Pixar Animation Studios has a pretty steady formula when it comes to their movies. They introduce the family. A conflict happens within that family. A member (or a couple members) of the family end up on a journey away from home and must escape from or try to solve that problem. Things seem to go well when they meet new friends who can help with their problem. Things go awry on that journey and then they try to get back home. They finally get back home and all is well. That plot line, or some variation of it, is in almost every one (Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Wall-E, Up, Finding Nemo, Incredibles, Good Dinosaur, Inside Out, and Cars). Coco also follows that tried and true Pixar formula. But it doesn’t matter one bit.
Coco follows the story of Miguel and his family during Dia De Los Muertos. His family has a generations-long ban on music, but Miguel dreams of becoming a world-renown musician like his idol Ernesto De La Cruz. After a fallout between him and his family, Miguel finds himself in the Land of The Dead where he is taken on a journey of discovery about himself, about his family, and about what is truly important in life.
First and foremost, this movie is visually and musically ridiculous, both in the land of the living and the dead. The amount of detail is stunning in both making rural Mexico feel authentic and making the Land of the Dead colorful and vibrant. The musical choices really bring the audience into the depths of Mexican culture. This is why the formula may be recycled, but the movie is completely fresh. They did it for the culture.
Between the voice actors and actresses, the authentic music, the visuals, and the relationships, everything seemed like Pixar did their absolute best to make sure they genuinely represent Mexican culture to the fullest. At least based on the audience I watched this with, it seemed like they did the culture justice. There were many a time when I could tell Mexican audience members were laughing at references that took them back to their childhood, or to something that happened to them right before they went to the theater. It was as if they were just running away from a chancla or had to “accept” extra helpings of food from their Abuelita. Coco unabashedly envelops itself in Mexican culture and invites others along for the ride. But if outsiders can’t get the references, then that’s on them. And that is a good thing. (My Mexican friends who have seen this movie, please let me know if I got this wrong in the comments below).
What makes this movie even more amazing is that while it is entrenched in the culture, it has stories, characters, and conflicts in which everyone can relate. The living and dead family bring a tenderness to the story. The humor is witty, yet also kid-friendly. The conflict does well in not choosing a side. It exemplifies the importance of both family and of self-care. It brings about questions that many face as they grow older. How do you choose between two opposing passions? How do you choose between your dreams and your family? How do you choose between helping loved ones follow their dreams or protecting them from a dark path? This story creates a natural growth for Miguel from beginning to end. I had a smile on my face almost every minute of the movie. Until the end.
Those last 30 minutes, man. There was not a dry eye in the theater (unless you are a heartless person like me whose tear ducts don’t work). The feels that Coco brings about are some major feels. Like, hit you in that special place in your heart kinda feels. The twice-in-your-life seeing your dad cry type a feels. The story hits you right in the heart doesn't let go.
With the mixture of authenticity, humor, warmth, and emotional tugs at the heart, Coco may already be a Top 5 Pixar movie. Go see it right away! I give this movie a perfect 10/10 full-bellied gritos. There is nothing wrong with this film.