Coco (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
'Coco' is a vibrant, heartwarming Pixar movie that explores a child's desire to be a musician, traditions of the Day of the Dead & the power of unconditional love. This film follows young Miguel Rivera (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez), a Mexican boy born into a family of 'zapateros' -- or shoemakers. For several generations, the Rivera's have imposed a ban on listening to or playing music because, nearly a hundred yrs. ago, Miguel's great-great-grandfather deserted his great-great-grandmama Imelda & their young daughter, Coco, to become a musician; Mama Coco is now in her 90s, the Rivera matriarch struggling with senility. But Miguel secretly plays the guitar & longs to become a musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), the long-dead singer from Miguel's hometown.
On the revered Day of the Dead {where families expect their ancestors to return from the beyond to mingle with them for one night -- whether or not you believe that this occurs, it's a lovely notion}, Miguel fights with his family, steals de la Cruz's guitar from his sacred crypt, is encouraged by his idol's motto of "do whatever is necessary to follow your dream", & is magically transported to the Land of the Dead. There, Miguel meets up with generations of his deceased relatives & learns that he can only return to the world of the living with a dead ancestor's blessing; and before dawn arrives.
Because great-great-grandmama Imelda (Alanna Ubach) bestows an unfortunate no-music clause into her blessing, Miguel flees from his skeletal relatives with his dog Dante and goes in search of the de la Cruz; whom he now believes to be his great-great-grandfather, and is considered an Elvis Presley-like icon in the Land of the Dead Along the way, Miguel teams up with Hector (Gael Garcia Bernal), a scheming, but good-natured skeleton who claims to know de la Cruz. But Hector will only help Miguel find de la Cruz if - upon returning to the land of the living - he can notifiy Hector's daughter of his spirit existence {so important for Hector, especially on the all-important Day of the Dead}. Adventure, revelations & tear-inducing drama ensues.
What a lovely, emotionally-moving Pixar entry this is. Credit must go to director Lee Unkrich (and co-director Adrian Molina), who aims to bring tears to our eyes; much the same way Unkrich did when he helmed Toy Story 3, among others. With its likeable child protagonist, animal sidekick & nasty villain, 'Coco' may be a bit predictable in the end; lacking some of the originality of a Wall-E or an Inside Out. But it is beautiful, full of heart, executed assuredly and, in my estimation, represents the best CGI-animated movie of 2017. The voice cast is nearly all Latino (and mostly Mexican) -- all great. I loved how Unkrich gives us an enriching glimpse into some of Mexico's culture. And the music -- Michael Giacchino's magical melodies + the tear-jerker "Remember Me" -- is incredibly effective, as well.
As for the titular Coco (Miguel's wheelchair-bound great-grandmama), her scenes with Miguel will likely make even the most jaded of viewer's grab a tissue. This film should also be moving for anyone who has had to be apart from their family, whether due to death or otherwise. And I loved the relationship btwn. Miguel & Hector; which ends up being far more nuanced & intriguing than initially expected. Hector is much more than he seems and, becomes the film's 2nd hero. The production design (the Land of the Dead truly is a wonder) & animation effects are outstanding. I admire the potent themes of family, perseverance, gratitude; but most of all, the worrying notion that we all might be forgotten long after we're gone is what has truly resonated with me. Pixar, ya did it again.
On the revered Day of the Dead {where families expect their ancestors to return from the beyond to mingle with them for one night -- whether or not you believe that this occurs, it's a lovely notion}, Miguel fights with his family, steals de la Cruz's guitar from his sacred crypt, is encouraged by his idol's motto of "do whatever is necessary to follow your dream", & is magically transported to the Land of the Dead. There, Miguel meets up with generations of his deceased relatives & learns that he can only return to the world of the living with a dead ancestor's blessing; and before dawn arrives.
Because great-great-grandmama Imelda (Alanna Ubach) bestows an unfortunate no-music clause into her blessing, Miguel flees from his skeletal relatives with his dog Dante and goes in search of the de la Cruz; whom he now believes to be his great-great-grandfather, and is considered an Elvis Presley-like icon in the Land of the Dead Along the way, Miguel teams up with Hector (Gael Garcia Bernal), a scheming, but good-natured skeleton who claims to know de la Cruz. But Hector will only help Miguel find de la Cruz if - upon returning to the land of the living - he can notifiy Hector's daughter of his spirit existence {so important for Hector, especially on the all-important Day of the Dead}. Adventure, revelations & tear-inducing drama ensues.
What a lovely, emotionally-moving Pixar entry this is. Credit must go to director Lee Unkrich (and co-director Adrian Molina), who aims to bring tears to our eyes; much the same way Unkrich did when he helmed Toy Story 3, among others. With its likeable child protagonist, animal sidekick & nasty villain, 'Coco' may be a bit predictable in the end; lacking some of the originality of a Wall-E or an Inside Out. But it is beautiful, full of heart, executed assuredly and, in my estimation, represents the best CGI-animated movie of 2017. The voice cast is nearly all Latino (and mostly Mexican) -- all great. I loved how Unkrich gives us an enriching glimpse into some of Mexico's culture. And the music -- Michael Giacchino's magical melodies + the tear-jerker "Remember Me" -- is incredibly effective, as well.
As for the titular Coco (Miguel's wheelchair-bound great-grandmama), her scenes with Miguel will likely make even the most jaded of viewer's grab a tissue. This film should also be moving for anyone who has had to be apart from their family, whether due to death or otherwise. And I loved the relationship btwn. Miguel & Hector; which ends up being far more nuanced & intriguing than initially expected. Hector is much more than he seems and, becomes the film's 2nd hero. The production design (the Land of the Dead truly is a wonder) & animation effects are outstanding. I admire the potent themes of family, perseverance, gratitude; but most of all, the worrying notion that we all might be forgotten long after we're gone is what has truly resonated with me. Pixar, ya did it again.