Coco
4/4
Starring (voices): Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach
Rated PG for Thematic Elements
Pixar Animation has been in a bit of a slump lately. Their last great movie was "Brave," although I realize that many people liked "Inside Out"a lot more than I did. Lately, they've been putting out sequels with little inspiration (plus the misfire, "The Good Dinosaur"). That may make executives and shareholders happy, but Pixar has always been at its best when its blazing new trails and trying new things. Only when they're telling a story that they actually care about do they shine. While none of their recent films was awful, the team's heart wasn't in them. That's changed with their new film "Coco," which is easily their best film since "Brave."
Miguel (Gonzalez) is a young boy with the heart of a musician. Unfortunately, his family frowns on music, as his great grandmother Imelda (Ubach) was abandoned by her husband, who chose a life as rock star. Undaunted, he decides to steal the guitar of his great grandfather, who was the famous musician Ernesto de la Cruz (Bratt). That causes him to enter the Land of the Dead, where he is reunited with his deceased relatives, including Imelda. She is happy to help him get home, but on the condition that he gives up music. Miguel refuses, and with the help of a man named Hector (Bernal), one of the dead who is also desperate to get to the land of the living, he sets out to find Ernesto, who will allow him to go home and give him his blessing to be a musician.
"Coco" is pure Pixar, but good Pixar is virtually impossible to turn down. The lovable characters, the positive themes of family, friendship and love, the humor and the dazzling computer animation (it matches "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets" as the most visually dazzling movie in recent memory). In terms of plot and structure, there's quite a bit that's recycled. But it puts what's old into new dishes and makes it seem new again. That's what separates Pixar from the wannabes.
The voice acting is, as usual for Pixar, excellent. Newcomer Anthony Gonzalez is instantly likable as the kid who is desperate to play music. Gael Garcia Bernal brings wit, warmth and pathos to Hector, who is more than who he seems. Benjamin Bratt is terrific as the somewhat arrogant Ernesto. And Alanna Ubach manages to be lovable and frightening. The film includes a couple of cameos from Latin stars, such as Gabriel Iglesias, Edward James Olmos, and Cheech Marin. Pixar regular John Ratzenberger has a cameo, but I didn't recognize his distinctive voice.
Music plays an important part of "Coco," which considering the plot, isn't surprising. But rather than just a few Randy Newman songs over plot montages, it's organic to the story. Since the songs are all sung by the characters, it's possible to classify this as a musical, but it comes from the plot (this isn't "The Sound of Music" or "Chicago," with staged musical numbers and dancing).
Family movies are few and far between these days, and good ones are even rarer. If you want to introduce your kids to the magic of film, there are few better options than "Coco." This is one of the year's best films.
Starring (voices): Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach
Rated PG for Thematic Elements
Pixar Animation has been in a bit of a slump lately. Their last great movie was "Brave," although I realize that many people liked "Inside Out"a lot more than I did. Lately, they've been putting out sequels with little inspiration (plus the misfire, "The Good Dinosaur"). That may make executives and shareholders happy, but Pixar has always been at its best when its blazing new trails and trying new things. Only when they're telling a story that they actually care about do they shine. While none of their recent films was awful, the team's heart wasn't in them. That's changed with their new film "Coco," which is easily their best film since "Brave."
Miguel (Gonzalez) is a young boy with the heart of a musician. Unfortunately, his family frowns on music, as his great grandmother Imelda (Ubach) was abandoned by her husband, who chose a life as rock star. Undaunted, he decides to steal the guitar of his great grandfather, who was the famous musician Ernesto de la Cruz (Bratt). That causes him to enter the Land of the Dead, where he is reunited with his deceased relatives, including Imelda. She is happy to help him get home, but on the condition that he gives up music. Miguel refuses, and with the help of a man named Hector (Bernal), one of the dead who is also desperate to get to the land of the living, he sets out to find Ernesto, who will allow him to go home and give him his blessing to be a musician.
"Coco" is pure Pixar, but good Pixar is virtually impossible to turn down. The lovable characters, the positive themes of family, friendship and love, the humor and the dazzling computer animation (it matches "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets" as the most visually dazzling movie in recent memory). In terms of plot and structure, there's quite a bit that's recycled. But it puts what's old into new dishes and makes it seem new again. That's what separates Pixar from the wannabes.
The voice acting is, as usual for Pixar, excellent. Newcomer Anthony Gonzalez is instantly likable as the kid who is desperate to play music. Gael Garcia Bernal brings wit, warmth and pathos to Hector, who is more than who he seems. Benjamin Bratt is terrific as the somewhat arrogant Ernesto. And Alanna Ubach manages to be lovable and frightening. The film includes a couple of cameos from Latin stars, such as Gabriel Iglesias, Edward James Olmos, and Cheech Marin. Pixar regular John Ratzenberger has a cameo, but I didn't recognize his distinctive voice.
Music plays an important part of "Coco," which considering the plot, isn't surprising. But rather than just a few Randy Newman songs over plot montages, it's organic to the story. Since the songs are all sung by the characters, it's possible to classify this as a musical, but it comes from the plot (this isn't "The Sound of Music" or "Chicago," with staged musical numbers and dancing).
Family movies are few and far between these days, and good ones are even rarer. If you want to introduce your kids to the magic of film, there are few better options than "Coco." This is one of the year's best films.
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