Pinocchio 3000 (2003) User Reviews

Nice animation, shame about the plot

[meejaboy · 4/10 · 24 January 2005]

The idea behind this updated version of the classic story is excellent, turning Pinocchio into a robot boy who longs to be human. Backing this up is some great computer-generated animation that stands up to competition from Pixar hits such as Toy Story. However, the story is woefully thin and the voice talents of Whoopi Goldberg and Malcolm McDowell can't add anything to a predictable plot. Most of the comedy relies on physical humour by Mayor Stromboli's two stupid robot sidekicks, which is funny for the first five minutes. The moral of the story is presented in a heavy-handed way and there are no in-jokes to keep the parents happy, so repeat viewing by your young ones will become very dull, very quickly. Strictly one for the kids.

I'm Afraid Not

[zsofikam · 3/10 · 25 September 2018]

Like Once Upon A Time in the West, Pinocchio 3000 is an idea that could have worked but simply doesn't. That's not to say that it's horrible; there are some redeeming qualities. I like the idea of adapting old stories such as this for a futuristic setting (think Treasure Planet), it just wasn't done well here. Pinocchio himself looks very awkward with a realistic mouth on an otherwise metallic head and several other characters look similarly awkward. Scamboli (or is it Scamboni, I couldn't tell) appears to have toilet plungers on his head and there was no reason for the fairy to have that weird seahorse-ish lower half. The dialogue is mostly subpar and sometimes painful, while also raising too many questions such as in the scene where Pinocchio and Marlene are seeing who can imagine more and Marlene gets the medal yet Pinocchio is able to calculate that he imagined more, although I did kind of like the ant-arctica joke. I won't go into too much detail but there's quite a lot of things in this movie raise more questions than they answer. The voice acting for Scamboli was surprisingly good but everyone else has an annoying voice. I'd suggest AI for a much better take on Pinocchio-as-a-robot. I also wouldn't mind seeing Unit 12 get a movie.

A so-so movie

[nldxyz · 5/10 · 29 August 2009]

This movie's not really as bad as people say it is, but it's nothing great either. First of all, it has stunning visuals, especially for something done with light wave. Also, the idea was admirable enough. However, I felt that there was no feeling put into this. I felt no heart, no soul and no wit, just a cheap cash plug. Also, as another before me has said, the story is predictable and flat and the characters are stale too.

Here's something the writers need to realize. Stunning visuals are only good when they're backed up by actual effort. Overall, it's not horrible, it's just not exactly good either. It's average.

Beautiful visuals, but dull

[TheLittleSongbird · 5/10 · 20 September 2011]

Pinocchio 3000 is not a bad movie as such, in fact I found the concept quite interesting. It does look beautiful for instance, the colours are plentiful and not too flat, the character designs are not too blocky and the backgrounds are quite detailed. The music is also pleasant, and the voice acting from Whoopi Goldberg and particularly Malcolm MacDowell is excellent. The rest of the film though is rather dull, the story is too thin and very predictable sometimes, and the writing doesn't fare much better sadly either. The physical humour gets tired fairly quickly and the dialogue is rather banal and simplistic. The moral is played in a rather heavy-handed way and while the characters are well designed and voiced the writing disallows them to have any depth to them. All in all, not bad but in a sense a missed opportunity. 5/10 Bethany Cox

prety good

[unipandamovecritic · 5/10 · 5 March 2022]

This movie has many cool and intesing consepts but it dosent. Know how to use them. Some scenes felt. Unnecessary the environmentalist mesage whas pointles and was in this movie just becuse. The aimation is very good from a 2004 non american move (exept the trees and grass lossing texture when bicoming metal). Characters the are pretty genric and dull and the character disaning is GOD AFUL some thnigs could have been fixed Here and there so the story makes more sense. In the end pinochio 3000 felt like a missed oportunty but its not bad its a move for kids and it does its job at as a si fi pinocho farly well but if you want to wach a true si fi pinochio story jut go wach astro boy (any verson)

Spanish/Canadian/French co-production based on Carlo Collodi tale about the immortal character

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 8 January 2012]

This is the fantastic story of a little robot known as Pinocchio P3K .The year is 3000 , it happens in Scamboland ruled by a villain Mayor , Gepetto is an old inventor whose greatest ambition is to become Pinocchio to be a real boy . As he creates a Cyberrobot called Pinocchio and his wish is suddenly granted by a fairy named Cyberina. Geppetto, with the assistance of his faithful helper , uncle Spencer the cyber penguin, and by the unexpected appearance of holographic fairy Cyberina , manufactures Pinocchio . Spencer acts as Pinocchio's "conscience" and keep him out of trouble ,but he is not too successful in this endeavor and most of the film is spent with the little Cyberrobot deep in problem when he goes to Scamboland , an amusement park built by the nasty Mayor whose daughter befriends Pinoccio .But before he can be given a heart and become a real boy, Cyberina insists that Pinocchio learns the difference between right and wrong.

This is strictly a fantasy-Scifi story, not a parable or a full story about lying, although that obviously is one of the messages . There are several moral messages in here, so it's a worthwhile story for kids to see whose protagonist is a likable prototype superrobot equipped for emotions. A modern adaptation that takes us into topics looking at all times to emphasize the value of the natural and human feeling over the artificial and cyberspace.

No less important is the blatant environmental message for the care of green spaces within large cities, and criticism of boundless ambition, plunder and devastate human rights of others.

While the film has an addictive color and design graphics and 3D computer generator animation itself is extremely attractive, we are in presence of a film too simplistic and Manichean in his story to end. So, unfortunately, not much progress in achieving empathy and convey emotions that excite.

Therefore we are not in the presence of a film that will be remembered by its story , or that impacts their situations but at least it's an interesting tale that has as maximum virtue to retrofit intelligently a classic flick with elements of a future technology and cyberspace.

