STORYLINE: We follow James as his grandfather, Geppetto, introduces him to a seemingly magical doll to become best friends. However, unaware of Pinocchio’s naive nature, as James introduces him to the world it results in the doll going on a crusade to eliminate all things “bad.” (IMDb)

   In 1940 Pinocchio made his feature film debut, in the Disney animated classic. In 2022, Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio, which is the far better feature film, made its bow in cinemas. This hot July weekend Pinocchio Unstrung, scares its way on to the silver screen, as a live action, slasher Pinocchio feature film.

    With releases such as Friday the 13th (1980), A Nightmare On Elm St (1984), Sleepaway Camp (1983), and Halloween II (1981) slasher films hit their peak in the eighties.  Though in 1996, Scream seemed to thrust the genre back into the mainstream.  Pinocchio Unstrung falls short of the mainstream cinema, with box office competition from the  blockbuster juggernaut The Odyssey.  Still a new slasher film, even if it’s a small summer release, has the potential for blockbuster entertainment. 

   All the ingredients, that make up a classic slasher film, are on full display in this horror flick.  There are gruesome, and over the top deaths. The movie features cheesy one liners, and I love these one liners. Of course, a killer is running wild.   This film takes a classic, family friendly tale, and injects it with those classic slasher tropes.

   What’s the final result?  A slightly cheesy, slightly goth horror film that’s not so fun for the family, but kinda fun for horror fans.  Pinocchio Unstrung is slightly reminiscent of the 2023 horror film Megan. Instead of an AI doll killing because of an obsession with a human, it’s Pinocchio.

    Pinocchio Unstrung is a very short eighty three minutes. That’s plenty of enjoyable minutes for the story.  Thays good because the story cannot support much more of a runtime, and that’s about how long it yppk me to mindlessly ray my snack, and I would of lost interest quicker.   Please don’t misinterpret that last comment. I still enjoyed the corny dialogue, and some of the gruesome moments.

    Pinocchio Unstrung takes the classic Pinocchio story abd turns it into a quick 83 minute slasher flick.  

    Until next time, I will see you at the movies!