After what seemed a hundred previews and what seemed a three hour animated feature called “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” I was ready to leave. (It really was about a  total 45 minutes of the previews and Olaf movie—and this is a guy who used to sit through 2 feature films, a cartoon, a newsreel, coming attractions and whatever else they use to throw at me!)

When “Coco” started I wasn’t really into it though it always amazes me what they can do in full length ‘cartoons’ today compared to yesterday. Just the techniques, color, effects, visuals and how the characters move always floors me. Before I knew it I was totally involved with the story and, not ashamed one bit, was crying more than I cried in “Bambi” when his mother was killed—and I was 6-7 years old then!

Though “Coco” takes place during Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, that isn’t what caused the tears as death here is made up of dreams, hopes, wishes, music, tender and funny moments, families and, yes, clichés.

The basic story is of a 12-year-old boy who wants to be a musician like his hero but his family has outlawed music because of this hero, his great-great-grandfather, deserting the family to catch fame. The boy feels he has to play music and like his hero leaves his family but in the process crosses over into the Land of the Dead.

That’s all I’ll say about the story because you have to discover what happens on your own without any spoilers.

The animation, voices, movement, songs are almost a separate story by themselves and yet as you follow the 12-year-old boy Miguel voiced by Anthony Gonzalez he becomes a real flesh and blood boy. His idol, the late, great and famous Ernesto de la Cruz is voiced by Benjamin Bratt who is drawn to look like the old Hollywood star Gilbert Roland while his great-great-great grandmother, Mama Imelda is voiced by Alanna Noel Ubach, his Abuelita, the family enforcer, by Renee Victor, his great-grandmother by Ana Ofelia Murguila, who is Coco, not to forget the rascal Hector played by Gael Garcia Bernal.  Oh yes, every good animated film, old or new, has an animal sidekick and “Coco” has Dante, a dog with the longest tongue you have ever seen on a dog and Pepita, a flying tiger-like creature, bothalebrijes, fantastical Mexican folk creatures.

The screenplay by Adrian Molina and Matthew Aldrich is certainly mature enough for adults and still provide a lot of enjoyment for the kids. I really don’t know how a director ‘works’ in an animated film but Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina obviously did their job.

The signature tune “Remember Me”, written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, stands out among the traditional music and tunes.

“Coco” is a perfect example of all that is new in animation, has an interesting story and will be enjoyed by all though I would suggest you time it to come in after the previews and if you aren’t a “Frozen” fan (are there any?) then call the theatre and ask them what time “Coco”, the film, starts!

Movie trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga6RYejo6Hk