Other versions about this vintage story are the following : the best and classic ¨Walt Disney's Pinoccio¨ 1940 adaptation by Hamilton Luske and Ben Sharpsteen ; ¨1996 The adventures of Pinocchio¨ by Steve Barron with Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Martin Landau ; ¨ Pinocchio and Gepetto or New adventures of Pinocchio (1999)¨ by Michael Anderson with Udo Kier , Warwick Davis and Gabriel Thomson ¨Pinocchio, 2001¨ with Nicoletta Braschi and Roberto Benigni as the title role and also directed . Furthermor TV miniseries (1973) directed by Luigi Comencini with Nino Manfredi and ¨Tv Pinocchio¨(1976 with Sandy Duncan and Danny Kaye .

The salvation of mankind has been found in the visual medium

[lostguardiannexor · 10/10 · 16 June 2015]

Pinocchio 3000 is real, and beyond that, a spectacular ride through a beloved fairy tale, so on-point and crisp in retelling that it ascends both narrative and visual form. To say that the film is enlightening is foolish - it IS enlightenment. Watching this film, I understood the perils of the Buddha, the trials of Heracles, and the mighty blow that Zeus dealt against the titans. I saw through the robot penguin eyes of Uncle Spencer (Howie Mandel) and saw myself, my dreams and all I would be. Atonement is here, in the smug smile of Scamboli and the singing voice of Pinocchio. What's the difference between a robot and a man, indeed.

I'm not saying we should all watch this film - it is not for the weak of will, as looking into the holy void can lead to an endless madness should you delve too deep into Cyberina's grin. Pinocchio 3000 is a dangerous magic, but holy deliverance nonetheless.

excellent

[rossrobinson · 10/10 · 4 December 2004]

I thought Pinocchio 3000 was an excellent movie, Based on the Disney Movie Pinocchio, as this time this one is set in the future, for Pinocchio to be a robot instead of a wooden doll, i liked what was put into the movie as it was just like what the future would be like, cars, vans, etc: floating in the sky, everything that is set well into the future. In the year 3000, the 31st Century. Whoopi Goldburg is an excellent actress in my opinion, she has been for many decades. I never thought she would star in a movie that is animated and based on the same thing that's been made before. Overall i give this movie 10 out of 10 because i think it is fantastic. If i were you, go ahead and see this movie. You will be surprised with the difference.

I loved the flying cars, hoverboards in Pinocchio 3000.

[crosswalkx · 10/10 · 25 April 2013]

I love this movie. It has flying hovercars in the city Scamboville in the sky. There are Hoverboards Mayor Scamboli, Cabby and Rodo, and Marline ride on. This movie has flying car chase scenes and flying car crashes. Best of all it has 3D hologram projectors and advanced robots.

I enjoyed the music to Pinocchio 3000. Songs like "What's the difference?" and "Welcome to Scamboland" dance. I enjoyed the instrumental music to the movie. I also liked how funny the 2 sidekick robots were and the plot to the futuristic movie of Pinocchio. It even has a message for environment people about how we shouldn't tear down, trees, plants and grass. (similar to "The Lorax" movie remake or Wall-e) It's the year 2013 and we don't have hover technology or 3D hologram technology yet curse it. I want those hoverboards, flying hovercars and 3D hologram projectors they have in "Pinocchio 3000" and become a reality. Because I'm ready for it now. Meantime this movie "Pinocchio 3000" will inspire me to build a real hoverboard.

A Animated Blast. Pinoky Waxes Sci-Fi Futurism In 3000 A La Luc Besson

[johnstonjames · 8/10 · 18 January 2012]

normally i don't find CGI animated toons all that interesting. they seem common and factory made. usually i prefer the old technique of hand drawing in animation. it seems more honest and spontaneous to me. i liked this movie though. Disney's 'Pinocchio' is my favorite cartoon and one of my all time favorite movies. so i was pretty interested in this concept and had really wanted to see this. i wasn't disappointed. it was trippy entertainment and a definite amusement.

i guess i'm attracted to the Pinocchio story. i read Collodi's book a couple of times (once as a adult), and i can't say i was impressed by anything whimsical or even appealing. it's a pretty weird book with a lot of nagging moralizing. the original illustrations aren't even cute like Disney, they're actually kind of creepy. even though the literary merits of this story don't appeal to me, the character, when modified aesthetically, seems to interest me and his quest of right and wrong seems eternal and timeless.

this whole thing, however, didn't have much to do with the original story or Collodi. it didn't seem very Disney inspired either. good enough. nothing wrong with a fresh start. especially when dealing with a stodgy quagmire like Collodi's preachy kiddie book.

although having little or nothing to do with the original 'Pinocchio' storyline, there was a nice working of the Monstro the Whale character into the plot as sinister amusement park ride that turns thrill seeking little children into naughty little bots.

even though i don't respond much to CGI animated toons, i watch em just like any other animation fan. i was surprised at how elaborate the CGI effects were here and how well it competed with Disney and other major competitors on a artistic level if not commercial. it is also very accomplished for a CGI animated film made so early at the outset of the genre. i believe this film was made around 2001 or 003. it's pretty impressive for the time and still holds up when compared with recent CGI productions.

speaking of 2001, i thought it was amusing to note the similarities at times in this film to pay weird sci-fi homages like to Jordan Belson's light effects in '2001' and to the sci-fi imagery seen in Luc Besson's 'Fifth Element'. done remarkably well here too.

all in all this movie was a lot of fun and very amusing. it is also one of those rare kid flicks that deserves more attention and notoriety. it's sci-fi gimmick is effectively carried off and compliments the original character quite well. after all, Pinoky was always a automaton of sorts. man-made like a ASIMO.