headed out to sea. The most notable newcomers are Kyanne Lamaya’s Fabiana and her marionette Sabina. It’s implied that Fabian was a dancer until her leg was damaged. Now she channels her desire to dance through Sabina, who Pinocchio is more comfortable talking with. Fabiana and Sabina point Pinocchio towards the key that releases him from his cage. Where Stromboli never gets any comeuppance in the original, his corruption catches up to him here. With Stromboli out of the way, there are no stringers holding Fabiana back from taking over the puppet show.

At his core, Pinocchio in the original was always a kind soul. He was also naive, though, which is usually the first step towards being corrupted. Once he gets a taste of mischief, Pinocchio sees the fun side of being bad. It isn’t long, however, until Pinocchio learns these actions have consequences. Pinocchio isn’t so easily tempted in the remake. When the Coachman snatches him up, Pinocchio insists that his father wouldn’t approve. As the Coachman and other children gang up on him, Pinocchio unwillingly goes with the flow. Even at Pleasure Island, Pinocchio is hesitant to drink or break anything, knowing Geppetto would be disappointed. It captures the uncomfortable sentiment of being at a party where everybody is intoxicated except you.

The animated film doesn’t delve too deep into Geppetto’s backstory, although it’s implied that he never married or had biological children. This isn’t the case with Tom Hanks’ Geppetto, a widow who lost his son as well. Geppetto’s clocks are also given more significance. Aside from hosting a plethora of Disney Easter eggs, Geppetto made the clocks for his late wife, leaving him reluctant to sell them. Geppetto copes with his grief by carving Pinocchio, set to the mournful tune, “When He Was Here With Me.” When Geppetto wishes upon a star, it’s not made clear if he asked for Pinocchio to become a real boy or for his departed son to return. Either way, Geppetto is given more of a parental arc this time.

We all know how the original ends. It appears Pinocchio didn’t survive Monstro’s attack, but by proving himself brave, truthful, and unselfish, he becomes a real boy. The remake throws a few curveballs. Instead of Pinocchio, it’s Geppetto who’s left in critical condition. Pinocchio revives Geppetto as a teardrop lands on his face. We’re just going to assume Pinocchio got that power from the Sundrop Flower like Rapunzel. Even more prominent, Pinocchio doesn’t become a human boy per se. As Geppetto accepts Pinocchio for who he is, we’re left on an ambiguous note as they head home. With a blue glow around the corner, it’s possible that Pinocchio is about to be transformed. Jiminy doesn’t say, but Pinocchio is a real boy where it counts.