A Fun and Cute Aesthetically Pleasing Family Fest

Rating: 8/10 (24 November 2017)

When I first saw the trailer for 2017's Coco, I was immediately intrigued at the sight of it's colorful visual style and lively animation. It looked like a new and unique concept coming from one of the best animation studios, Pixar. But could the film as a whole live up to the expectations it set for me through the trailer? I went to see the film to find out for myself, and left the film with a feeling of satisfaction. Despite a few minor flaws with the film's plot, the overall experience is one of full investment in world that is so lively and vibrant.
The film follows the story of a young boy, named Miguel, who wants to become a musician, despite his family's history of hatred for music. Through a series of events in an attempt to follow his passion and resist his family, Miguel accidentally ends up in the Land of the Dead. The rest of the film follow's Miguel's journey to retain his mortality without losing that which he holds most dear to himself.
In essence, the plot is fairly standard for Disney/Pixar family films. When you dissect the film, and strictly look at the plot, it's nothing that we haven't seen before. This is where most of the problems I have with the film come into play. Recurring tropes that we've seen before in other family films make their recurrence in Coco. The use of these recurring plot tropes does not compromise the overall experience. However, it does prevent more abstract and complex ideas to be explored and utilized in the film, which I find to be much more effect, especially in children and family films. The use of more complex and abstract ideas in a children films helps young viewers to gain a new and unique perspective of the world, which can be vital at such a young age of development. They won't gain this perspective if they are subjected to the same over- utilized tropes we've seen in a multitude of films.
What the film might lack in it's plot and story, it compensates for in it's aesthetic and unique visual style. The thing that sticks out in my mind when thinking back on the film is the overall visual aesthetic. More specifically, the use of environmental coloring. All of the objects in this film are so vibrant and stand out in my mind. It all pops right off of the screen and is very pleasant to look at. The film could have been nothing but establishing shots of the Land of the Dead, and I still could have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of it. Every character has such a unique style of movement in their animations, which helps them stand out through a visual means. The film takes full advantage of it's visual medium to, not only portray the story and characters, but to pull the audience into it's environment and immerse them in the world of the movie.
In addition to a visual appealing environment, the characters of the film are also warm and welcoming, making it easier to get drawn into the world of the film, and become invested in the conflict and struggles of our main characters. Miguel is a very warm and friendly child, who has a central conflict which many audience members can relate to, allowing them to easily attach themselves to his situation. Even if you don't relate to his struggle, he is likable enough that you find yourself rooting for him throughout the film. The supporting cast of characters, including a group of Miguel's skeletal ancestors from the Land of the Dead, are all intriguing and enjoyable characters, who you quickly become attached to. They all have fun dialogue, as well as unique faults and flaws, allowing them to become more dynamic characters. With the exception of a few, who fall into the similar plot tropes which we've seen reoccur in recent Disney and Pixar films, the characters all feel very warm and dynamic, and you enjoy watching their journey throughout the film's arc.
In conclusion, Coco is a fun and enjoyable film that will be good for the whole family. Adults will get as much enjoyment out of it as kids. Despite some annoying recurring plot tropes that we've seen in other children movies, the visual style of the film keeps you drawn in and invested the whole way through. The positives of this film are far greater than the negatives. Though it doesn't quite reach the same level of intellectual depth that children's films like Inside Out have reached, it still is a visual marvel with warm and welcoming characters that you root for. The enjoyable and fun atmosphere of the film carries throughout, and sticks with you after you walk out of the theater. The lighthearted and fun moments keep you engaged, and the film is not afraid to back down from some more sad and touching moments. I actually found myself tearing up, on occasion, in the last 20 minutes of the film, which does not happen very often for me as a film viewer. If you ever get the chance to see 2017's Coco, I would definitely recommend it. Watch it and see for yourself.