Lin Rook

2022 Pinocchio is beautiful and sweet. The wooden boy doesn’t just go along with everything, like in the cartoon, but shows a developing mind and emotions. Even though the world is dangerous and unforgiving, Pinocchio tries to hold onto the lessons given to him by those who care for him: the Blue Fairy, Geppetto, and Jimny Cricket. In my opinion the ending makes more sense and leaves Pinocchio’s adventures open to interpretation. As Geppetto said in the end, Pinocchio experienced so much in one day. It is nice to see a character loved for who they are and not who they should be.

This is a sci fi, horror, and suspense. The movie cleverly travels back and forth, to the past and present. A child actor survives a tragedy on set and the entertainment industry covers it all up. Unable to escape his past the actor ends up making the same mistakes that were made with Gordy, his childhood chimp co-star. The Haywood family has a history of working with horses for the big Hollywood screen. When a bizarre tragedy befalls the head of the household, Otis Haywood, he leaves behind a son and daughter. Emerald is an ambitious young woman looking to make a name for herself. A career outside the ranch. Oj Haywood understands his horses and trains them well, yet he is socially awkward. Anxiety keeps him from being heard while advising the film staff and big stars. As expected from a director and staff, who are self absorbed and on a time crunch, they ignore Oj who they hired to be their expert animal wrangler. Later placing blame on Oj’s shoulders when things go wrong. Everything ties in together, coming full circle at its conclusion.