This past weekend, my husband and I took our daughter to see
the new movie, Coco. Knowing only the
basics about the film and not reading any reviews about it, I went into the
film with high expectations, it is Disney Pixar after all. What I didn’t expect
was to be blown away. Normally, for a review, I discuss what I liked, what I
didn’t like and what the critics had to say. But for this film, I liked
everything. There was nothing I didn’t like and I don’t care what the critics
had to say. So I will discuss the different aspects of the film that I loved.
First, the story itself. Based on the Mexican festival of
Dia de la Muertos, it is a story about family, remembering those who has
passed, and forgiveness. The movie begins with 12 year old Miguel (voiced by
Anthony Gonzalez) telling the story of his Mama Imelda Rivera (played by Alanna
Ubach), the family matriarch. She was the wife of musician who left her and
their daughter to pursue his career and never returned. Angry, she banned all
forms of music in the family. Miguel desires desperately to be a musician, he
steals the guitar from the tomb of the village’s superstar, Ernesto de la Cruz
(voiced by Benjamin Bratt). When he does so, he has placed a curse on the
family and he is transported to the Land of the Dead. He must now find a way to
lift the curse so he can return home. He is helped along the way by Hector
(voiced by Gael Garcia Bernal) who is desperate to get to the Land of the
Living before the end of Dia de la Muertos. The story has everything: laughs,
tender moments and very sad moments. I cried at the end. So be warned, there will
be tears!
Second, the music. The movie is filled with wonderful music.
It features the wide range of Mexican music. From mariachi to salsa and bolero.
From flamenco to pop and Mexican son (folk music and dance). The music was
heartfelt and entertaining. After the film, I immediately went out and bought
the soundtrack. The main song is “Remember Me” which helps carry the theme of
the film. However, my favorite songs were “Un Poco Loco” (written by Germaine
Franco and Adrian Molina and performed by Anthony Gonzalez and Gael Garcia
Bernal) and La Llorona (a traditional folk song performed by Alanna Ubach). “Un
Poco Loco” is a fun and upbeat song about how the singer’s love drives him a
little crazy. “La Llorona” is a soulful and beautiful song about a weeping
woman and love. The instrumental pieces are beautiful too. I love music in film
especially when it is used probably to enhance the mood and the events of the
particular scenes. The music in Coco
did that and more. It carried so much emotional that you were crying just by
the strumming of the guitar.
Third, the imagery of the film is absolutely breathtaking.
The colors of the Land of the Dead are stunning. Marigold flowers, known as
cempasúchil, are central to the festival and they are everywhere in this film.
Marigolds are among my favorite flowers and the animators captured the flower’s
brilliant orange color and the delicacy of its petals. Brilliant colors bring
the Land of the Dead to life and are very vibrant and reminiscent of the colors
have seen in Mexican art. The details in the animations bring you into a world
and you sit in wonder at it all. The amazing talent and hard work it took to
bring this story to life shows in every detail. I also loved the image of the
Mexican family portrayed in this film. With my experiences with Mexican
families, I laughed at the antics of Abuelita, Miguel’s grandmother as she
enforces the no music rule in the family. There’s a scene where she offers
Miguel foods and he politely denies, the look she gives him reminds me of many
Mexican grandmothers I’ve known and love.
In conclusion, Coco
is the best Disney Pixar film so far. It is definitely among my favorite films.
It has everything. A great story, great music and great imagery which comes
together and transports you into another world and leave you with a great
lesson about love, family and forgiveness. I highly, highly recommend seeing Coco in theaters. You will not regret
it!
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