Review of Coco (2017) by Kevin P — 04 Feb 2018

Strengths: As always with Pixar films, this was visually stunning. Bright colors and exquisite animation are all over Coco. Where the movie truly excels is in its heart. Very few movies targeted towards kids can get you as emotional as this one did. I teared up twice in the closing moments and am not ashamed to admit that. The voice acting is strong across the board, especially by the newcomer lead, Anthony Gonzalez (Miguel). The heartbreaking work of Gael Garcia Bernal (Hector) is the highlight here. The movie does a masterful job in showcasing the Mexican culture and paying respect to their traditions, without being over the top. It's a tough line to toe. One thing Pixar always masters is how they craft an entire world in places we don't expect. Toys, cars, feelings, animals, and now, the dead. The world of the dead is explained and shown in enough detail that we come to understand it very well.

Weaknesses: There's a clearly underdeveloped main villain. It's technically Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), but we're only privy to that information after a large chunk of story. He doesn't get a ton of time to stand out. For a film about music, there's a disappointing lack of it. We only really get two songs and one is honestly kind of bland. A case could be made that some parts won't really work for the young audience it aims for.

Overall: Another wonderfully charming outing from Pixar Studios. The thoughtful narrative, combined with the magnificent visuals, make for one of their best works in years. You'll laugh, cry, and find yourself in awe at times.