Coco: A Magical Film to Remember

Photo by Disney/Pixar - ©2017 Disney/Pixar

Sandwiched between two sequels (Finding Dory and Cars 3) and another two sequels (Incredibles 2 and Toy Story 4) is a beautiful reassurance that Pixar has not lost the magic that put them on the map in 1995. Coco is a fast-paced, exciting, and emotionally draining animated epic worthy of any awards for which it is eligible.

Pixar founded itself on the promise to avoid several common Disney tropes: no songs, no “I want” moments, no happy village, no love story. Love stories are once again absent but Coco’s plot is simultaneously the most- and least-Pixar film yet. Songs, “I want” moments, and a large family which may as well be a happy village are riddled throughout. Moving away from the norm, however, proves a gamble that pays off.

Miguel's family will stop at nothing to keep him away from music.
©2017 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Miguel Rivera (an adorable Anthony Gonzalez) wants nothing more than to be a famous musician. Music courses through his veins and is straining the walls of his young heart but his family, following the example of the departed Mamá Imelda Rivera (Alanna Ubach), spurns all musical endeavors. Miguel idolizes the legendary Ernesto de la Cruz (a seductive Benjamin Bratt), whose tune “Remember Me” is practically the unofficial Mexican theme song.

Defying his family, Miguel continues to obsess over music and, when he finds evidence that he could be a descendent of Ernesto de la Cruz, his passions are further inflamed. On Día de los Muertos, Miguel steals Ernesto’s guitar from his mausoleum. Taking from the dead on a day designed to honor them, however, casts a curse on Miguel and traps him in the land of the dead. Unlike the land of the dead seen in Hercules, however, this is one filled with bright lights, fluorescent animals, and constant music. To break the curse, the boy will need the blessing of his family before sunrise.

Unable to accept help from his ancestors, who refuse to send Miguel home unless he swears off music, the young Rivera hunts for his great-grandfather, Ernesto. Along the way, he encounters the charming trickster, Héctor (Mozart in the Jungle’s Gael García Bernal), who provides assistance on the condition that Miguel helps him cross over to the land of the living. Several musical interludes and a couple of shocking plot twists later, Ernesto is revealed to be a fraud while Héctor turns out to be Miguel’s actual great-grandfather. Mamá Imelda reconciles with Héctor and the two send Miguel back to his home where he is able to share Héctor’s story and ensure he is properly celebrated by the Rivera family.

Coco's color palette explodes on the big screen during it's most breathtaking moments.
©2017 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Children’s movies tend to be very predictable. And many things about this plot were. Obviously the family would end up accepting Miguel’s music. Getting to that end-point required many unexpected and sharp turns. Having seen the film twice, I can attest there is plenty of foreshadowing. But first-time viewers are likely to keep guessing throughout.

Animated cinematography is an under-appreciated talent. Keep in mind that everything on screen has to be drawn, digitally rendered, and fully animated before it can be used. The finesse demonstrated by directors of photography Matt Aspbury (The Road to El Dorado) and Danielle Feinberg (WALL-E) is awe inspiring. When Miguel gazes upon the city of the dead for the first time, mouth agape, it is hard to imagine a single audience member not having a similar response.

Anthony Gonzalez and Gael García Bernal's chemistry is irresistible during their musical numbers.
©2017 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

For a movie all about music, it is a shame that so many of the songs fade away. Only “Remember Me” (written by “Let it Go” songwriters Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez) is ever given a real performance. Most other songs are background anthems that play as more important action unfolds around them. “La Llorona,” (a traditional Mexican folk song) however, becomes a surprisingly effective number for the climax. Such a serviceable soundtrack is courtesy of masterful compositions from Michael Giacchino (Up, Inside Out) who creates the picture’s cohesive and decisively Mexican score.

There is so much to praise in Coco. To avoid sounding like a broken record, it is best to end with this: if you’ve lost faith in Disney, Pixar, or animated films in general see this movie. No other picture in 2017 exhibited the same heart as this film. From Miguel’s first strum on the guitar to the family’s final chorus together, this is a movie which will leave you singing a happy song.

Singing along to Coco as much as I am? Comment your thoughts below!

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