Popyrus |Cinema&Arts|
In a world
where music and memories interlace, comes a heartfelt, captivating, animated
tale that showcases the power of family, the magic of music, the true meaning
of love, loyalty ,and reflects the importance of accolading our roots and the perpetual
bond between generations. This world is COCO.
- Storyline:
The American animated inventiveness film “COCO” was released in 2017. It showcases the “Día de los Muertos” which is the day of the dead in Mexico, when this day is a joyful time and assists the people in remembering their dead ancestors and their memories with them. The film was produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures, it was directed by Lee Unkrich, co-directed by Adrian Molina, the screenplay was by Matthew Aldrich and Adrian Molina ,and the screen story was by Lee Unkrich and Jason Katz.
The main
character was the child Miguel ,performed by Anthony Gonzalez, with Héctor by Gael García Bernal, Ernesto de la Cruz by Benjamin Bratt ,Mama Coco presented by Ana Ofelia Murguía ,Mama Imelda
portrayed by Alanna Ubach and Abuelita presented by Renée Victor.
In the vibrant
town of Santa Cecilia, A young boy named Miguel resided there. Miguel was a skilled
musician who wanted to be a prominent
guitarist like his role model Ernesto de la Cruz. But his family decided to outlaw
the music. Because Imelda, Miguel's great-great-grandmother, encountered
disappointment when her musician husband abandoned them and their young
daughter to pursue his interests.
Then, Miguel by coincidence discovers an old photograph of his great-great-grandfather on the Day of the Dead. The grandfather is seen carrying an instrument that seems identical to Ernesto de la Cruz's renowned guitar. After that, Miguel unintentionally travels to the Land of the Dead. He stumbles onto his departed family members there, who are delighted to see him but desperately want him to get back to the land of living.
But Miguel can only go back if his family gives him a blessing,
which they refuse to provide him unless he pledges to give up music forever.
Determined to pursue his passion, Miguel embarks on a journey with the
assistance of a savvy skeleton named Hector.
After that, Miguel and Hector make a startling discovery as they seek to uncover the mysteries surrounding their family's background. They discovered that Miguel's actual great-great-grandfather, Hector, was the original composer of the songs that Ernesto de la Cruz stole. So they decided to uncover the truth and preserve Hector's legacy. As Coco's tale draws to a close, Miguel shares his music with the world, becoming a prominent guitarist, and honoring the memory of his great-great-grandfather, Hector, whose melodies touch the hearts of people for several generations to come.
This animated movie not only captivates viewers with its vibrant visuals and endearing characters but also conveys a profound message about the significance of family, the need to nurture strong familial bonds ,and the strength of forgiveness. It emphasizes the importance of remembering all family members, both living and deceased. Moreover, the film portrays the main character, Miguel, as he obstinately follows his dream emphasizing the value of seeking for our goals and remaining steadfast to attain our happiness.
- Screenplay:
The flow of the
scenario was fabulous, captivating, skillfully
written ,and leaving the viewers eager to wonder
about the future events that will unfold creating a sense of curiosity and
intrigue. Moreover, this film is distinguished by the remarkable and creative
development of the characters, the skillful voiceover of the performers, and
the realistic scenes in Mexico. Similar to the plots of the previous Disney
Pixar movies "Inside Out" and "Up," "Coco"
effectively and simply illustrates the complex and intricate of human
nature in an approachable way.
Additionally, the protagonist Miguel is a particularly fascinating character, to his admiration for music drives him to embark on a wonderful journey. The script effectively portrays his inner conflicts, his progression, and his unwavering determination to accomplish his goals. Besides, the script produces a rich story by masterfully balancing moments of humor with dramatic emotional effects.
- Acting:
The acting in Coco is exceptional, every character in the film has
a heartfelt and memorable performances that bring the characters to life. The
voice cast, including Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, and Benjamin Bratt,
deliver remarkable and distinctive performances that are filled with emotion,
authenticity, enhancing the storytelling and connecting viewers to the
characters' journeys. Moreover, the supporting cast also shines, adding depth
and authenticity to the film. The acting combined with stunning animation,
creates a captivating and immersive experience for viewers.
