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Coco
Disney Pixar hits another bullseye with 2017's Coco, a colorful and splashy musical animated extravaganza that explores universal themes that we expect from Disney Pixar but breathes new life into said themes by setting the story on foreign soil.
This musical confection is the story of a little boy named Miguel (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) who comes from a family of shoe makers, but whose true passion is music like his longtime idol Ernesto de la Cruz (voiced by Benjamin Bratt). Miguel is frustrated by the rest of his family's ban on music and plans to sing in a local contest one evening. His grandmother finds out and smashes his guitar to bits. While attempting to "borrow" Ernesto's guitar to use in the contest, Miguel is transported to the Land of the Dead where he meets his deceased relatives who don't believe Miguel when he claims that he is the great great grandson of de la Cruz, but still send him on a journey where even more secrets about his family are revealed.
Lee Unkrich, the creative force behind the second and third Toy Story movies, as well as Finding Nemo has crafted a story of the importance of family and the importance of pursuing your passion that remains the through line for a sometimes hard to swallow but endlessly imaginative and entertaining story centered on a lovable little boy who is sent on a totally unexpected journey. Yes, this story went NOWHERE I expected it to, though I should have since Miguel mentions in his opening narration how he hears about his ancestors every year on the Day of the Death, which apparently is an actual Mexican holiday of celebration.
Disney Pixar has always been consistent in the kind of entertainment they provide. As with most of their work, this story is overly complex, the exposition takes a little too long, and there are at least two unnecessary endings, but there are so many colorful and interesting characters to distract us, as well as the dazzling setting provided in the form of the Land of the Dead, which was unlike anything I've ever seen. The film is a feast for the eyes and ears even if it takes a bit too long to get where it's going. That winged jaguar was nothing short of bone-chilling.
The film won the Oscar for Outstanding Animated Film and the Oscar for Original Song went to Robert Lopex and Kristin Andersen-Lopez for "Remember Me". Other memorable songs in the score included "Juanita", "Un Poco Loco", and "Jalale".
Another consistency with Disney Pixar is exemplary voice work and this film features standout work from Bratt, Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal as Hector and Alanna Ubach as Mama Imelda. This is a joyous animated journey that demands undivided attention but the rewards for such attention come in spades.
Disney Pixar hits another bullseye with 2017's Coco, a colorful and splashy musical animated extravaganza that explores universal themes that we expect from Disney Pixar but breathes new life into said themes by setting the story on foreign soil.
This musical confection is the story of a little boy named Miguel (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) who comes from a family of shoe makers, but whose true passion is music like his longtime idol Ernesto de la Cruz (voiced by Benjamin Bratt). Miguel is frustrated by the rest of his family's ban on music and plans to sing in a local contest one evening. His grandmother finds out and smashes his guitar to bits. While attempting to "borrow" Ernesto's guitar to use in the contest, Miguel is transported to the Land of the Dead where he meets his deceased relatives who don't believe Miguel when he claims that he is the great great grandson of de la Cruz, but still send him on a journey where even more secrets about his family are revealed.
Lee Unkrich, the creative force behind the second and third Toy Story movies, as well as Finding Nemo has crafted a story of the importance of family and the importance of pursuing your passion that remains the through line for a sometimes hard to swallow but endlessly imaginative and entertaining story centered on a lovable little boy who is sent on a totally unexpected journey. Yes, this story went NOWHERE I expected it to, though I should have since Miguel mentions in his opening narration how he hears about his ancestors every year on the Day of the Death, which apparently is an actual Mexican holiday of celebration.
Disney Pixar has always been consistent in the kind of entertainment they provide. As with most of their work, this story is overly complex, the exposition takes a little too long, and there are at least two unnecessary endings, but there are so many colorful and interesting characters to distract us, as well as the dazzling setting provided in the form of the Land of the Dead, which was unlike anything I've ever seen. The film is a feast for the eyes and ears even if it takes a bit too long to get where it's going. That winged jaguar was nothing short of bone-chilling.
The film won the Oscar for Outstanding Animated Film and the Oscar for Original Song went to Robert Lopex and Kristin Andersen-Lopez for "Remember Me". Other memorable songs in the score included "Juanita", "Un Poco Loco", and "Jalale".
Another consistency with Disney Pixar is exemplary voice work and this film features standout work from Bratt, Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal as Hector and Alanna Ubach as Mama Imelda. This is a joyous animated journey that demands undivided attention but the rewards for such attention come in spades.