Geppetto

By James Poniewozik

It's no insult to Drew Carey to note that he can't exactly sing or act. Indeed, that's his appeal. You gotta love the lunky guy, bluffing his way through this new musical version of Pinocchio and acting as if he owns the screen. Surround him with actual singers and actors and require him to emote, and our generosity is tested. But Carey is bolstered by a jovially hammy production, with music composed by Stephen Schwartz (Pocahontas). It's testimony to modern adults' pop-psych self-absorption that Disney has recast the story around the puppetmaker dad's parenting issues. At least they picked a charming guy to pull the strings.

--By James Poniewozik