Search - Jungle Book, Pinocchio & Leo the Lion: King of the Jungle (Jetlag Productions, Golden Films) on DVD

Obviously, the previous reviewer reviewed the wrong film...

Taran Wanderer | Chicago, IL | 08/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Because if he or she had really written a review for GoodTimes' Pinocchio, he or she wouldn't have said that this film is evil or depressing because it simply isn't anything like that. This version of Pinocchio is one of the most touching animated adventures to come out of the studio. There's a lot of emotion and heart and when I was a little boy, this film used to make me cry. The last few moments are absolutely moving.

The story begins when a spark of magic scapes from the home of the Blue Fairy and lands on Gepetto the toymaker's fireplace. The spark of magic blends into one of the logs in the fire, it is this very log that Gepetto then turns into a toy all for his own. He creates a little puppet which immediatly comes alive, for it had been blessed with the Blue Fairy's magic. Gepetto sends his boy to school, but being a puppet just learning about the world, he decides to instead follow temptation and turn to see a puppet play instead. Pinocchio lives through a number of adventures like this, being trusty of unkind strangers and lying to get out of trouble, but when he becomes the scare that threatens the very Blue Fairy's life, he promises to be a good boy and is given his heart's greatest desire.

I am so sick of people comparing GoodTimes films with Disney films and even more sick of adults expecting to be pleased with a film that is meant for smaller children. Many of my friends have seen this wonderful animated tale when they were *children* and they all love it. Adults have a harder time appreciating simple beauty and are too judgemental, these films should be reviewed by children, not grown-ups. This was the review of an open-minded teen-ager."

Not a lick of charm

Brett Holt | 12/25/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Since the Disney version is not currently for sale, many customers may be tempted to buy this ripoff as a second choice. If you're in that camp, please don't bother. Either wait for the Disney re-release or buy the Disney version used.

It's no surprise that the production values are very poor. That's par for the course with this type of low budget production. Given my daughter's extreme enthusiasm at finally receiving Pinocchio (as a gift) we decided to give it a go. The adults in the room found it painful to watch given the poor characterization, the plot that jumps around so much as to be completely incoherent and the overall cynical low-budget approach to the material. My 4-year-old found the entire plot and the world the video presents to be scary and depressing. She was actually crying at the end of it, even despite the supposedly happy ending. She insisted on watching through to the end in hopes that some ray of light would appear to lift her spirits -- no such luck! The good characters are completely unconvincing. I hate to say this about any movie, but it just felt evil through and through. This version lacks the charm of the Jiminy Cricket character, and their version of Pinocchio has no personal warmth or other redeeming characteristics to draw you in. His relationship with Gepetto seems artificial and forced. There are no warm or positive elements to counteract the pervasive evil of the world Pinocchio falls into. And, of course, none of the charming musical numbers that kids love so much.

Overall, just a horrendous experience for young and old. Avoid this one if you can."

Pinocchio

B. Bailey | 06/29/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"this is a great movie for first graders. It is not as long as a regular movie. The students really liked it."