Coco (2017)

Coco (2017)

8/10

Starring the voices of:

Anthony Gonzalez

Gael García Bernal

Benjamin Bratt

Alanna Ubach

Directed by Lee Unkrich

Coco is it. The movie is beyond lit, and the plot twists come in layers. Just as you’re digesting one magnificent twist, they hit you with another that’ll leave you gasping.

To be honest, Disney Animation has been on point lately, leaving their Pixar arm to bite the dust. Think back to 2012 with Wreck-It Ralph, followed by Frozen (2013), Big Hero 6 (2014), and my second-favorite Disney animation of the last two decades, Zootopia (2016). Meanwhile, Pixar has struggled to make a mark since Toy Story 3 (2010). Coco is only the second Pixar movie since 2010—the first being Inside Out (2015)—that’s worth owning a copy of.

Coco is a 3D computer-animated musical comedy fantasy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and is their nineteenth production released by Disney.

The movie’s plot is original, based on the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), where loved ones remember their deceased relatives. In this story, a 12-year-old boy named Miguel Rivera wants to break free from his family’s shoe-making and polishing business to become a musician. Miguel’s idol is the late Ernesto de la Cruz, the most famous musician in Mexican history. However, Miguel’s family has banned him from pursuing music. On the Day of the Dead, Miguel decides to chase his dream and perform without his family’s blessings.

This leads him to steal his idol’s guitar. Before taking it, he notices the guitar resembles the one in a photo of his great-great-grandmother standing beside her husband, who’s holding the same guitar. Convinced that his idol is his great-great-grandfather, Miguel steals the guitar, which accidentally transports him to the Land of the Dead.

There, he meets his deceased family but decides to avoid them and chase after his idol instead. The catch? He needs his great-great-grandfather’s blessing to return to the land of the living before sunrise, or he’ll be trapped in the Land of the Dead forever.

Setting records in Mexico and already winning awards, this animation is fun-filled and well put together—a must-see for the whole family. The voice acting and singing, are so well done that you will be singing, "you make me un poco loco, un poquititito loco..." when the credits are rolling in.

The plot has heart, and I love it, but it does follow a pretty predictable path, leaning heavily on familiar family and redemption themes. Miguel’s character arc also feels a bit too simplistic—his motivations are clear, but there's not enough depth to make his journey as compelling as it could have been. Even with these weaknesses, the movie still shines in its more emotional moments.

Looking ahead, Disney and Pixar have packed 2018 and 2019 with 3D-animation sequels that are sure to make us run to the cinemas. In 2018, we have Incredibles 2 (Pixar) in June and Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 (Disney) in November. In 2019, we’ll get Toy Story 4 (Pixar) in June and Frozen 2 (Disney) in November.