Disney’s only perfect animated film, according to Rotten Tomatoes

Is there a perfect Disney animated movie? In our minds it definitely reflects personal tastes. For some, it could be a classic like “One Hundred and One Dalmatians,” or a more recent entry like the refreshing and poignant “Zootopia.” There are many emotions to be found in between – and beyond – as the central emotions associated with a personal favorite Disney animated film are nostalgia and catharsis. However, if we use the perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes as a measure, “Pinocchio” from the 1940s is Disney’s only animated film (as opposed to live-action films or hybrid entries). 100% on the tomato scale.

If we look at the history of Disney animation, we will find that the main sources of inspiration were classic fairy tales and children’s novels, such as those that gave birth to “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” or “The Little Mermaid”. However, these adaptations were not always honest, as some of the darker elements were reworked into themes deemed more palatable to children, who were the primary demographic towards which these tales were directed. Moral lessons were generally associated with tales of whimsy and personal growth, with some of the moral complexities simplified for a more cathartic experience. Carlo Collodi’s 1883 novel The Adventures of Pinocchio underwent a similar adaptation. 1940 version of “Pinocchio” Much less dangerous than its source.

But that doesn’t mean “Pinocchio” doesn’t delve into it Some dark elements in Collodi’s book. Consider the basic premise: a wooden doll carved by an artist longs to be a “real” boy, and this journey of self-discovery and examination exposes Pinocchio to cruel and exploitative forces. The concept of a doll brought to life is a physical horror in itself, but Pinocchio’s dream of embodying the qualities of a “real” boy is, unfortunately, It comes with mindless expectations of obedience at the expense of autonomy. Furthermore, Pinocchio must also learn the discernment to understand what it truly means to be “brave, honest and selfless”, and rescue his maker/father Geppetto to prove his worth. So, how does the 1940 version address these themes?

Not every story requires a narrator, but Jiminy Cricket is An essential aspect of “Pinocchio” How the story is told. He introduces us to woodworker Geppetto and his pets, who help lay a charming and humorous foundation for a film that will take a dark turn very soon, starting with a wooden Pinocchio coming to life. Disney’s Pinocchio is nothing like Collodi’s version: he is not violent or prone to outbursts, but rather innocent and pure-hearted, as opposed to being annoyingly cruel and selfish. The real horrors begin when puppet master Stromboli reveals his true colors, transforming from a seemingly caring benefactor into a brutally cruel exploiter who pushes Pinocchio into a cage when no one expects it. It’s heartbreaking to witness a child – wooden or not – suffer something so traumatic while feeling trapped in a world lurking by ill-intentioned forces.

And it’s getting worse. Pinocchio’s journey to self-realization was not only full of obstacles, but also dangerous stages that might change his life. The trickster fox Gunst John and his friend Gideon the cat convince him to go to Pleasure Island, a terrible place where ill-mannered boys are sent, who eventually turn into… Donkeys. If that’s not terrifying enough, Jiminy discovers that the mutant boys are being sold into slave labor, completing the process of dehumanization and loss of autonomy. “Pinocchio” emphasizes these twisted and extreme interpretations of punishment and control, where the intent is to harm under the guise of corrective measures, draining the world of any joy or innocence. This is a dark and disturbing story, no matter how you choose to approach and analyze it.

However, is there light at the end of the tunnel? Yes. After defeating Monstro the whale, saving Geppetto, and being reborn as a true boy, Pinocchio finally returns home, surrounded by his loved ones. Everything is fine, or so it seems.

Obviously, this timeless tale has been retold in different shades and capacities, including in The bizarre and amazing stop-motion marvel Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, And in the (awesome) Steampunk Souls-like video game, “Lies of P.” No matter how you approach this story, the basic idea seems to be that empathy and humanity can be learned, and a wooden doll can always become a real boy if he tries sincerely enough.