Pixar's new animated film Coco is a sly affair. It is a film that both embodies the animation studio's biggest themes while venturing into new territory. This isn't just because the setting of Mexico is something unique but the film's story of a family separated by borders is the most political thing the studio has released.
It is odd then that much of Coco feels a bit formulaic, particularly in the film's setup. 12-year-old Miguel Rivera (Anthony Gonzalez) wants desperately to be a musician. His family hates music due to his great-great-grandmother Imelda having had her heart broken some 95 years earlier by a musician. He left the family and since then the Rivera family has focused on being shoemakers and banned all music from the family. The "follow your dream" storyline here is the most borrowed item from Coco.
Miguel's desire to play music leads him on an adventure on the Day of the Dead. He sneaks into his most admired musician's , Ernesto De La Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), grave where he steals a guitar and is immediately sent into the land of the dead. It is here where the film's magic really takes hold. The land of the dead is an amazing creation, so detailed and creative that is demands the largest screen possible.
It is also here in which the better plot lines begin to show. Coco takes a bit to reveal the beautiful and moving themes of family, death and memory. Día De Muertos turns into an allegory for how we remember those who have passed, see in the world of the dead you fade away if your family forgets you. This sly move to delay the emotional heft of the plot made me unaware of how invested I was in Miguel's story until the film pulls on the heartstrings in the final act. It also allows the film to comment on borders but in a context that is safe for all families to discuss. Here's to hoping that Coco begins a dialogue among parents and kids about death and exclusion.
Director Lee Unkrich, who previously made the great Toy Story 3, fully realized the land of the dead. The neon color scheme, towering cityscapes and skeletal inhabitants feel like something you haven't seen before. It's a real wonder and the animation has made yet another jump as the bones of all the characters feel so detailed and real that you might mistake them for models rather than computer generated images. Coco also mixes in many touchstones of Mexican culture including a very humorous homage to Frida Kahlo.
Coco feels routine at times but only in some of its plot conventions. In other ways, it feels like the most daring and fresh of all of Pixar's output. The film is funny, touching and cultural thoughtful.
4/5
Miguel's desire to play music leads him on an adventure on the Day of the Dead. He sneaks into his most admired musician's , Ernesto De La Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), grave where he steals a guitar and is immediately sent into the land of the dead. It is here where the film's magic really takes hold. The land of the dead is an amazing creation, so detailed and creative that is demands the largest screen possible.
It is also here in which the better plot lines begin to show. Coco takes a bit to reveal the beautiful and moving themes of family, death and memory. Día De Muertos turns into an allegory for how we remember those who have passed, see in the world of the dead you fade away if your family forgets you. This sly move to delay the emotional heft of the plot made me unaware of how invested I was in Miguel's story until the film pulls on the heartstrings in the final act. It also allows the film to comment on borders but in a context that is safe for all families to discuss. Here's to hoping that Coco begins a dialogue among parents and kids about death and exclusion.
Director Lee Unkrich, who previously made the great Toy Story 3, fully realized the land of the dead. The neon color scheme, towering cityscapes and skeletal inhabitants feel like something you haven't seen before. It's a real wonder and the animation has made yet another jump as the bones of all the characters feel so detailed and real that you might mistake them for models rather than computer generated images. Coco also mixes in many touchstones of Mexican culture including a very humorous homage to Frida Kahlo.
Coco feels routine at times but only in some of its plot conventions. In other ways, it feels like the most daring and fresh of all of Pixar's output. The film is funny, touching and cultural thoughtful.
4/5
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