Coco (2017, PG)

I’ve been waiting for this movie for a while.  The first teaser for it was gorgeous, just breathtaking, and I was even more psyched when I heard Gael García Bernal was going to be in it.  Having finally had a chance to see it, I wouldn’t say it’s Pixar’s absolute best, but it definitely ranks pretty highly for me.

Miguel has a problem.  He loves music and longs to perform, but his family has a strict no-music policy going back generations.  However, when Miguel finds evidence suggesting he’s a descendent of the famous musician Ernesto de la Cruz, he takes it as a sign.  A family argument and a fantastical Día de Muertos mishap lands Miguel in the underworld, and he uses the opportunity to seek out his famous ancestor with the help of a tenacious skeleton named Hector.

I’ll admit to not know much about Día de Muertos beyond the aesthetics, but this movie made me interested to know more.  I like the details included about how the photos on the ofrendas allow the dead to return to the land of the living, as well as why it’s so crucial for families to pass down stories and memories of the departed.  The themes of family and heritage come through really beautifully in the film.  The music stuff is a little trickier, because Miguel’s abuela in particular is just so over-the-top with the whole “no music!” thing – honestly, it’s the only real knock against the movie.  That said, the movie does attempt to give a sense of why the family instituted this rule, and the more joyous, evocative explorations of music are really well done.  The music is by Robert Lopez and Kristin Anderson-Lopez, and while “Remember Me” isn’t likely to become the next “Let It Go,” it’s everything it needs to be and used to wonderful effect in the last act.

And my god, the animation!  Really stunning – the underworld looks spectacular, and the detailing/motions on the skeletons especially is excellent (I also think the alebrijes look great.)  This film is a visual feast, appearing to take the time to get the cultural look right (admittedly, this is a guess on my part – I don’t know enough to say for sure) and dropping in fun details.

With Pixar, you go in expecting feels, and the movie delivers on that front.  There’s humor and action and excitement, but also a ton of heart and some definite tearjerk stuff near the end.  While I was able to anticipate how the resolution shakes out, its execution is still very effective and well worth it.

The voice cast does a fine job across the board.  It’s more Moana than Kubo, meaning it takes care to be culturally-appropriate in its casting.  Anthony Gonzalez, as Miguel, leads the film with charm and enthusiasm, and his singing voice isn’t too shabby, either!  I love Gael García Bernal’s Hector, a bit of a down-on-his-luck schemer who brings comedy and pathos in equal measure; he and Gonzalez make a great team.  The film also features Benjamin Bratt as de la Cruz and Natalia Cordova-Buckley, briefly but fantastically, as Frida Kahlo.

Warnings

Some scary moments, drinking, and thematic elements (including death, obviously.)