Thoughts on Disney’s Coco

Since my university days, I’ve really enjoyed ‘reading’ films.  It’s something I haven’t featured a lot on here (not since La La Land and The Artist!) and I’ve decided to start sharing more of my thoughts on films that I enjoy.  I’m kickstarting this series with Disney’s ‘Coco’, which I watched recently with my mum and nieces, Lauren and Evie.

Coco is the most heartwarming, fun film I have seen in a long time. The narrative follows young Miguel, who has had to hide his passion (and talent) for music from his family.  Due to his great-great-grandfather leaving his family in pursuit of a career in music, it had always been a sore point and as such, all music was banned for the generations that followed.  And without wanting to give away too much of the storyline, Miguel finds himself in the Land of the Dead.  To return to his everyday life he must embark on what becomes, of course, an adventure of epic proportions.

In an increasingly individualistic world, Coco’s primary focus lies within the family. And not just in the ‘present day’ family, but generations of ancestors, too.  Mexico’s traditional Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a colourful celebration of loved ones who have passed on, and one I was unaware of before seeing Coco.  Pixar films are always a feast for the senses, but the visuals here raised the bar once more. From the rich, colourful visuals to the fantastic music, Coco had me entranced from the very start.

Coco strikes the perfect balance of humour and heartfelt sentiment that Disney never fail to deliver on. Don’t forget the tissues for the ending sequence. x