Among the strangest animated films of the 1980s, and one of the unlikeliest of sequels, is “Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night,” a product courtesy of Filmation.
Any child of the ‘80s worth their Mr. T cereal knows the Filmation logo and their extensive output during the decade, most notably producing “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” and “She-Ra: Princess of Power” (1985-1987).
Filmation gave a theatrical release to “He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword” (1985), which was really a combo of televised episodes (in the same way “The Looney Looney Looney Bugs Bunny Movie” and “Go-Bots: Battle of the Rock Lords” are televised episodes fused together).
Directed by Hal Sutherland, the 1987 “Emperor of the Night” is a weird affair from top to bottom....