Pop Culture Thoughts

Rating: 7/10 (27 December 2018)

Gloriously animated, "Coco" takes about twenty minutes to really get going, but when it does, it's an absolute delight for the senses. The animation is strikingly detailed without distracting from the plot, bringing to life a colorful world that's truly unlike anything I've seen in an animated movie before. The musical sequences are alternately gorgeous and touching, full of life and vigor without straying into obnoxiousness, and the movie's characters are well-rounded and engaging. But what makes "Coco" all the more impressive is its sprawling, sympathetic narrative, which finds its titular character lost in the afterworld while attempting to find a long-dead relative to benedict his burgeoning love of music. It allows the production team nearly limitless opportunities to create a self-contained world defined by its splendor and its peculiarities, and the finished product is stamped with a deliberate, unique visual and sonic identity. It's a great movie for all ages, but it will surely hold more meaning for those who already have an appreciation for music.