A timely love letter to Mexico

Rating: 8/10 (13 July 2018)

Pixar is still the premier animation studio, but they have faltered this decade by placing a greater emphasis on sequels and contrived formulas for prolific output. For every Inside Out it feels like we are given two unnecessary Cars sequels. They are at their best when they let the quality storytelling drive everything else, which is exactly the case with Coco. While this effort may not be their best to date, it is certainly one of their most balanced.
The premium placed on aesthetics places it up near the top with Ratatouille and WALL-E in that regard. The tear jerking climax puts it in the same conversation as strongest emotional connection along with the opening love scene from Up, the incinerator scene from Toy Story 3, and the cathartic culmination of Inside Out. The aspiring guitar player story and incorporation of great original songs makes it one of their most memorable in regards to musicality. Finally, the messages of mortality, valuing family, pursuing dreams, and celebration of Mexican culture feels like it's one of their most necessary and timely stories in the context of our current political climate.