Coco Review

Pixar’s mojo is officially back with one of the most gorgeous, heartfelt animated films in years. Coco is not just an animated marvel but a celebration of family, love and music.

Coco is the story of a young Mexican boy named Miguel. He comes from a family of shoe makers, but he longs to be a musician. However, his great-great-great grandfather was also a musician and he abandoned his family. Can Miguel achieve his dream or will he lose his family?

The group at Pixar are master story tellers, but as with all story tellers, not every story told has been a hit. They’ve hit a few rough patches, but Coco is a return to form. Not only is it a beautiful film, but the story is bursting with emotion and energy.

Miguel is an extremely likeable character and we can also understand his frustrations. He wants to be a musician but his family is stifling him. Anthony Gonzalez, the young boy who auditioned for the part of Miguel, does a fantastic job of bringing his animated counterpart to life.

Another reason this movie is so stunning is the music. Since music plays a key role, the soundtrack had to be fantastic. Lucky for us, it is. The original songs created for the film are memorable and catchy. Each of the songs help set the scenes they are in. They’re also an exploration of Mexican music, giving us more insight to the culture.

While the movie is light-hearted, there are some dark themes. However,  Pixar does such a good job of conveying these ideas with the emotional depth they deserve. They do not talk down to the audience and instead, treat them like adults. The film also focuses on family and the importance of keeping true to

yourself as well as your familial ties. 

Needless to say, Coco is soon to become a classic alongside Toy Story and Monsters Inc.