Pinocchio (1940)

From the very beginning, Jiminy Cricket grabs your attention and sucks you in.  Something about him just makes you want to watch.  One of the first things I noticed was that some of the clocks in Geppetto's work shop are simply amazing.  Some examples are a turkey on the chopping block, a hunter shooting at a bird in a tree, a drunk guy drinking more booze, and of course a child being spanked every time it chimes.  Priceless.  Where does Walt's team come up with this stuff?

In keeping with the Disney tradition, there are many cute moments to make you smile and laugh.  My favorite might be when Pinocchio lights his finger on fire and with a huge smile says "look- pretty!!."  Geppetto puts the fire out by dipping his finger in the fish bowl which then clouds up.  This leads the fish to blow smoke rings. UHHHH WHAT!?  I never thought there could be so much smoking in a film meant for children.  Geppetto smokes, the two foxes smoke, hell even Pinocchio smokes at one point.  In fact.. I'm pretty sure everyone smokes at one point or another in this thing.

That being said, this was a pretty solid movie.  The end definitely drags out a bit.  I think it was around 20 minutes or so of Pinocchio searching the bottom of the ocean for his father.  All without taking a breath I might add.  Still not sure how that one works.  I guess this is where I need to remind myself that it is just a movie and to not get hung up on the details.  If I was ignoring the fact that I have seen many Disney movies and only comparing the two I have seen so far to pick a favorite Disney movie.. well it's a toss up.  I liked them both but am not crazy about either one.  I'm sure I will see them again, especially after I have kids, but I wouldn't rush to see them again.

Up next: Fantasia