There is a lot to like about the 'Faerie Tale Theatre' series. Many of their adaptations of various well-known and well-loved fairy tales are charming, clever and sometimes funny, a few even emotionally moving. 'Faerie Tale Theatre' puts its own magical spin on the best of the episodes while still capturing the essence of the stories, while also giving further enjoyments in seeing talented performers in early roles or in roles that are departures from their usual roles.
Although it is a decent episode and adaptation, personally was expecting more from "Pinocchio". Out of all the fairy-tales/stories that 'Faerie Tale Theatre' adapted, Carlo Collodi's 'Pinocchio' is up there with my favourites. It is a dark story but a highly imaginative one, was also surprised at how easy and accessible a read it is, having read it in one sitting on a long train journey.
Certainly didn't dislike 'Faerie Tale Theatre's' take, far from it. Just was expecting more, considering that before this episode there were gems like "Hansel and Gretel", "The Princess and the Pea", "Rumpelstiltskin" and "Little Red Riding Hood". It is more faithful to the book than Disney's version (an animated masterpiece and one of my favourites), most 'Faerie Tale Theatre's' adaptations are more faithful than their Disney counterparts, but lacks that film's magic, charm, quality of production values and emotional wallop.
Not everything works here. The biggest flaw for me was Paul Ruebens, far too shrill and overdoes it badly in the title role. There is very little sense of a character who grows, instead one only sees Pee Wee Herman but actually irritating rather than funny. Some of the accents are hokey at times, and a few parts are muddled and meandering.
However the rest of the acting, accents aside, is not bad at all. Carl Reiner's sincere Geopetto, Lainie Kazan's luminous and sassy Blue Fairy and James Coburn's malevolent Gypsy, living up to his "evil" name, are actually great even.
Liked that it was pretty faithful (several recognisable elements) and a straight-forward telling. Also that it was played straight rather than infused with camp humour and innuendos that would have felt misplaced for this particular story. Most of the story is compelling with the darkness intact while not being too disturbing for younger audiences.
Production values are good, being both picturesque and atmospheric. Best costume? The Blue Fairy's. The music has jaunty energy and haunting atmosphere. The writing is serious and straight at times but doesn't forget to let go at appropriate times and have fun.
In summary, patchy but decent. Considering my love for the story, there was the hope that "Pinocchio" would be one of the gems of 'Faerie Tale Theatre', instead while far from bad it's one of 'Faerie Tale Theatre's' lesser episodes. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Although it is a decent episode and adaptation, personally was expecting more from "Pinocchio". Out of all the fairy-tales/stories that 'Faerie Tale Theatre' adapted, Carlo Collodi's 'Pinocchio' is up there with my favourites. It is a dark story but a highly imaginative one, was also surprised at how easy and accessible a read it is, having read it in one sitting on a long train journey.
Certainly didn't dislike 'Faerie Tale Theatre's' take, far from it. Just was expecting more, considering that before this episode there were gems like "Hansel and Gretel", "The Princess and the Pea", "Rumpelstiltskin" and "Little Red Riding Hood". It is more faithful to the book than Disney's version (an animated masterpiece and one of my favourites), most 'Faerie Tale Theatre's' adaptations are more faithful than their Disney counterparts, but lacks that film's magic, charm, quality of production values and emotional wallop.
Not everything works here. The biggest flaw for me was Paul Ruebens, far too shrill and overdoes it badly in the title role. There is very little sense of a character who grows, instead one only sees Pee Wee Herman but actually irritating rather than funny. Some of the accents are hokey at times, and a few parts are muddled and meandering.
However the rest of the acting, accents aside, is not bad at all. Carl Reiner's sincere Geopetto, Lainie Kazan's luminous and sassy Blue Fairy and James Coburn's malevolent Gypsy, living up to his "evil" name, are actually great even.
Liked that it was pretty faithful (several recognisable elements) and a straight-forward telling. Also that it was played straight rather than infused with camp humour and innuendos that would have felt misplaced for this particular story. Most of the story is compelling with the darkness intact while not being too disturbing for younger audiences.
Production values are good, being both picturesque and atmospheric. Best costume? The Blue Fairy's. The music has jaunty energy and haunting atmosphere. The writing is serious and straight at times but doesn't forget to let go at appropriate times and have fun.
In summary, patchy but decent. Considering my love for the story, there was the hope that "Pinocchio" would be one of the gems of 'Faerie Tale Theatre', instead while far from bad it's one of 'Faerie Tale Theatre's' lesser episodes. 7/10 Bethany Cox
