Disney+’s Pinocchio manages to capture many of the same charms as the 1940 original, but some aspects of its ending are unclear on the surface. Pinocchio is the latest of Disney’s live-action remakes of their animated features, and it manages to succeed where past remakes have failed by embracing the uniqueness of the source material rather than focusing on hyperrealism. In the case of Pinocchio, this involves an action-packed adventure for the titular puppet as he matures to learn right from wrong in his quest to become a real boy. Though this makes for an entertaining viewing experience, all the events packed into the ending of Pinocchio can lead to questions.
This rendition of Pinocchio (one of two to premiere in 2022) follows the plot of the animated original fairly closely. After wishing on a star, lonely woodcarver Geppetto’s puppet Pinocchio comes to life. The Blue Fairy, who grants Geppetto’s wish, promises Pinocchio will become a real boy with the stipulation that he acts selfless, truthful, and brave. Though Pinocchio has good intentions, he is often separated from his conscience, personified by Jiminy Cricket, which leads him to get into plenty of shenanigans. Rather than following his father’s wishes and going to school, Pinocchio joins Stromboli’s puppet show with dreams of becoming famous. However, Pinocchio’s time with Stomboli soon turns sour when Pinocchio is locked in a cage, which he is freed from by Jiminy Cricket. Though Pinocchio is able to escape Stromboli, he still manages to get into plenty of trouble.
Things quickly hit the fan for Pinocchio, Jiminy Cricket, and Geppetto at the end of Pinocchio. After escaping Stromboli, Pinocchio is convinced by the Coachman to go to Pleasure Island, where misbehavior is encouraged. However, once Pinocchio and the other children arrive at Pleasure Island, it is quickly revealed that the island has a nefarious agenda that turns the kids into donkeys. Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket are able to flee the isle, but not before Pinocchio begins to transform as well. The two attempt to return home only to find that Geppetto has gone out to sea in search of Pinocchio, so they in turn rush to find Geppetto. With such an action-filled ending, some details undoubtedly might slip through the cracks. Here is the ending of Disney's live-action remake of Pinocchio explained.
Why Does Pleasure Island Turn Children Into Donkeys?
While Pinocchio is on Pleasure Island, it is revealed that the island’s purpose is to turn the children into donkeys and sell them to the salt-mines, which is one of the more bizarre events that occur at the end of Pinocchio. It is not explicitly stated in Disney+’s Pinocchio why this is, but since this is a remake of Disney’s 1940 original, it stands to reason that the explanation given in that version would likely apply to its remake. In the animated Pinocchio, the Coachman states that left to their own devices, boys make “jackasses” of themselves. The children’s transformations in both movies reveal that he means this literally. The children’s transformations into donkeys at the end of Pinocchio are a result of their misbehavior on Pleasure Island.
Why Pinocchio Is The Only One Cured In The Movie
Although the other children on Pleasure Island are shown transforming fully into donkeys at the end of the live-action Disney remake, Pinocchio escapes Pleasure Island with only donkey ears and a tail. Pinocchio’s case is significant, because he is the only one on Pleasure Island shown being cured and lose his donkey parts at the end of the movie. Pinocchio’s ability to lose his donkey parts when the other children did not is one of the more unclear aspects of Pinocchio’s ending. Though the movie does not explicitly state why Pinocchio is cured when the other children are not, there is a reason for why this happened.
At the end of Pinocchio, the titular puppet is reunited with Fabiana and Sabina, two of his friends from Stromboli’s puppet show. They inform Pinocchio that Stromboli has been arrested for his cruelty towards his employees and that they are taking over the puppet show. Fabiana and Sabina invite Pinocchio to join them in the new show, but he declines to save his father (played in Pinocchio by Tom Hanks). After turning down their offer, Pinocchio loses his donkey ears and tail. This is the first time in the movie that Pinocchio turned down temptation and misbehavior, which is something that the other children were not able to do. Pinocchio’s choice to avoid temptation is what allowed him to lose his donkey parts and return to his original state.
Did Pinocchio Become a Real Boy?
The biggest driving force behind the plot of Disney+’s Pinocchio is the Blue Fairy’s promise to turn Pinocchio into a human child if he is able to remain true, brave, and unselfish. Despite his misadventures throughout the movie, Pinocchio is able to embody those characteristics by the end of the Disney remake through the selfless act of saving Geppetto’s life. At the end of Pinocchio, Jiminy Cricket gives a final monologue, and he maintains a sense of ambiguity regarding whether Pinocchio becomes human. The question remains: does Pinocchio become a “real boy” at the end of the movie? Though Jiminy Cricket states that it is unclear if or when Pinocchio becomes a “real boy,” the movie shows a close-up of Pinocchio’s leg taking on a more human appearance, suggesting he does become a real human after all. However, Jiminy Cricket affirms at the end of the movie that whether the puppet come to life does become human, he is real in his heart, and that is what matters the most at the end of the day.
The Real Meaning of Pinocchio's Ending
The true meaning of Disney+’s Pinocchio remake deviates from the original animated classic. Whereas the 1940 version of Pinocchio focuses on the importance of knowing right from wrong and obeying rules, the 2022 remake is about being true to oneself rather than giving into the lure of temptation and external validation. Being rejected at school for being a puppet sent Pinocchio into a spiral of wrongdoing as he is lured into misbehaving by people who seem to accept him. Giving into these temptations consistently leads to negative consequences for Pinocchio. Once Pinocchio begins listening to his conscience and being true to himself, he and his loved ones are able to prosper at the end of the movie. This is why Jiminy Cricket’s proclamation at the end of Pinocchio that Pinocchio is a “real boy” whether he becomes human is so significant: being true to oneself is more powerful and validating than any physical transformation ever could be.