Film review: Disney’s Coco

I have been rarely disappointed by Disney Pixar – with the exception of maybe Brave and Inside Out – and Coco is the latest work of art of the genius minds of the Pixar visual artists and storyteller. You understand from the first scenes why Coco has taken so long to make. The level of details in every shot is incredible.  The innovation that we experience watching Coco are  subtle and can be seen in the human bones and the orange flower petals which look real. The colours are so vivid, deep and tantalising. 

UNLIKELY DUET — Miguel teams up with charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal) on a life-changing journey through the Land of the Dead. Coco is irected by Lee Unkrich, co-directed by Adrian Molina and produced by Darla K. Anderson.

The Frida Kahlo-inspired musical gig which shows dancing papaya seeds is extraordinary. The whole movie with plenty of references to Mexican traditions and art is a big shout out to the wonderful ancient Mexican culture which has been mistreated in recent years and particularly by the the Trump administration. Mexico is one of the most fascinating countries and cultures I have ever known so I am glad it is now brought back to life in such a glorious way. Hats off for Disney Pixar that has done such a great job trying to educate young and older crowds with a fun movie. 

IDOL CHATTER – Miguel journeys through the Land of the Dead in search of his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Miguel meets the popular performer at Ernesto’s annual Día de Muertos party. 

Despite covering death in all its aspects, the film is not scary. A couple of younger kids were a bit scared to see skeletons at first, but they quickly warmed up to their personalities. The plot will keep everybody glued to their seats with its twists and turns. There is a murder (revealed at the end) and accidental death, but the afterlife in Coco is a lovely busy place, which is not creepy at all, in fact it is quite funny.

 

The sidekicks who accompany Miguel in his reverse journey in the land of the dead are super-excited and greedy street dog Dante and forgotten ghost musician Hector (voiced by Gael García Bernal). 

MARIGOLD BRIDGE — Miguel desperately wants to prove his musical talent. But when he strums the guitar of his idol, the late Ernesto de la Cruz, Miguel sets off a mysterious chain of events and finds himself—and his loyal dog Dante—crossing into the Land of the Dead via a breathtaking bridge made of marigold petals. 

 

NAME THAT TUNE – Miguel’s love of music ultimately leads him to the Land of the Dead where he teams up with charming trickster Hector. “Coco” features an original score from Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino, the original song “Remember Me” by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and additional songs co-written by Germaine Franco and co-director/screenwriter Adrian Molina. Also part of the team is musical consultant Camilo Lara of the music project Mexican Institute of Sound. 

The main star of the movie has to be the mariachi music, which I love but which has been relegated to boring local folklore. I am glad Disney Pixar is rehabilitating this genre with upbeat mariachi songs and some revival of some of my all-time favourite songs such as La Llorona.

FAMILY BONDS – Miguel has a very special relationship with his great-great-grandmother, Mamá Coco (voice of Ana Ofelia Murguía). 

If you were wondering why the film is called Coco, that is the name of Miguel’s great-grandmother, who turns out to be the heart of the story. I won’t be revealing more as I would have to spoil it for you.

London Kids’ rating: 9/10 

London Mums’ rating: 8/10