Tom Hanks, one of Hollywood’s most versatile and respected actors, has managed to captivate audiences with characters that span a wide emotional spectrum. Throughout his career, he has portrayed figures ranging from the brave hero to the ambiguous being, with a capacity for reinvention that has led him to work with filmmakers from various generations.
Of all his collaborations, his relationship with Disney holds a very special place, as the actor has been part of some of the studio’s most iconic projects.
Despite his many successful roles, Hanks has been critical of the trend of overanalyzing classic Disney films from a philosophical or ideological perspective. In his opinion, what makes these films so powerful is their ability to emotionally connect with audiences, beyond any intellectual analysis.
In this sense, Pinocchio stands out as his favorite film in the Disney catalog, a work that, for him, not only has great technical mastery but also a brave and profound narrative.
An approach to narrative value
Hanks has expressed his skepticism towards attempts to interpret Disney movies through philosophical or ideological lenses. Although he acknowledges that these films can lead to complex readings, for him the most important thing is Disney’s ability to tell universal stories that move the viewer.
The key to their success lies in how they manage to evoke emotions and connect with the audience, without resorting to complicated theories about society or collective psychology. According to Hanks, from the linear stories of Disney’s early days to the more introspective narratives of recent productions like Inside Out and Soul, what remains is a genuine emotional connection with the audience.
Toy Story and its influence on animation
One of Hanks’ most relevant projects with Disney is the successful Toy Story saga, where he plays the cowboy Woody.
This series revolutionized digital animation and set new standards in children’s and family cinema, addressing complex themes such as friendship, abandonment, and loss.
Even filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino have praised the third installment of the saga, describing it as “magnificent” and emotionally devastating. However, Tarantino also acknowledged that the fourth installment did not generate the same enthusiasm for him, as he considered that Toy Story 3 perfectly concluded the story.
Pinocchio, a movie with narrative courage
Despite his love for Toy Story, Hanks surprised everyone by declaring that his favorite Disney movie is Pinocchio, released in 1940.
Based on Carlo Collodi’s classic tale, Pinocchio is known for its dark tone and deep metaphors. Hanks highlighted how captivating, moving, and tense the story is, focusing on how the protagonist faces the loss of innocence. According to the actor, Walt Disney understood that the darker aspects of fairy tales were crucial to creating stories that resonated with both children and adults.
In Pinocchio, the young protagonist leaves his father Geppetto’s home and is drawn to characters like Stromboli, leading him into a world full of moral traps.
One of the scenes that impacted Hanks the most was Pinocchio’s transformation into a donkey, a moment that symbolizes his loss of humanity by succumbing to hedonism and disobedience. Hanks described this scene as “a terrifying experience” and commented that the film does not shy away from showing punishment and anguish as essential elements on the path to maturity.