Coco is the story of 12-year-old Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) aspiring musician who defies his family to go on a magical journey to the magical land of his ancestors. Coco has already won many awards including a 2018 Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Motion Picture, a 2018 BAFTA Best Animated Feature Film and is currently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) For song “Remember Me” and the coveted Best Animated Feature Film.
Coco is currently on digital in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ and on Movies Anywhere and will be on 4K Ultra HD,™ Blu-ray,™ DVD and On-Demand on Feb. 27.
Review
Let me preface this by saying that you should make sure that you have some tissues available to you during the film. The film follows the passionate Miguel into the land of the dead as he follows his dream of becoming a musician. Coming from a long line of shoemakers, his family is deadset against little Miguel becoming anything but a shoemaker and fight tooth and nail to get him to ditch the music.
Determined to make his dream come true, Miguel goes on a quest for a guitar and ends up trapped in the Land of The Dead on Dia de los Muertos where he meets his music-hating relatives and finds out much, much more about his love for music and his family.
The entire film is a colorful, musical masterpiece that hammers home the importance of family and following your dreams. You will be delighted with the music, as well of the animation. I fell in love with the characters, especially Dante the goofy dog, and was fell even more in love when I learned that he was based on the Mexican breed Xoloitzcuintli (or “Xolo”) in the Blu-ray extras.
The special features in the film are really a pleasure to watch, not only can you learn how the movie was made and see all of the research it took to make the film as authentic as possible, you also get to learn about the culture.
Special Features:
Deleted Scenes with Introductions – Director Lee Unkrich and co-director Adrian Molina talk about the deleted scenes and the part they played in the development of “Coco.”
- Día de los Muertos – In this musical extravaganza, the colors and excitement of Día de los Muertos come to life as we meet superstar Ernesto de la Cruz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVeRNuPPglo
- The Way of the Riveras – A musical number in which Abuelita and Miguel prepare their Día de los Muertos celebration while she teaches him Rivera family history and traditions.
- Celebrity Tour – Héctor, a Land of the Dead tour bus guide, agrees to help Miguel, revealed to be a living boy, on his quest to find de la Cruz.
- The Bus Escape – The Rivera family catches up to Miguel and Héctor and attempts to halt their mission to find de la Cruz.
I absolutely loved the story of the Alebrije or Spirit animals. In Mexican culture, Alebrije’s are creatures made out of paper maché or carved from wood. They are usually a mashup of many animals. They aren’t usually associated with Día de Muertos in Mexican culture. Pepita, as shown above, is a fierce Alebrije and exquisite to look at. All of the many colors are amazing and I hope when I do paint this canvas I can do it justice.
- Alebrije Attack – Miguel and Héctor are interrupted on their journey to find de la Cruz by a fierce alebrije.
- The Family Fix – After de la Cruz reveals his true colors, the Rivera family puts their dismay aside and comes together to repair the smashed guitar needed to send Miguel home.
- To the Bridge – As the Land of the Dead counts down to the end of Día de los Muertos, Miguel and de la Cruz come head-to-head on the marigold bridge.
- Filmmaker Commentary – Presented by Lee Unkrich (director), Adrian Molina (co-director) and Darla K. Anderson (producer).
- The Music of “Coco” – Collaborating with musicians of Mexico and some unique instrumentation, this documentary explores the beautiful fusion of music essential to the story of “Coco.”
- Paths to Pixar: “Coco” – Explore how the film crew’s personal stories resonate with the themes of the movie itself.
- Welcome to the Fiesta – A musical exploration of the skeletons that make the Land of the Dead in “Coco” so wondrous and intriguing.
- How to Draw a Skeleton – Pixar artist Daniel Arriaga gives a lesson on the quick and easy way to draw skeletons using simple shapes.
- A Thousand Pictures a Day – Join the “Coco” crew on an immersive travelogue through Mexico, visiting families, artisans, cemeteries, and small villages during the Día de los Muertos holiday.
- Mi Familia – Developing the Riveras was a labor of love that took the cast and crew on a deep dive into the meaning of family.
- Land of Our Ancestors – Watch Pixar artists lovingly construct layer upon layer of architecture from many eras of Mexican history, bringing the Land of the Dead to life.
https://youtu.be/tKyJ_HLCMIw
- Fashion Through the Ages – The cast of characters in “Coco” are from many different eras, making for some magnificent costuming opportunities.
- The Real Guitar – The majestic guitar that spurs Miguel on his journey through the Land of the Dead is a unique creation. Watch as it is initially designed by a Pixar artist and ultimately realized as a real instrument by a master luthier in this poetic ode to craftsmanship.
- Dante – How the crew fell in love with the uniquely Mexican breed of Xoloitzcuintli (or “Xolo”) dogs that inspired Dante.
- How to Make Papel Picado – Join Pixar artist Ana Ramírez González as we learn how papel picado is made traditionally, and then try your own approach to this beautiful art form.
- Un Poco “Coco” – A montage of original animated pieces used to promote “Coco.”
- “Coco Trailers” – Trailers include “Feeling,” “Dante’s Lunch,” “Destiny,” “Journey” and “Belong.”
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Dianna Ranere