If you are Italian, then you perfectly know what's wrong with this movie: recitation and accent; characters; location and timing (too much sun) and finally the plot is really too simple. Benigni has nothing to do with Pinocchio (a kid!!!) There is a movie that you should use as a reference; of course, this movie is NOT the Disney movie but the classic Italian TV movie done back in the 70s, with an excellent Nino Manfredi featuring Geppetto and a perfect Pinocchio (see IMDb: tt0068243). If you are not Italian and you haven't ever watch it, then rent it or buy it in Amazon. You will not regret the money you pay and the time spent in watching it. Beware! There are two versions: movie and the full TV version (in 2 DVDs).The latter is strongly recummended.
Subtitles are of course essential to catch the original voices without missing a single word. You'll feel the cold that is everywhere in the little village where Geppetto lives. You'll feel the very same loneliness that Geppetto is feeling and his joy when he find a wood good enough to create a puppet. Believe me. Watch it and then go back to this movie: you'll then understand why the critics have been so severe
Subtitles are of course essential to catch the original voices without missing a single word. You'll feel the cold that is everywhere in the little village where Geppetto lives. You'll feel the very same loneliness that Geppetto is feeling and his joy when he find a wood good enough to create a puppet. Believe me. Watch it and then go back to this movie: you'll then understand why the critics have been so severe