Some dogs can look pretty dumb, but you're pushing the boundaries here, Pixar. (Image Courtesy of: youtube.com)
Quick Take: Coco has all the heart and passion of a true Pixar classic though it tends toward silliness a bit strongly to outshine its peers. Heartwarming and endearing, this is a great movie for all ages though especially relevant for kids thanks to its cultural exploration and important message.
***This review will entirely focus on Coco's basic themes and basic set-up of the story. Those who have not seen the movie will not be spoiled on anything beyond the first 15 minutes of the film, so read ahead without fear.***
I love Pixar movies. Of all the animation studios, they best represent to me the perfect balance in creating good films. Their movies appeal to all ages because they are both innocent enough to capture to be accessible while smart enough to not talk down to the viewer.
Not all their movies have been perfect. In fact, recent years have seen a string of the studio's weakest efforts, but you would be hard pressed to find a studio with more great movies, animation or otherwise. Coco is another success in a year that needed more good animated films.
Miguel is a young shoe shiner in a family of shoe makers that wants to be a musician. However, his great-great grandmother forbid music after her husband abandoned her to pursue a music career. In his attempts to find his way, he stumbles into the Land of the Dead and must find his way home.
It is surprising just how few movies there are focused on Dia de Muertos, an important holiday in Mexico. The scarcity is to Coco's advantage as this is one of the best holiday movies in recent memory. It has a real sense of purpose behind its use of the holiday and the culture surrounding it.
In a time where representation is such a hot-button issue, this movie shows the power of representing more diverse cultures. The concept and unique character motivations make this movie feel unique, and it leads to a fantastical adventure that often feels more like a foreign release than domestic to the United States.
However, it feels like the movie often would make more sense if it was primarily written in Spanish. Some of the music especially might have been more powerful if written and performed in Spanish. Instead, the primary language of the culture only pops up occasionally, making this feel like an English dub.
I love Pixar movies. Of all the animation studios, they best represent to me the perfect balance in creating good films. Their movies appeal to all ages because they are both innocent enough to capture to be accessible while smart enough to not talk down to the viewer.
Not all their movies have been perfect. In fact, recent years have seen a string of the studio's weakest efforts, but you would be hard pressed to find a studio with more great movies, animation or otherwise. Coco is another success in a year that needed more good animated films.
Miguel is a young shoe shiner in a family of shoe makers that wants to be a musician. However, his great-great grandmother forbid music after her husband abandoned her to pursue a music career. In his attempts to find his way, he stumbles into the Land of the Dead and must find his way home.
It is surprising just how few movies there are focused on Dia de Muertos, an important holiday in Mexico. The scarcity is to Coco's advantage as this is one of the best holiday movies in recent memory. It has a real sense of purpose behind its use of the holiday and the culture surrounding it.
In a time where representation is such a hot-button issue, this movie shows the power of representing more diverse cultures. The concept and unique character motivations make this movie feel unique, and it leads to a fantastical adventure that often feels more like a foreign release than domestic to the United States.
However, it feels like the movie often would make more sense if it was primarily written in Spanish. Some of the music especially might have been more powerful if written and performed in Spanish. Instead, the primary language of the culture only pops up occasionally, making this feel like an English dub.
For such a young kid, he sure is taking this nightmare scenario well. (Image Courtesy of: nytimes.com)
The story itself has a strong emphasis on family and belonging as Miguel struggles with his purpose as well as his role in his family. He is alienated at times by his love for music, but he also runs back to those he is closest to when he needs them. He has to make sacrifices and hopes others can do the same.
It is a really well told children's tale with some great messages at its heart. It even has some surprises along the way for those not paying too close attention. I did find most of the twists predictable, but I liked them all the same for their importance to the story.
The music as a whole in the film is quite strong. It makes this movie feel a bit more like a Disney film, but the music does have a clear driving purpose. "Remember Me" in particular is a great track with varying uses in the story. The composer Michael Giacchino is always pretty reliable in creating memorable tracks.
The Disney feeling does also pervade the story at times. Miguel has a dog companion that seems to be around just be dumb and silly. There are more than a few gags in the story that just are meant to get a cheap laugh.
Still, it is a story that works well most of the time, and it really sparks as the story ramps up in its second half. The pacing of the tale is fairly perfect, flying by at just over 90 minutes, and it is not a movie you would ever want your kids to miss out on.
It may not rank at the top of the Pixar movies, but Coco is easily in the discussion of movies from Pixar that should not be missed. It is absolutely the best animated movie to be released in 2017 and should hopefully inspire more diverse cultural explorations in the animated films in the future.
It is a really well told children's tale with some great messages at its heart. It even has some surprises along the way for those not paying too close attention. I did find most of the twists predictable, but I liked them all the same for their importance to the story.
The music as a whole in the film is quite strong. It makes this movie feel a bit more like a Disney film, but the music does have a clear driving purpose. "Remember Me" in particular is a great track with varying uses in the story. The composer Michael Giacchino is always pretty reliable in creating memorable tracks.
The Disney feeling does also pervade the story at times. Miguel has a dog companion that seems to be around just be dumb and silly. There are more than a few gags in the story that just are meant to get a cheap laugh.
Still, it is a story that works well most of the time, and it really sparks as the story ramps up in its second half. The pacing of the tale is fairly perfect, flying by at just over 90 minutes, and it is not a movie you would ever want your kids to miss out on.
It may not rank at the top of the Pixar movies, but Coco is easily in the discussion of movies from Pixar that should not be missed. It is absolutely the best animated movie to be released in 2017 and should hopefully inspire more diverse cultural explorations in the animated films in the future.
