Review of Coco (2017) by Dylan C — 24 Dec 2018

One of Pixar's biggest risks to date takes us on an immersive journey largely courtesy of a child trying to fulfill his dream. There is a relatability having the childlike wonder and wanting to see a dream through to the end. His dream is to be a musician but his family refuses music to be allowed to be played. They own a family shoe shop run by generations of the family and they see his future as part of the family business. There is the pull between his desire to be a musician and his family wanting to protect him from the past.

Their desire to protect him ends up pushing him to explore his dream on his own. This examines the ties of family in a really profound way which would ruin the film if I was give out more information. I will just say there are moments which will take your breath away and twists you will not see coming. All we know early on is a photograph with his grandmother and a torn face from the photograph. This draws the curiosity of Miguel but his family will not answer his requests to know who the man is with the guitar.

Naturally, Miguel is drawn to music by his love of his favorite musician and gleefully he has a little shrine of the celebrated musician. The forces of his family leads him to the actual shrine of the musician choosing to play the guitar hoping his family will see his way. This casts him into a nightmare scenario where he is in the land of the dead on the Day of the Dead.

Soon, we are introduced to stunning visuals and a fully realized world where the dead pass between the plane to the land of the living to watch over their descendants. They receive the gifts left at their tombstones and shrines hoping for that connection with their still living families. This is touching in simply showing the reverence for the dead and we are never far removed from their passing.

Short on humor, this is one of Pixar's darkest tales to date and some moments can be haunting. It was surreal watching Miguel pass between the skeletal characters and you can sense the real dread when everything he knows turns on its head. The subject matter may be something children cannot appreciate until they have reached adulthood. Adults will find a real connection to the story because it shows how we are inexplicably attached to our past.

Also, a really mature theme of this movie is how our perceptions can be colored so easily. Reality is not always reality and can be altered by the influence of others. I mean by this that our recollection of the past is sometimes influenced by what others tell us instead of the true nature of the events. Expertly, this film reveals the twist slowly and allows you to deal with your shock while hoping for the success of Miguel. There is an actual feeling he may not be successful which is rare in an animated movie.

The work done by the animators brought this feature to life and you feel you know the characters on a personal level. There are personal flourishes making his village look like a real place. There is a contrast from the dreary surroundings of his village to the hauntingly beautiful world of the land of the dead. Almost, the land of the dead is too enticing wanting the viewer to visit such a place.

Every song in this film has a purpose whereas some films have throwaway songs. Here, they are much part of the character and fittingly given the aspirations of Miguel. You are given time to get to know his character and his personal growth. We are shown you can both try to live out your dream but also honor your family. This picture comes down to an exploration of family and how we do not really leave them behind. The surprise twists add to the story rather than detract and make the ending so much more touching. Rarely, I have cried during a children's movie but this film moved me beyond what I expected.

This is a gut punch largely because most of the story is something we can all relate to and understand on a personal level. The acting is top notch and the visuals along with a powerful story will ask you the tough questions in your own life. There are sacrifices in life but it asks what we would be willing to give up. Also, it questions one's priorities in life and if the priorities are in the correct order. This is another example of Pixar to ask us to think more of animated movies and get a sense of the heart capable in this genre.