Chad White
Loves: Movies with some heritage, this cast
Likes: Cartoon dogs
Dislikes: Death
Hates: That 20 minute Frozen “short”
Seize your moment.
Pixar is known for its large movie spectacles and intricate character work. But for every big moment in a film, it’s usually followed with smaller, intimate moments. Coco is what happens when the studio tries its hand at a movie full of small moments. While Coco is a beautiful and gigantic looking movie, it’s built on the foundation of personal scenes between a boy and his family. Looks are not everything for this film with a warm message about loving and supporting family no matter their dreams.
Coco follows Miguel Rivera (Anthony Gonzalez), an aspiring musician in a family full of shoemakers. Ever since the beginning, the Rivera’s have worked in the shoe business as their matriarch grandmother (Alanna Ubach) forbade music. During Día de Muertos, Miguel ventures to steal the legendary guitar of the late Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), who he believes to be his great-great grandfather. Miguel then arrives in the land of the dead with the goal of finding his way back after teaming up with a dead trickster trying to be remembered.
Pixar is known for their casting but this is the first movie with unknowns, character actors and first timers alike. Of course, Coco benefits in this manner thanks to the dearth of Mexican voice talent. Gonzalez is very, very good in his role as Miguel. Every line is delivered with earnestness and the singing is nothing to be scoffed at. It’s a shame the script doesn’t allow for many of the other family members – living or dead – to get their chance to shine. Both of Miguel’s grandmothers have their due as antagonists but it would’ve been delightful to spend more time with both sides. But, lack of character development for most family members and all, the supporting characters are as distinct as one would hope; the dead ones more so.
Scripting was thankfully handled by Adrian Molina (with help from director Lee Unkirch, Jason Katz and Matthew Aldrich; this is Pixar after all). Molina and co. successfully capture the Mexican traditions in a gorgeous since. The intimacy can be felt with every line of dialogue. Even the over the top action is brought back to reality thanks to grounded acting and great pacing.
Should you watch Coco?
Pixar continues its path to excellence with Coco. This one is another for the history books.
Notes
- The damn “short” before the movie was too. Freaking. Long. I like Frozen. I like it a lot. But that thing was longer than it needed to be. And I arrived late into it! I’d bet a million dollars Disney asked Pixar to include it for the holiday season. Mostly because it’s Christmas themed.
- For the first time in a long time, I was the only one in the theater for a mid-day showing. It felt so good.