From Movieweb:

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is full to the brim with energy, charm, and color. It’s almost ironic, as this version of the film, which is actually animated, has so much more personality and feels so much more real than the Disney live-action version. Stop-motion animation can be hard to get right, but this film features some of the most beautiful uses of the medium to ever grace the screen. Whether it be the immense detail etched into the texture of everything, the elaborate movements of the characters, or the intricate twinges of emotion on the characters’ faces, every aspect of the animation is truly awe-inspiring.  The film is so meticulously crafted that you can’t help but be blown away by it all. The stunning cinematography and lighting only help to accentuate just how beautiful the film is. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is one of the most striking and well-crafted films of the year.

Care and effort are put into the screenplay, as it is crafted into an emotionally resonant and complex story It respects the source material from Carlo Collodi while still bringing new life and ideas to it. One of the story threads that stands out as a major change is the decision to set the story during amidst the rise of fascism in Europe in the lead-up to the Second World War. The team behind the film knew that the heart of the Pinocchio story is a conversation about what it means to be human, and by including the fascist regime of Mussolini in the film, they are able to play even further into those themes with a real-world sensibility.

Available on Netflix