If there is one thing Pixar is famous for, besides making the first ever computer-animated film, making consistently amazing films, and changing the animation industry forever, it's giving audiences the opportunity to look at the world through a different perspective. The Toy Story trilogy showed us the world through the eyes of toys. A Bug's Life showed us the world through the eyes of bugs. Finding Nemo & Finding Dory showed us the world through the eyes of fish. Wall-E showed us the universe through the eyes of robots. Inside Out showed us the world through the eyes of our own emotions.
Disney/Pixar's Coco shows audiences two different perspectives. It shows us the virtues and values of Mexican culture, as well as the perspective of those who have passed on to the next life.
Everyone has been gushing about Pixar's latest masterpiece. It's gotten amazing reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, and is doing really well at the box office, even beating Justice League! I really don't know what I can add to it other than go see it! But ever since I have seen it, it's been hard for me to stop thinking about it. Coco is one of those films that really sticks with you. Also, I feel like this is not just a great film. It's an important one. It's a film that accurately portrays Mexican culture, and the traditions of Dia De Muertos (Day of the Dead). If this film does well, it would encourage Hollywood to greenlight more films that accurately portray the virtues and traditions of other countries and cultures.
Coco tells the story of Miguel Rivera (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez), who lives in Mexico and is part of a family of shoe makers. Miguel has big dreams of becoming a famous musician like his hero Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), despite his family's own contradicting feelings. One day, when Miguel breaks into Ernesto's place of burial to steal (I mean "borrow") his guitar, he ends up in the Land of the Dead where he meets his deceased relatives.
I don't want to give too much of the plot away for two reasons. One, you have seen the trailers, you get the idea of what the film is about. Two, there are also some twists that you will not expect that make the film so much more impactful! But I will say this. If the film was made by lesser filmmakers, it would just be about a boy trying to deal with a family member dying. But Coco takes a different angle. Coco is about a boy learning the importance of family. That no matter what your dreams are, you should never forget about your family.
The story reminded me a lot of The Wizard of Oz. In that the main character lives a simple life with their family, but longs for something grander. And with unexpected circumstances, the main character ends up in a fantastical world that is more colorful and vibrant than their own. And they make a journey through this world to meet a powerful and famous figure. And they meet so many colorful and unforgettable characters along the way. And in the end (SPOILER ALERT), they realize the importance of family. Not to mention, they have a dog that joins them along the way.
As Shakespeare once said, nothing is new under the sun. Every single story has been told before at some point. But it is what you add to it that makes it special. And Coco, despite these similarities, is a special film.
The voice acting is stellar ! I love how Pixar made sure that the entire cast is Hispanic, since this film is about Mexican culture.
Anthony Gonzolez is very likable as Miguel Rivera, the main character. He has a good heart, but he's also rebellious. He makes mistakes, but the audience still roots for him. He acts like a normal kid. Miguel could have easily come off as annoying or unlikable, but Gonzolez's acting and the way he is written help make him sympathetic.
My favorite character is Hector, voiced by Gael Garcia Bernal. Hector is a charming trickster, similar to Flynn Rider in Tangled. Like Miguel, Hector is trying to return to the Land of the Living, but for a very different reason. I will not give too much away, as it would be a huge spoiler. But I will say this. When you first meet Hector, you like him because he's so funny and charming. But as the film goes on, you fall in love with him!
The animation is absolutely gorgeous! Pixar continuously raises the bar with the animation in their films. Just when you think they can never top themselves, tyhey always find ways to. And Coco is no exception. The way they design the Land of the Dead is so beautiful, and so detailed. I could actually see this being a theme park at Epcot in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida someday!
And because music plays an important role in the story, there are a lot of songs. And they are all memorable, and all wonderful. Remember Me is a sure lock for Best Original Song at the Oscars.
I cannot think of anything else to add. Coco is just a pure delight from beginning to end! I can barely think of anything wrong with it. It has beautiful animation, lovable characters, an engaging story, and an important message about family.
I guess if there is one flaw about the movie, it's not with the movie itself. But rather what happens BEFORE the movie. That's right. I'm gonna talk about the frozen elephant in the room... Olaf's Frozen Adventure.
Before every Pixar movie, we usually get a seven minute animated short like last year's delightful Piper before Finding Dory. It always made the experience so much more enjoyable. This time however, instead of a seven minute short, Disney decided to tie in an entire twenty minute Christmas special which was also a semi-sequel to their biggest hit, Frozen.
I'm sure by now, most of us are sick of Frozen. What started as a really good, really entertaining Disney musical became a huge phenomenon and money-making machine. And to keep the Frozen hype going before Frozen 2, Disney decided to release Olaf's Frozen Adventure in theaters. The twenty minute special has already received major backlash from audiences, especially in Mexico. Apparently, the special was so hated in Mexico, that their theaters pulled the special altogether, and only play Coco.
While I personally had no problems with the special itself, I can see where others are coming from. I thought it was a cute, harmless Christmas special that really puts you in the Holiday Spirit. I personally think they should have just released it on ABC rather than before Coco. Audiences barely have time, or the money, to go to the movies. They paid to see Coco, not Frozen 2. If it was a seven minute short, it would not have been as big of a deal. But twenty minutes? That's overkill.
Despite the opening act being way too long, Coco is still a pure delight from beginning to end! This is one of those movies you have to see right now! Seriously, what are you doing on your phone? Go see Coco! I don't care if you already saw it! GO SEE IT AGAIN! Right now!
