One of Pixar's best movies in recent years

Rating: 8/10 (27 June 2018)

3.5/4
Pixar explores new territory in Coco, the realm of Mexican inspired music. Due to the rare hit (Inside Out) or likely miss (Finding Dory, Cars 2, Cars 3, The Good Dinosaur) status Pixar has maintained in the past 5 years, I steered clear of seeing this possible disappointment in theatres. However, Coco, along with Incredibles 2 releases the following year, proved that Pixar was stepping up their game for good this time.
The story follows a 12-year-old boy named Miguel who's passion for music is being stifled by his relatives, who forbid music. They instead want him to be a shoemaker in the family shop. This is due to a long past family tragedy involving a musician. When Miguel is fed up with being deprived from music, he runs from home to preform in a music show. His disobedience leads him on a journey through the Land of the Dead to find his ancestor, the musician.
The film shows a great understanding of its protagonist's circumstances, as Miguel is essentially unhappy apart from music. These characters, much like those of most other Pixar movies, tackle real emotions. You feel you know them on levels you wouldn't know them in, for instance, a Dreamworks movie.
In the objective sense, the story of Coco is very well done and fleshed out. It was definitely a solid, intricate plot and kept the audience on edge. This movie's plot rivals the likes of Ratatouille and Toy Story, and is definitely a more complex universe.
Your emotions tend to run off with Coco more than the average Pixar movie. Nothing will get those tears jerking quite like the leading single of the soundtrack "Remeber Me". Every song further propels Miguel's journey in such a soulful, emotional manner. You can see the effect music has on Miguel much in he same way it makes the movie. It would be a dreary Coco without the vibes put out by it's melodies.
I realized how great the animation was when I saw the bridge of orange rose pedals seperating the living and the dead for the first time. The colors popped through the entire movie and produced a very Mardi Gras vibe. I really enjoyed the richness of the visuals. If you can, I recommend you see this in HD.
While the renegade musician's journey doesn't quite have my vote for Pixar's best movie, it's a force to be reckoned with. If you get the chance to see it, don't pass it up.