Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
It’s no secret that Disney•Pixar knows how to make a movie; with flicks like Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles on their roster, this collaboration has resulted in some of the best animated films ever. It’s no easy feat making a film that speaks to both children and adults, but Pixar manages to do it every single time. Their latest film, Coco, continues this tradition of excellence, and has the Academy Awards to prove it. Lucky for all of us, it’s now streaming on Netflix, so grab a friend and get your tissues ready. You’re gonna need ’em.
Directed by Lee Unkrich (Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Toy Story 3), Coco tells the story of Miguel, a 12-year-old boy living in Mexico who dreams of becoming a musician. Thanks to his guitar-playing great-great-grandfather who walked out on the family, however, music is forbidden in the Rivera household, so Miguel is forced to practice in secret. When Miguel finds out that his great-great-grandfather may very well be iconic musician Ernesto de la Cruz, Miguel defiantly enters a Day of the Dead talent show. By way of magical guitar, he inadvertently winds up in the Land of the Dead – and our adventure begins.
What ensues is a wondrous, colorful exploration of life, death, and beyond. As Miguel tries to make it back to the Land of the Living with the help of his deceased family members, he discovers the truth about his heritage and finds the beauty in tradition, evidently bringing him closer with his kin than he ever anticipated. Whether you’re easily moved to tears or usually pretty hard to crack, Coco‘s stunning storytelling and sweeping music will likely have you crying by its gorgeous conclusion.
So what exactly is it about Coco that makes it such a tearjerker? It’s a perfect blend of pretty much everything that can possibly tug at your heartstrings. In addition to being a visual feast, alive with vibrant colors and action in every sequence, Coco largely soars on the wings of its music, beautifully crafted to bring up every emotion imaginable. Death is explored better here than it is in most prestigious dramas created for an older audience, and it’s hard not to connect with some aspect of the story in one way or another. Coco is a love letter to tradition and family and honoring those who came before us, to the significance of dreams, to the wonder of childhood. Whether you’re reminded of someone you’ve lost or to revel in the joy of your family at present, this compelling, poignant film will affect you in surprising ways. Heartfelt sincerity is hard to come by these days, but Coco serves all that (and more) within its first five minutes.
We could go on for days about the movie miracle that is Coco, but for now, we recommend you hop on over to Netflix and stream it for yourself. You can thank us later. (After your tears have dried).
