Buratino Movie Review: A Disappointing Adaptation

Why I'm Disappointed in Malvina's 'Buratino': A Missed Opportunity

summarizeEditor's Summary

I was stoked to check out Malvina's 'Buratino', but unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to our expectations. We'd shown my kid the old film about Buratino over the autumn break, and he was totally enthralled. But this new movie dragged on, and the decorations were way too dark for my taste. My kid's soft toy Buratino has been a favorite for months, but the movie's lackluster performance was a major letdown. I'm not sure what went wrong, but 'Buratino' felt like a missed opportunity. Despite its Russian roots, the movie failed to capture the magic of the book. If you're a fan of the original, you might want to give this one a pass.

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Hikaye3/10

Kalite4/10

Karakter3/10

Aktörler8/10

Görünüm2/10

I've gotta say, I'm pretty underwhelmed by Malvina's 'Buratino'. I mean, I was really looking forward to it, especially since my son loves the original fairy tale.

We actually showed him the old film about Buratino over the autumn break, and he was completely enthralled. He kept asking me to draw Buratino, and even wanted to find a stick outside to make a wooden friend. We even got him a soft toy Buratino for New Year's, and he's been carrying it around everywhere.

игрушка буратиноBut I digress. Back to the movie. I was expecting a lot more from 'Buratino', especially since it's a Russian film. But what I got was a pretty disappointing experience.

"Буратино" (2026, фильм)“Буратино” is a Russian musical fantasy film directed by Igor Voloshin, based on Alexei Tolstoy's fairy tale “The Golden Key, or The Adventures of Buratino”.

I'm a loyal moviegoer, and I don't go into new films with any preconceptions. I went to the cinema hoping to enjoy 'Buratino', and I was really looking forward to giving it a 5-star review.Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

Release Date: January 1, 2026

Buratino 2026 reviews I was really disappointed with the dark visuals. What's with the trend of making dark movies? The decorations are all dark, and there's not enough brightness in the shot. It looks awful. I mean, this is a kids' movie, rated 6+, and it's a fairy tale. Why make it so gloomy?

The second thing that bothered me is Buratino himself. The computer character could have been made more likable. He looks weird and unfinished. This isn't just my opinion - my husband, mom, and grandma all thought he looked scary.

I don't get why they couldn't have cast a live actor to play Buratino. Why force in all these modern technologies everywhere? Especially when it ends up looking so creepy and unnatural.

New Buratino reviews One interesting fact about Buratino:

For the 3D model of Buratino, the director's son was scanned. According to the director, he wanted the character to be like a multi-layered thing, with himself, his son with recognizable features, and Vasily Korolenko.

Now, my thoughts without numbering.

The movie has a confusing plot, and it's all over the place - slow and drawn out.

There's no real intrigue or dynamics.

The only character I liked in the new Buratino is fox Alice, played by Victoria Isakova. I like the actress in general, and here she fits really well into the role. She's playful, beautiful, and cunning.

Karabas Barabas, played by Fedor Bondarchuk, was a major letdown for me. I've got nothing against the actor, but here he was just unnecessary. Karabas Barabas is a completely unremarkable villain. And he's got a complex of being an unwanted kid.Malvina (Anastasia Talyzina) didn't impress me either. She's just dirty and unkempt. Sorry, but I don't know how else to put it. Her messy hair and smudged makeup are just off-putting to me – it's just awful.Basilio, played by Alexander Petrov, came across as pretty annoying and over-the-top.Duromar (Lev Zulcarneav) was also kind of weird here.

Tortilla the Turtle, played by Svetlana Nemolyaeva, didn't impress me either.

I have to give a shoutout to Papa Carlo, played by Alexander Yatsenko. He's probably the most reminiscent of a Soviet film hero.

Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes

That's way too long, if you ask me. From the get-go, I thought the movie was dragging on. I was waiting for it to finally end.

Some critics might say there's depth, a subtext, and that it tackles important issues. But to me, it's just shallow and boring. It doesn't evoke any emotions.

Scene from the cinema, the 2026 Burotin film Not even the familiar music from the old Burotin film could save this one.

I love movies that leave a lasting impression, make me think, or just plain entertain me. Movies that I'd want to rewatch every year. But this new Burotin film? It's a one-trick pony, a waste of time and resources.

My Verdict:

This movie is shallow and boring. I'd even call it depressing, thanks to the dark sets and downbeat actors.

They should've just left it in development hell. I mean, to justify the budget?

Don't waste your time or money on this one. Trust me, you won't regret it.

Thanks for reading!

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live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is 'Buratino' suitable for young children?

While the movie has some lighthearted moments, the dark decorations and slow pacing might make it unsuitable for very young kids. However, older kids who love the original fairy tale might still enjoy it.

Does the movie stay true to the original book?

Unfortunately, the movie fails to capture the magic of the book. If you're a fan of the original, you might want to give this one a pass.

What's the movie's runtime like?

The movie is a decent length for a family movie night, but it might feel too long for some viewers.

Are there any redeeming qualities to the movie?

Yes, the movie has some catchy musical numbers and decent visuals. However, these aren't enough to save the movie from its overall lackluster performance.

Can I return the movie if I'm not satisfied?

Yes, you can return the movie if you're not satisfied with your purchase. However, please check the return policy before making a purchase.

Is the movie available in any other formats?

Yes, the movie is available in DVD and digital formats. However, please check the availability in your region before making a purchase.

Can I stream the movie online?

Yes, you can stream the movie online through various platforms. However, please check the availability in your region before making a purchase.

Is the movie suitable for kids with disabilities?

Yes, the movie is suitable for kids with disabilities. However, please check the accessibility features before making a purchase.

check_circlePros

•The movie has some catchy musical numbers that might appeal to younger viewers.
•The visuals are decent, with some nice animation sequences.
•My kid enjoyed the movie's lighthearted moments, even if I didn't.
•The film's themes of perseverance and friendship are still relevant today.
•The movie's length makes it suitable for a family movie night.
•The soundtrack has some nice Russian folk influences.
•It's got some nice animation that'll keep your kid engaged.
•The movie's not a total loss – it's got some redeeming qualities.

cancelCons

•The story is way too long and meanders through unnecessary plot points.
•The decorations are way too dark and might be scary for younger kids.
•My kid's favorite character, Buratino, is pretty underwhelming in the movie.
•The movie's failure to capture the spirit of the book is a major letdown.
•The pacing is slow and might put some viewers to sleep.
•The movie's lack of depth makes it feel shallow and unengaging.
•It's just not as good as the original book.
•The movie's too long and boring at times.

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