Disney Pixar Coco is an inspiring and deep movie. The movie explores some dark topics, such as death, but it has an uplifting and inspiring message. It also has a festive soundtrack that makes you want to dance. The story takes place in Mexico. From the food and clothing to the holiday itself, the creators did a good job of showing the culture in an authentic way. In today’s Pixar Coco movie review, I’m covering my reaction after seeing it at the USA premiere in Los Angeles.

FUNNY BONES – In Disney•Pixar’s “Coco,” several members of the Rivera family call the Land of the Dead home, including (from L-R): Miguel’s great-grandfather Papá Julio (voice of Alfonso Arau), Tía Victoria, family matriarch and Miguel’s great-great-grandmother Mamá Imelda (voice of Alanna Ubach), identical twin uncles Tío Oscar and Tío Felipe (both voice of Herbert Siguenza) and Tía Rosita (voice of Selene Luna). Directed by Lee Unkrich, co-directed by Adrian Molina and produced by Darla K. Anderson, Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2017. ©2017 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Disney Pixar Coco Movie Review

When I watched the movie at the red carpet premiere at El Capitain Theater in Los Angeles, seeing the colors on the big screen in front of me was impressive. This is a very visual film with bright colors that show how festive the Mexican culture is. The directors Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina did an incredible job.

SPECTACULAR ENCOUNTER – In Disney•Pixar’s “Coco,” aspiring musician Miguel (voice of Anthony Gonzalez) takes an extraordinary journey through the Land of the Dead in search of his idol. He finds that Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt) just might be an even bigger star than he was in the Land of the Living. Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2017. Tickets are on sale now at Fandango and Atom. ©2017 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Traditions To Keep Memories Of Ancestors Alive

This movie and the music truly evokes emotions. It leaves you thinking about what it’s like to lose a loved one. The plot is as much for adults as it is for children. Watching it made me think about the memories of my own family who I’ve lost and made me consider how I still treat them now. At my parent’s home, my mother has up a beautiful wall with black and white photos of all the ancestors on both sides of my family who have passed away. Even though we are Italian (not Mexican) and do not celebrate the Day of the Dead, this wall is a tradition that reminds us to keep those ancestors’ memories alive.

MARIGOLD BRIDGE — In Disney•Pixar’s “Coco,” Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) desperately wants to prove his musical talent. But when he strums the guitar of his idol, the late Ernesto de la Cruz, Miguel sets off a mysterious chain of events and finds himself—and his loyal dog Dante—crossing into the Land of the Dead via a breathtaking bridge made of marigold petals. Directed by Lee Unkrich, co-directed by Adrian Molina and produced by Darla K. Anderson, “Coco” opens in theaters Nov. 22, 2017. ©2017 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Miguel And Coco

Seeing the main character Miguel (voice by Anthony Gonzalez) with his great grandmother Coco (voice by Ana Ofelia Murguía) made me remember my grandmother (my children’s great grandmother). On my red eye flight home, I was suddenly remembering her holding my younger daughter when she was only months old. The movie made me appreciate that I captured that moment with a photograph. My daughter can remember her great grandmother forever.

FAMILY TIES — In Disney•Pixar’s “Coco,” aspiring musician Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) feels a deep connection to his great grandmother, Mama Coco. Concept art visual design by Sharon Calahan and animation by Kristophe Vergne. Directed by Lee Unkrich (“Toy Story 3”), co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist “Monsters University”) and produced by Darla K. Anderson (“Toy Story 3”), “Coco” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2017. ©2016 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

The Fear Of Being Forgotten

Most people worry about what would happen if you were forgotten. This movie explores the universal fear and the hopelessness we would feel if no one remembered us. It also makes you think, what would you want to be remembered for? Whether you want to be remembered for having talent, being kind, or making a difference, this film leaves you thinking about what would happen if you weren’t successful at getting people to remember you at all.

A Stubborn Child

Then you have the brave, unstoppable character Miguel, who has no fears. His biggest worry is that because of an old family rule, he can’t play guitar, but playing music is what drives him forward in life. Not playing would be unnatural for him. Also, his great grandfather was a talented guitarist. Unfortunately, the great grandfather left his family to pursue music. That is why the family rule is to never play music.

Hoping to enter a music talent competition, Miguel becomes consumed with the idea of seizing the moment. He steals from the dead, and out of all nights for him to do that, it’s the Day of the Dead. Traditionally, the Day of the Dead is a time to remember those who have gone on to the afterlife. People usually put nice things on the altar to give back to those souls. To take from the dead is a very serious thing. For this reason, Miguel ends up in the land of the dead where he goes through a series of adventures.

NAME THAT TUNE – In Disney•Pixar’s “Coco,” Miguel’s love of music ultimately leads him to the Land of the Dead where he teams up with charming trickster Hector. “Coco” features an original score from Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino, the original song “Remember Me” by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and additional songs co-written by Germaine Franco and co-director/screenwriter Adrian Molina. Also part of the team is musical consultant Camilo Lara of the music project Mexican Institute of Sound. In theaters on Nov. 22, 2017. © 2017 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Unforgiving Family

He must receive his family’s blessing to get back home. His great grandmother Mama Imelda (played by Alanna Ubach) will only give her blessing if he never plays music again. For Miguel, it is hard to hear that this ancestor will give her blessing for him to be alive only if he gives up the one thing that truly makes him feel alive. Miguel knows he cannot give up his true passion in life, so he goes in search of his great grandfather.

FAMILY REUNION — In Disney•Pixar’s “Coco,” Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) finds himself magically transported to the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead where he meets his late family members, who are determined to help him find his way home. Directed by Lee Unkrich (“Toy Story 3”), co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist “Monsters University”) and produced by Darla K. Anderson (“Toy Story 3”), Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2017. ©2017 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Getting Your Family’s Blessing

This part made me think about how common this challenge is. Looking for acceptance before making a big decision happens all the time. So often, people settle for the less adventurous, less challenging, and less fulfilling route. A decision to do what is expected of you can often not truly lead to happiness.

BLESSED? – Aspiring musician Miguel learns from the head clerk in the Department of Family Reunions in the Land of the Dead that he’ll need a blessing from a family member to return to the Land of the Living. But Miguel’s great-great-grandmother Mamá Imelda’s blessing comes with an unfortunate condition. Featuring Anthony Gonzalez as the voice of Miguel, Gabriel Iglesias as the voice of the clerk and Alanna Ubach as the voice of Mamá Imelda, Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2017. ©2017 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Finding an okay to follow your dreams might never happen, but Miguel does gain this acceptance. I found myself cheering him on in his journey to discover himself.

Overall, the movie was a tearjerker, but for a movie that explores a dark topic, it was uplifting and inspiring. It is not a religious film, but it explores spirituality and morality. Not only does it have a great lesson about valuing the time you have with your family, but also the memories of those not with us anymore. It also reminds you to never give up your dream but to be responsible about the way you pursue it. There will always be a tomorrow (even in the afterlife), and making moral choices will pay off in the end.

Disney Pixar Coco movie poster

Pixar Coco Trailer & About The Movie

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Héctor (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

Directed by Lee Unkrich (“Toy Story 3”), co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist “Monsters University”) and produced by Darla K. Anderson (“Toy Story 3”), Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2017. For more information, check out Coco, Hashtag: #PixarCoco, Pixar Coco Facebook, Pixar Coco Twitter and Pixar Coco Instagram.

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Disclosure: I received a free trip to Los Angeles to cover the #PixarCocoEvent, but it in no way influenced my opinion.