Pinocchio Walt Disney Signature Edition
Blu-ray l DVD
Directors: Ben Sharpsteen, Hamilton Luske, Bill Roberts, Norman Ferguson, Jack Kinney, Wilfred Jackson, T. Hee
Screenwriters: Ted Sears, Otto Englander, Webb Smith, William Cottrell, Joseph Sabo, Erdman Penner, Aurelius Battaglia
Cast: Cliff Edwards, Dickie Jones, Christian Rub, Mel Blanc, Walter Catlett, Charles Judels, Evelyn Venable, Frankie Darro
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios
Rated G | 88 Minutes
Release Date: January 31, 2017

The “I’ve got no strings on me” lyric has been popularized thanks in part to the dawn of wireless headphones, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and proclaiming you are not someone’s puppet. But Pinocchio‘s themes of sincere honesty and wishing upon stars remain true today.

Now Walt Disney’s timeless classic gets a new Blu-ray today with the release of the Walt Disney Signature Edition. Not only is the picture quality higher and sharper than ever before, but there are also new features to check out about the film’s history, its impact on pop culture, deleted scenes and much more. Check out what kind of features you can expect to see below.

The film centers on the title character, Pinocchio, a wooden puppet carved by his toymaking father, Geppetto. Geppetto hopes that he can have a real son of his own one day and when the Blue Fairy grants his wish, he couldn’t be happier. However, there are caveats. He is alive but still a puppet, so in order for him to become a real boy he must display a sincere act of honesty and selflessness.

The coming of age tale is timeless and its themes still hold true today. We see Pinocchio constantly experiencing new things and trying new vices, all of which prevent him from achieving his ultimate goal. He will be put on the right path with the help of Jiminy Cricket, who will act as his conscience. But, Jiminy, himself is not without fault, as he too makes mistakes. All of this proving that we are all human, yet have the capacity to redeem ourselves should that opportunity come.

The three-disc Blu-ray has all kinds of special features that dive into the film’s history and its lasting impact. The “Exclusive Cine-Explore” feature is a picture-in-picture feature that discusses the film and what it has done for animation and pop culture. Those who love the animation process itself, will be giddy about the original storyboards, stills, and archive footage.

Animator Eric Goldberg, Leonard Maltin, and J.B. Kaufman provide audio commentary just like any traditional audio commentary you would see in any Blu-ray feature.

Interactivity features to check out are “Movie Mail,” which allow fans to distribute personalized voice messages that have been superimposed over the top of pre-selected film clips. Compete with friends and family in “Movie Challenge,” a trivia game that runs alongside the movie.

“No Strings Attached” is more or less the same behind-the-scenes feature we have seen about the film. The 56-minute documentary gets into the film’s legacy and the restoration work that keeps the timeless classic ageless.

The “Deleted Scenes” only exist in storyboard form, but give us a look at what was edited out. You’ll also be able to listen to the deleted song “Honest John” on the “Deleted Songs” feature.

“Geppettos Then and Now” is an 11-minute glimpse of the history of toymaking. “Live Action Reference Footage” is a silent behind-the-scenes look at the facial expressions that were used to give the characters emotions.

There are plenty of other features to look at from an art gallery of the film’s production stills, concept art, storyboards, drawings, design work, and reference photographs. To a music video for “When You Wish Upon a Star” with singer Meaghan Jette Martin. Play games with the family with “Pleasure Island Carnival Games.” However, this isn’t that great of a feature considering the shoddy controls.

All in all, the Pinocchio Walt Disney Signature Edition Blu-ray is something that I am glad to have in my collection, and something that I would happily show when some of the younger members of the family show up.

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