The scene where
Hector portrayed by “Gael García Bernal” and Miguel presented by “Anthony
Gonzalez” perform the song "Poco Loco" together, marks a significant
moment for Miguel as he showcases his talent and sings in front of a sizable
crowd for the first time. Despite Miguel's initial nervousness, Hector
motivates him to embrace his abilities and they deliver a passionate and
heartfelt performance. The audience's reaction reflects their admiration and
amazement.
Furthermore, the scene between Imelda presented by” Alanna Ubach” and Hector beautifully demonstrates the transformative power of acceptance and unspoken love. Imelda's perception of Hector shifts when she realizes the truth and understands that he never abandoned her and their daughter due to his dreams. This realization highlights the importance of tolerance and empathy in relationships. The scene also portrays the depth of their bond and the underlying affection that has been hidden for so long.
Besides, in the poignant scene, Hector is granted passage to the world of the living as his daughter Coco portrayed by “Ana Ofelia Murguía” remembers him before her passing. As he crosses through the gate, he is joyfully reunited with his wife and daughter, and together they journey to the land of the living on the Day of the Dead to visit their family. This heartwarming moment is full of happiness and delight because Hector became able to see his loved ones once again. This scene beautifully illustrates the profound significance of family in our lives and the unconditional love it encompasses.
One of the pivotal and perhaps the most significant scenes in the movie is when the entire family, both living and departed, gathers together at the end. In this heartwarming moment, they embrace Miguel's passion for singing and allow him to showcase his beloved talent. It is a scene that brims with love, joy, and the warmth of family connections, while also serving as a beautiful tribute to the deceased family members, celebrating and remembering them.
- Special Effects:
This tale features outstanding visual effects. Through its breathtaking special effects and superb visual skills. Furthermore, it creates a mesmerizing cinematic experience by skillfully fusing conventional animation techniques with magnificent computer-generated imagery. Besides, the filmmakers of Coco took extensive research trips to Mexico to authentically portray Mexican culture, they visited museums, markets, plazas, workshops, churches, haciendas, and cemeteries. Inspired by the Día de Muertos traditions, they drew inspiration from the marigold paths that lead to altars adorned with family photos, beloved foods, and cherished objects to lead the soul of a family’s loved member back to their home. The brilliant orange color is intended to symbolize family connection, which comes from the Aztec Golden Marigold, a flower traditionally employed in Mexico to warmly receive the spirits who visit during the Day of the Dead.
The land of the dead, inspired by the hilly Mexican town of Guanajuato,
its towers high above the ground. So the Land of the Dead is portrayed in this
shape and also surrounded by water like Mexico City’s ancient history, it has
also a tremendous amount of light to illuminate, due to it is always nighttime
in it.
In addition, the Land of Living is inspired by real villages in Mexico,
and its color palette is enriched by the brightly colored decorations related
to the Día de Muertos celebration. The cemetery also in the real isn’t dark and
sad it’s festive, there are handmade decorations and hundreds of candles, so
they inspire its shape in the movie from the real cemetery in Mexico.
They also integrated elements that have fabulous special effects like Dante, the beloved character in the movie belongs to the Xoloitzcuintli breed, commonly known as the Xolo dog, which is Mexico's national dog and is known for its nearly hairless appearance. They also presented Pepita, an Alebrije in Coco, who serves as Mama Imelda's loyal spirit guide. It appeared in the Land of the Dead. This brightly colored creature combines the features of a wildcat with impressive wings, and it is a dreamlike animal from Mexican folk art.
The elements in this animated movie were expertly crafted to be visually captivating and appealing. The film utilizes vibrant, cheerful color palettes, impactful lighting, and the prominent use of orange color, cemetery colors, and real-world city designs. The result is a professional and captivating presentation that engages and delights the audience.
