Well-done, compelling, and entertaining, despite minor flaws

Rating: 7/10 (10 June 2018)

This is probably one of the best animated films I've seen in some time, though I never would have watched if not for seeing it praised in somebody's must-watch list.
Let's get the handful of flaws out of the way first. That is a terrible title. It conveys nothing useful, inspires no intrigue, and is utterly forgettable. The premise is also insanely bizarre. The entire conflict in the film comes from a matriarch forbidding multiple generations of her family from music. Remarkably though, that almost makes sense in this movie, probably because the characters are charming and realistic, and the Mexican setting is bright and exuberant. In regard to the nonsensical anti-music setup, this is the anti-Hollywood movie. Where Hollywood starts with an interesting premise then devolves into hackneyed and formulaic storytelling, Coco starts with nonsense, just to let it get to the fun parts.
But the rest of the movie is fun. At first, it seems like a standard Wizard of Oz style quest to go home, but then twists it with mild, but satisfying surprises. There are gags throughout, but they're folded seamlessly into the story and the universe. Even if they don't necessarily add to the plot, they importantly never deviate from it. The plot itself is satisfying and cathartic, even if predictable. One of the film's strongest aspects though is the emotional attachment it manages to evoke in the audience. There are several moments of intense both intense sadness and joy. Unlike so many movies, you genuinely feel happy to have shared in these imaginary characters' lives.
Probably the most remarkable thing about the movie, however, is that it is such an impressive way of helping kids deal with death and mortality in both a non-horrifying and non-trivial way. Most likely just as the Mexican "Day of the Dead" the plot is based around is meant to do. What a wonderful way to not just shine a light on a culture, but to show its remarkable value.
Exceptionally well done.