Family Matters

Rating: 9/10 (5 March 2018)

It looks like this year there are a number of great movies vying for the Oscar for best animated feature. Trying to choose just one is going to be a difficult task. Even more so when you see a film like COCO in the mix.
Years ago a musician in Mexico left behind his wife Imelda and their young daughter Coco to pursue his dreams of offering his music to the world. When he never returned his wife had to fend for herself becoming a shoemaker in their town. She passed her business on to her children along with the edict that no one would ever partake in or enjoy music in their family ever again.
Flash forward several generations to the present where young Miguel feels a passion for music in his soul. With no outlet he hides his talents, listening to the music of Ernesto de la Cruz and watching his old videos. Cruz was a national treasure, beloved by all, whose music is remembered to this day.
The annual Day of the Dead festival is fast approaching, a time when families gather together and honor their namesakes by placing pictures of them on the mantle surrounded by food and gifts when they return to look in on at their ancestors. Miguel is reminded of this by his grandmother, Coco's daughter, as she sets things in place with Coco sitting nearby, the oldest member of the family now.
In the hope of showing his family how wrong they've been about music Miguel decides to enter the local talent show during the festival. Before he can do so he is discovered and his guitar smashed to pieces. At the same time he finds the picture of Imelda was folded and it appears de la Cruz was his Grandfather. With no instrument he decides to borrow the guitar of de la Cruz displayed in his crypt. But on this magical night when the dead are allowed to look in on their families touching the guitar sends him to the Land of the Dead.
Miguel finds his family including Imelda. Still bitter she forbids him from pursuing music when she helps him return. Needing the blessing of a family member to return home, Miguel escapes Imelda and the rest, setting out to find de la Cruz with the help of Hector, someone who claims to know him. Their search reveals more than Miguel expected to learn as well as helping him to realize that family is indeed the most important thing there is. If only he can make it back to them.
Disney and Pixar have come up with a meaningful story that doesn't rely on a standard fairy tale, incorporating the traditions and history of a culture taken for granted many times. Most of us may not be aware of the traditions of the Day of the Dead or know only about it on a superficial level seeing the painted skulls on display in movies and TV. By using this as the background for the story here they're opening up to many for the first time the richness and importance of the holiday.
If the historical aspects themselves were not important enough the tale of the importance of family is one that should be heeded. In a world where young people toss aside their heritage and ignore the family structure in society this movie takes that concept and clings to it, showing that family is perhaps the most important thing there is in life. The support and love of family supersedes that of close friends, well intended politicians or anyone who feels they should be more important in your lives. In telling this story it shows the heart that is the center of a true family.
But the story isn't the only thing to enjoy here. The Disney tradition of mind boggling animation, in any format, is still on display. The sumptuous colors seen here will dazzle the eye and capture your imagination. Miguel's first glimpse into the world of the dead is fueled by a combination of deep blues and bright oranges mingling together to show the city lit in celebration.
When I first heard of this movie nothing piqued my interest. I'm delighted to report that even those unsure of whether to watch this film or not will find something to enjoy here. For me this is another great Disney movie to place on the shelf alongside the treasured classics of the past.
UPDATE: Since this review was written COCO has gone on to win the 2018 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Song. Congratulations to the film makers behind this film, it was well deserved.