Preview: Coco
February 9, 2018
By: Kate Dolan
For decades, Pixar has been the gold standard for quality animated films, and rightfully so. They have released some of the most important, original, and challenging films of the last 20 years. Their most recent and highly anticipated release, Coco, catalogues yet another triumph for Pixar as it manages to give a very familiar story a fresh perspective.
Coco tells a story of a young boy, Miguel, whose passions of becoming a musician are stunted by his family-long tradition against music. In order to prove to everyone he is destined to be a great musician, he travels to the land of the dead to visit his idol and world famous musical genius, Ernesto de la Cruz.
One thing that sets this film apart is the terrific and authentic voice acting, which brings to life this already immensely bright and expansive world of Coco. Lee Unkirch, the film’s director, chose to forego traditional means of casting A-list movie stars to voice the characters. The story is based in Mexico, and as a result, Unkirch decided to select predominantly Latino voice actors. This decision was made to ensure the story would properly reflect its setting and give authenticity to its narrative.
One of the first things I took away from the film after watching it was the endless vibrant landscapes. In my opinion, it may be Pixar’s most visually beautiful film to date. The landscapes not only serve as visual feast, but also complement Miguel’s lively journey towards the expansive world of music. Along the trip, the overarching theme of family tradition is particularly powerful.
However, I would contend that it is in Coco’s softer, quieter moments which lie some of the most emotionally moving scenes of the film. The moments that emphasize the value of family, no matter how broken it is, were especially touching. It is nothing new for Pixar to explore such adult themes in their children’s movies, but to continue to deliver again and again with the utmost quality and respect is something to appreciate.
In closing, Coco is a genuine pleasure to watch. Miguel guides the audience through his unique and crazy world delightfully. The joyful moments are endlessly fun and its tender moments are sincere and lasting. Coco is able to provide the audience with a perspective they may not have experienced without engaging in the film. It is quite a journey and it is worth celebrating this immensely valuable film.
Join us here at Student Activities on Saturday February 17 at 8 and 10 pm in the LaHaye Event Space, and enjoy this colorful, exciting, and moving film. You won’t regret it.