- Music:
The music in Coco is a delightful and magical addition to the film, evoking depth, emotion, capturing the essence of family, and embracing the rich tapestry of Mexican cultural authenticity. Additionally, through the work of acclaimed composer Michael Giacchino who was awarded Grammy Awards, Emmy Awards, and a Golden Globe for his songs in films like "Up", "Ratatouille", "The Incredibles", "Star Trek", "Inside Out" and "Zootopia" it was anticipated that every song would play a significant role in the movie, further solidifies the expectation of excellence in the musical composition of Coco.
The signature standout song in Coco is “Remember Me”. This emotionally powerful and heartfelt melody serves as a key element in connecting the story, particularly in Mama Coco's narrative, when Miguel sings “Remember Me” to Mama Coco, it becomes a poignant reminder that prevents her from forgetting her father. Due to it being composed by Coco's father.
Another powerful song, which is “Un Poco Loco”,is an adorable and infectious song that captures the theme of love. It exemplifies the classic love themes found in Mexican regional music. This soundtrack is also infused with nostalgia, evoking memories and emotions tied to family, tradition, and a sense of belonging.
Coco also showcased the “La Llorona” song, which is connected to Mama Imelda, Miguel's great-great-grandmother. The song represents her pain, regret ,and reasons for baning music in the family. The song explores themes of love, loss, and the consequences of choices made. It also highlights the significance of understanding and honoring one's family history and the power of forgiveness. Moreover, the song's haunting melody and lyrics evoke feelings of sadness and longing, mirroring the emotional journey of the characters. Furthermore, “La Llorona” adds cultural authenticity due to the song is deeply rooted in Mexican folklore.
“Proud Corazón” is one of the songs that deserves to win the master scene at the end of the movie, because Miguel finally knows that he doesn't have to choose between his love for music and his love for his family. Eventually he became able to sing in the “Día De Los Muertos” celebration with his living and dead relatives. Moreover, through the powerful lyrics and uplifting tune of this song, the film illustrates themes of self-expression, cultural identity, and chasing one's dreams.
- Editing:
The editing in the movie "Coco" is masterfully executed it enriches the overall storytelling process and provides a seamless transition between scenes. The scenes' transitions and sequence are skillfully constructed, supplying the audience with an unambiguous story path and an extensive emotional experience. Additionally, the editing is notable for its seamless and fluid transitions between multiple realms, especially the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead.
These transitions are masterfully executed, they offer a narrative and visual continuity that seamlessly transfers the audience between these various realms. The pacing of the film is well-balanced and provides periods of reflection, emotion, and enthusiasm. Furthermore, the editing ensures that the narrative develops at a captivating pace, grabbing the viewer and sustaining their engagement throughout. On the other hand, a seamless transition between the different narratives creates a cohesive and immersive viewing experience.
- Cinematic Gems Capture the Essence of Coco
In the realm of cinema, some movies stand as kindred spirits to the
masterwork Coco. These cinematic gems encapsulate the core of Coco's engrossing
narrative, the visual splendor of its animation, and the thoughtful examination
of cultural heritage.
One of these movies is "The Book of Life" (2014). Is an animated film like Coco, immersing viewers in a poignant love story set in the fascinating realms of the Land of the Remembered and the Land of the Forgotten and emphasizes the concept of remembering the deceased, it also masterfully blends Mexican culture, folk art, music, and traditions through breathtaking visuals. Just like Coco, "The Book of Life" explores the value of family, the strength of remembrance, and the richness of cultural heritage.
In addition, there's another film that resembles Coco, "Kubo and the Two Strings" (2016). It's a captivating stop-motion animated movie that skillfully combines a magical journey with the amusing universe of Japanese folklore. Kubo is a young child who embarks on an adventure to figure out the secrets of his ancestry. The film explores profound issues of family, memory, and the importance of honoring one's ancestors in this heartwarming story. "Kubo and the Two Strings" immerses audiences in a world where heritage and destiny merge, leaving a lasting impression on the importance of preserving our family legacy.
My overall rating for Coco is 5/5, due to every element being integrated
in a skillful way. Additionally, they portrayed the Mexican culture and folklore-inspired
from the real life in Mexico. All the color palettes are vibrant, immersing the
audience in a breathtaking realm.