I literally knew nothing about this film except that it’s titled “Coco” but I still decided I would watch it. I wasn’t disappointed and it proved to be quite good actually, in a way.
MAIN CHARACTERS
Anthony Gonzalez… Miguel
Gael Garcia Bernal… Hector
Alanna Ubach… Mama Imelda
Benjamin Bratt… Ernesto De La Cruz
Ana Ofelia Murguia… Mama Coco
Dante… Miguel’s loyal dog
THE BASIC PLOT
Miguel is a young boy in a family and they pride themselves of being good shoemakers. Their wish is that Miguel should keep that tradition alive. Miguel on the other hand, is more inclined towards a career in music and idolizes legend Ernesto De La Cruz. On knowing about his wishes, his family members are against it and go to the extent of breaking his guitar.
He just has his “great” or “great great” granny “Mama Coco” to open up to and one day stumbles upon a pic which features “Mama Coco”, his mother and his father (with no face). On scrutinizing it carefully, he notices Ernesto’s guitar in the picture and suspects Ernesto is his father. Consequently, his musical ambitions become stronger and he breaks into the late Ernesto’s museum during one of his frenzies to get hold of Ernesto’s guitar.
Following this, a strange sequence of events occur which see Miguel trapped between the “land of the living” and the “land of the dead”. Since Miguel seems to be only part apparition, apparently there is a way to transport him back to the land of the living with his family’s blessings. But even in the “land of the dead”, Miguel’s family don’t want him to pursue music as a career upon returning to life.
At this point, Miguel makes a brave decision to disregard his proper family’s blessings in favour of seeking out Ernesto’s blessings, whom he believes to be his father (also family). His intention is to get the blessing and hence the life most suitable to him, upon returning to the “land of the living” and is willing to go the extra mile for it. He finds an unlikely aide who helps him in his pursuits. He locates his father alright! The stars eventually align strongly in Miguel’s favour.
Upon watching the film, you will realise I’ve actually not disclosed the ending or any significant spoiler which was meant to be suspenseful.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FILM
1) For an animated film, the plot is quite convoluted with some logical parts and some abstract parts constituting the story. But it is entertaining throughout.
2) It can’t be said what we see in the film is a completely new concept. In a recent Fox Animation Studio’s animated feature, “The Book Of Life”, also we have the concept of “land of living” and “land of dead”. But in a different context.
3) There is no clear cut reason given as to why Miguel is transported to the “land of the dead”. Not even an abstract one. That is the only strong plot hole, from my point of view.
4) Maybe one of the more lively characters in the film is Miguel’s dog, Dante who is ever so lively and his everlasting loyalty combined with his playful demeanor makes him fun to watch.
5) There are ample humorous scenarios in the film and you never really get bored. At any given point of time, the film is cruising through its humorous or emotional scenes.
6) This film breaks new boundaries in terms of depiction of smuggling a living being from one location to another. A boy hidden within an orchestra member’s trumpet. A dog hidden under a woman’s skirts!
The new boundaries don’t stop there. There’s even a huge, flying, multicolored leopard like being in the “land of the dead”.
7) There is suspense, even though we have a decent general idea of how it may all turn out. It is not a very predictable film, although it has some predictable parts.
8) The production team has created a worthy “land of the dead” and it is fun to watch with its rules – what options one has to cross over to this land, what options do they have to return, how a character could face permanent oblivion in the “land of the dead”, no restrooms in the “land of the dead” for reasons you will realise. :D
9) The best scene in the film is probably when Miguel discovers who his father is. Also, when Miguel relates to “Mama Coco” about how much her father loved her is quite touching.
10) Till now, it may not be evident if “Mama Coco” is important. She is, even in the “land of the dead”. Having said that, the film is clearly not about her and should probably have been better named.
To conclude, I’d say this latest Pixar animated offering is quite potent despite its flaws and will not fail in entertaining you.