Remember us...

Rating: 9/10 (4 December 2017)

Yeah, Pixar returns to telling classic stories of family and love in animated "Coco". Directors Adrian Molina and Lee Unkrich's "Coco" surprise with their story surrounding The Day of the Dead â€“ Dia de Los Muertos. Vibrant images and colors amaze with texture and wonder. "Coco"'s state-of-the art CGI visuals alone astound. Yet, its big heart lies in the story. Molina and Matthew Aldrich's screenplay resonates forgiveness and remembrance. When Anthony Gonzalez, who voices Miguel, sings "Remember Me" near the end tears shall fall. The stories and memories of those we love define legacy. That makes "Coco" so special.
Miguel's Great Great Grandfather abandoned his family to pursue his dream of becoming a musician. His great Great Great Grandmother voided the memory of her husband in photos and life, creating the family shoemaking business in his absence. She condemned all music for the family. Coco is Miguel's wheelchair bound Great Grandmother, who seems to remember very little, much less her Father.
However, 10 year-old Miguel has no interest in the family business. Secretly he is the singer songwriter, who plays guitar much like his Great Great Grandfather. His dream is to perform music like his hero Ernesto de la Cruz, voiced by proud Benjamin Bratt. His music inspires Miguel.
On Dia de Los Muertos the spirits of deceased family members visit their homes in the real world. These spirits who look like luminescent skeletons cross over the autumn leave covered bridge between our world and the Dead. Rather unnerving and creepy at first, this soon passes. Those forgotten in the real world become "truly" Dead.
In "Coco" Miguel crosses over to the world of the Dead when he steals Ernesto's legendary guitar. He needs to find Ernesto, who might be family. If Miguel fails to return by next sunrise he shall remain there forever. Surprisingly the world of the Dead is filled with multicolored lights and life. The sights and music of "Coco" delight.
On Miguel's journey to find Ernesto, he meets his deceased relatives including his Great Great Grandmother, who outlawed all music in the family. Miguel befriends musician Hector, voiced by whimsical compassionate Gael Garcia Bernal. As a friend of Ernesto, Hector promises to help Miguel meet him at his annual concert. Directors Molina and Unkrich create the touching bond between the two. Hector inspires Miguel to find his unique voice. While Miguel gives Hector the faith of family.
In Great Great Grandmother's epiphany, she may not forgive her husband for forsaking her and their daughter to pursue his love of music. Yet she remembers him, and remembers their love. In a sense remembrance allows for forgiveness.
At times "Coco" is loud pretty eye candy as it succumbs to the simple seek and find narrative. But the surprise reveals what you kind of know half way through. Miguel discovers his legacy and the family who loves him. Those who come before us are the possibility of love and becoming greater than we know. "Coco" touched my heart. Life is about love and family.