Watched on Netflix

Stop-motion fans have a good reason to be grateful to Netflix this year. "Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio", one of the year's top films, is available now.

There are big names galore here - both in front of and behind the camera. Not only did the Mexican director, who enjoys world fame for films like "Shape of Water", the "Hellboy" movies or "Pacific Rim" direct the whole thing. He wrote the screenplay with Patrick McHale, creator of the cult series "Over the Garden Wall". The famous Jim Henson Company, which is associated with puppet animation like no other, was involved in the production. And then there are the numerous acting stars who lent their voices to Pinocchio. Among others, Ewan McGregor, Christoph Waltz, Tilda Swinton and Cate Blanchett can be heard - although many will certainly only recognise the latter through the credits, as her voice has been alienated in an animalistic way.

But there are also alienations in the content, at least in comparison to the well-known original by Carlo Collodi. For example, del Toro moved the plot of the serialised story, which was published in 1881, to fascist Italy in the 1930s. War plays a role again and again, similar to his grandiose fantasy drama "Pan's Labyrinth" or "The Devil's Backbone", the Mexican filmmaker combines war horrors, fairy tales and coming-of-age elements to create a very special work. This is considerably darker than most adaptations based on the adventures of Pinocchio. This version begins with a bomb attack similar to "The Devil's Backbone" and Geppetto's alcoholism. Later, too, there will always be dark passages in which, for example, death plays a major role.

At the same time, there are also relaxed passages in which Pinocchio relies on humour or sings songs. But even then, you shouldn't expect a Disney remake; the basic darkness remains. It is no wonder that Guillermo del Toro had to struggle for many years to raise the money for his heart's project. But it was well spent. The whole film has the charm of the handmade, when a world of its own has been brought to life at great expense. What doesn't work quite as well is the moral at the end, which somewhat clashes with the development shown. This aspect should have been pursued much more consistently. But despite the small shortcoming: the long wait was worth it, "Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio" is a real animation highlight, which will hopefully be awarded at the Oscars.