A great work of art

Rating: 9/10 (3 March 2018)

I was a little disappointed when I learned that the newest original Pixar movie (not a sequel) already seemed so familiar to an already made (and recent) animated movie - The Book of Life. Especially because I found that film to be incredibly good and the art so beautiful. I knew Coco would still be great, and that it would still be an original story (which it was), but I still can't help but still feel just a LITTLE disappointed that, being Pixar and all, they couldn't come out with something completely original. But, I realize that Hollywood is a small place, and I can't even imagine the politics of idea sharing there among the animated artist community. So, I wasn't AS excited about this film as I usually am, but its still my favorite Disney movie since Guardians of the Galaxy 2.
By far the most moving and memorable thing was the animation of the great grandmother - she was the primary symbol in this story about the continuity of life, told so well through the Mexican tradition of Dia de Muertos. Even before Book of Life, and as a person with no direct cultural links (although I traveled to Mexico with my family a couple times for my dad's business as a child), I have long been a fan of the holiday and wished it was also a part of our own American culture. Even though we tend to remember loved ones around the holidays, it is not a primary focus of Christmas, and I always wish we had a special day just for that. Instead, we tend to avoid thinking about the past in our culture, and avoid cemeteries except for funerals. I love the idea of celebrating the lives of loved ones passed.
As we've come to expect from Pixar and family animation in general, there is plenty of campy humor, and there are also abundant references to Mexican culture. I particularly enjoyed that Frida Kahlo was a character, and portrayed with her art. Also true to the genre, and particularly Disney, there were countless memorable characters, especially adorable Miguel, with one dimple. I also appreciated the numerous odd jokes, like the strange spirit animals or the shoes stuck in the ceiling. It made it feel not too perfect, which can make emotional films feel empty. Although I would have liked more music, because this is also a trademark Disney thing, the music that was present, was well placed. Despite being a film about a boy's passion for music, it is not a musical. The music, too, was representative of the culture being portrayed - classical guitar and traditional Mexican singing styles. In fact, after writing this, I plan on adding the sheet music to my Amazon wish list, as watching the guitar scenes inspired me to dig out my guitar.
Lastly, I cannot ignore the fact that I found great joy from this film about a culture not my own while in the current political landscape of anti-immigrant sentiment. This month (March), as Dreamers face legal battles and deportation, their native cultures are simultaneously being celebrated in mainstream art, and that troubles me. And even though I have a heavy heart from that fact, I take solace knowing that art is truer, and lasts longer than politics.