Walt Disney Pictures resurrects the Academy Award-winning masterpiece Pinocchio, for the first time issued in Blu-ray and standard DVD in one package. Digitally restored to perfection with brilliant animation, inspiring music, and a danger-filled story as charming as it is intrepid, this “70th Anniversary 2-Disc Platinum Edition” of Pinocchio is, simply put, one of Disney’s most cherished releases. This review will concern itself with the standard DVD rather than the Blu-ray version.

As a carpenter, Geppetto is a man with the talent to provide more than enough clocks for a single household and make puppets out of wood. His favorite puppet happens to be Pinocchio, a puppet he one day hopes will become a real boy. As silly as it sounds, the night he wishes upon a star, Pinocchio is brought to life still in puppet form.  Pinocchio must go through many challenges including a trip to Pleasure Island where bad is good, peer pressure is tempting, and danger is inevitable, while learning that growing up, and being human, is hard.

The well-known character first appeared in the 1883 novel titled The Adventures of Pinocchio written by Carlo Collodi and was adapted to film in 1940 by Ted Sears and a host of others, who together made what is regarded as one of the greatest Disney films of all time.

Perhaps what makes Pinocchio so idolized is its lovable characters, handcrafted animation, highly moral fairy tale, and catchy, award-winning music. Taking the Oscars for best original score and original song for “When You Wish Upon a Star,” Pinocchio has more than enough charm to please anyone looking to bring out the child within.

The film is a milestone in animation and a daring piece of work. It’s one of Disney’s most daring stories – exploring underage drinking, smoking, and gambling. While all that may sound more intimidating than entertaining, it uses the story to teach a lesson without sending the wrong message. It’s solid entertainment for the young and the old.

The vocals are pitch perfect, the sound is more than magnificent, and the animation more detailed than ever. This new edition of the Disney classic happens to be a very appealing package, but only if you have a Blu-ray player. Included is a standard DVD of the movie, which is convenient and greatly appreciated. However, all of the magnificent special features are on the Blu-ray disc. So if you happen to be unfortunate enough not to have a Blu-ray player or a PS3, you are going to miss out on all of the bonus features that you were possibly dying to see.

Included on the Blu-ray bonus disc are Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes, Never Before Seen Alternate Ending, Disney View-Expanded Viewing Experience, Cine-Explore Experience, Pinocchio Knows Trivia Challenge, Pleasure Island Carnival Games, “No Strings Attached: The Making of Pinocchio,” “Geppettos Then and Now,” and a commentary track with Leonard Maltin, Eric Goldberg, and J.B. Kaufman.

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