LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Film Clips


Image provided

Since 1995, Pixar has been raising the bar of the animated film industry. We have been waiting patiently for their next release and now it is time for "Coco." Once again Pixar has set the animation bar a few notches higher. "Coco" is set in Mexico during the Mexican holiday "Day of the Dead." This is a multiday holiday that focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember those members who have died, and to help support them on their spiritual journey. "Coco" is a real tear jerker and will pull at your heartstrings as often as Miguel, the lead character, plays the strings on his guitar. There will not be a dry eye when the credits roll. "Coco" does more than just yank at your heartstrings. It's a wonderful adventure, a beautiful story and a stunning piece of art that the entire family will enjoy. In fact, you will be catching yourself singing the songs from the movie afterward.

"Coco" follows 12-year-old Miguel (voiced by newcomer Anthony Gonzalez), the youngest member of a close family that has banned music for generations. Still, Miguel dreams of becoming a musician. After making a questionable decision, he finds himself trapped in the Land of the Dead as a living boy. He gets help from his deceased relatives, a stray dog and some new friends to get himself back to the Land of the Living.

"Coco" has an all-Latino cast including Benjamin Bratt, Gael Garcia Bernal and Edward James Olmos. Mexican culture takes center stage from the music, to the food, costumes to the vibrant colors present in the Land of the Dead. Coco is the perfect holiday movie, which celebrates the large extended family structure and appreciation of ancestral history for which Latino culture is known.

I would recommend parents of kids under 10 years see the movie before taking your little ones. Some of the Land of the Dead visuals may be too frightening for youngsters. "Coco" is appropriate for older kids, which will expose them to the Latin culture. Also, be prepared to be asked questions about death and dying.

As Miguel states in the movie, "We may have our differences but nothing is more important than family."

"Coco" is rated PG with a total running time of 1 hour and 55 minutes.

Enjoy the start of the holiday season and take the family to see "Coco." You will not be disappointed. Pixar does it again!