Geppetto (Martin Landau) is a lonely puppetmaker whose wooden creations
are the only family he knows.
Years ago, he and his sweetheart Leona (Genevieve Bujold) carved their names
into the trunk of an old pine tree in Hidden Valley. But Geppetto was unable
to declare his love, and Leona married his brother instead. Now, the magic
of Hidden Valley is about to change Geppetto's life.
One day, as he is traveling through the forest, a log from that forgotten
tree-trunk finds its way into his wheel barrel. Surprised by this mystical
offering, he is inspired to carve his most wondrous masterpiece - a puppet
he lovingly names Pinocchio (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), who magically begins
to walk and talk!
The next day, Geppetto shows an awestruck Pinocchio the city and introduces
his creation to his one true love, Leona. But during this unforgettable
stroll, the stringless puppet captures the attention of the evil showman
Lorenzini (Udo Kier) and his cohorts in crime - Felinet (Bebe Neuwirth)
and the dim-witted Volpe (Rob Schneider).
Lorenzini immediately recognizes the value of the treasure that has been
created. He decides he must have Pinocchio at any cost and offers to buy
Geppetto's marvelous puppet. But the woodcutter refuses to sell Pinocchio,
who has become like a son to him. Meanwhile Pinocchio, determined to be
a real boy, sets out on the kind of adventurous exploration one expects
of small children. He follows Lampwick (Corey Carrier) and his classmates
to school, where he joins the class and proceeds to get into a boisterous
brawl.
when Pinocchio lies to the teacher, he discovers to his horror that with
each new lie, his nose grows longer and longer. The sixteen-foot nose wreaks
havoc in the classroom, and Pinocchio is quickly tossed out of school.
More trouble ensues when he playfully indulges his appetite at a local bakery.
Pursued by the baker and his enraged wife, he topples carts and sends pastries
flying. That night, Pinocchio is visited by his conscience, a witty, wisecracking
cricket named Pepe (the voice of David Doyle) who has been sent to teach
him the difference between right and wrong.
Unfortunately Pepe's warnings come too late. Arrested and ordered to make
restitution for the damage his puppet has caused the baker and his wife,
Geppetto is forced to give up his prized possession to Lorenzini, who pays
the fine and makes off with Pinocchio.
At first, Pinocchio revels in being the star of Lorenzini's puppet extravaganza,
until he learns that the showman plans to burn all of Geppetto's puppets
in a fiery finale. He manages to escape, rescuing his father's creations
in the process and leaving Lorenzini's famed puppet theatre in flames.
Taking refuge in the forest, Pinocchio encounters Felinet and Volpe, who
cheat him of his wages from the puppet theater by taking advantage of his
desperate desire to become a real boy. Tricked and betrayed, he then follows
Lampwick and his companions to Terra Magica, a seemingly exciting amusement
park where the magical waters of Hidden Valley turn mischief-makers into
donkeys - to be sold at a premium by Lorenzini, the mastermind behind the
park for bad boys.
When Pinocchio leads the others in revolt, Lorenzini falls into the magical
waters and is transformed into a giant sea monster, and Pinocchio and his
friends find themselves embarking on the wildest adventure of their lives.
Copyright 1994-2008 Film Scouts LLC
Created, produced, and published by Film Scouts LLC
Film Scouts® is a registered trademark of Film Scouts LLC
All rights reserved.
