Released in 2017, Coco is a Disney-Pixar animated film that tells the story of Miguel Rivera, a young boy who dreams of becoming a musician despite his family’s long-standing ban on music. Directed by Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina, Coco is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film set against the backdrop of the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). In this blog post, we will provide a detailed recap and review of Coco, exploring its plot, characters, themes, and the lasting impact it has on audiences of all ages.
Plot Recap of Coco
Miguel’s Passion for Music
The story begins in the town of Santa Cecilia, Mexico, where young Miguel Rivera (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) lives with his large, multi-generational family. Miguel’s family runs a shoemaking business, a tradition that began with his great-great-grandmother, Mama Imelda, after her husband abandoned the family to pursue a music career. As a result, music is strictly forbidden in the Rivera household.
Despite this, Miguel secretly nurtures a deep passion for music. Inspired by the legendary singer and movie star Ernesto de la Cruz (voiced by Benjamin Bratt), Miguel dreams of becoming a musician. He practices guitar in secret, idolizing Ernesto’s performances and philosophies. However, his family’s disapproval creates a major conflict for Miguel, especially as Día de los Muertos approaches—a day dedicated to remembering and honoring deceased loved ones.
The Journey to the Land of the Dead
On Día de los Muertos, Miguel discovers a long-hidden clue that suggests Ernesto de la Cruz may be his great-great-grandfather. Determined to prove his musical talent to his family, Miguel attempts to borrow Ernesto’s guitar from his mausoleum, inadvertently transporting himself to the Land of the Dead—a vibrant, fantastical world filled with the souls of the departed.
In the Land of the Dead, Miguel encounters his deceased relatives, including his great-great-grandmother Mama Imelda (voiced by Alanna Ubach), who forbids him from returning to the living world unless he agrees to give up music forever. Refusing to accept this fate, Miguel embarks on a quest to find Ernesto de la Cruz, believing that receiving his blessing will allow him to return to the living world without abandoning his dream.
Discovering Family Secrets
During his journey, Miguel meets Héctor (voiced by Gael García Bernal), a charming yet down-on-his-luck skeleton who offers to help Miguel reach Ernesto in exchange for Miguel placing his photo on an ofrenda (an altar honoring the dead) to ensure Héctor is remembered in the land of the living. As they travel together, a bond forms between the two, and Héctor reveals his own connection to Ernesto.
Miguel finally meets Ernesto, but the joyous reunion quickly turns sour when shocking family secrets are revealed. Ernesto is not the hero Miguel imagined. In fact, Ernesto betrayed and murdered Héctor, stealing his songs and rising to fame on the back of Héctor’s music. Miguel realizes that Héctor, not Ernesto, is his true great-great-grandfather.
The Climactic Finale: The Power of Family
As Miguel processes this revelation, he rushes to restore his family’s bond and save Héctor from being forgotten forever. In a thrilling climax, Miguel and his family confront Ernesto, and with the help of Mama Imelda and the rest of his ancestors, they expose Ernesto’s crimes.
Miguel returns to the Land of the Living just in time to help his great-grandmother, Mama Coco (voiced by Ana Ofelia Murguía), remember her father, Héctor, through the song “Remember Me.” This emotional moment reunites the family in both worlds, as Mama Coco’s memory of Héctor ensures he will continue to exist in the Land of the Dead.
Key Characters
Miguel Rivera
Miguel is the heart and soul of Coco. As a determined and passionate young boy, he defies his family’s expectations to pursue his love for music. Miguel’s journey is one of self-discovery and learning the importance of family heritage and honoring his ancestors.
Héctor
Héctor, portrayed by Gael García Bernal, is the film’s most complex character. Initially introduced as a mischievous skeleton with questionable motives, Héctor is revealed to be Miguel’s true ancestor and a victim of Ernesto de la Cruz’s betrayal. Héctor’s love for his family, particularly his daughter Coco, is central to the film’s emotional depth.
Ernesto de la Cruz
Ernesto de la Cruz is the film’s antagonist, a charismatic and beloved musician in life, but revealed as a selfish and villainous character in death. His rise to fame was built on the betrayal and murder of Héctor, making him a symbol of corruption and greed.
Mama Imelda
Mama Imelda is Miguel’s strong-willed great-great-grandmother who founded the family’s shoemaking business. While initially portrayed as the enforcer of the family’s anti-music stance, she ultimately reveals a deep love for her family and a willingness to forgive the past in order to protect them.
Themes Explored
The Importance of Family
At its core, Coco is a story about family. Miguel’s journey teaches him that while pursuing one’s passion is important, it should not come at the cost of family ties. The film emphasizes the value of remembering and honoring one’s ancestors, as they continue to play a vital role in shaping family identity.
The Power of Music and Identity
Music serves as a powerful force in Coco, both as a form of expression and as a means of connecting to one’s roots. For Miguel, music represents freedom, identity, and a way to communicate with the past. Ultimately, it is through music that Miguel helps his family reconcile with their history.
Death, Memory, and Legacy
The Land of the Dead serves as a metaphor for the importance of memory and legacy. The film illustrates that the dead are not truly gone as long as they are remembered by the living. This theme is poignantly explored through Héctor’s fear of being forgotten, and the film’s climactic moment when Miguel helps Mama Coco remember her father.
Review of Coco
Animation and Visuals
Pixar has long been known for its groundbreaking animation, and Coco is no exception. The Land of the Dead is brought to life with stunning colors, intricate details, and imaginative world-building. The vibrant and culturally rich depiction of Mexico’s Día de los Muertos is both respectful and visually arresting. From the skeletal designs of the characters to the glowing, neon-lit streets of the afterlife, every frame of Coco is a feast for the eyes.
Performances and Voice Acting
The voice acting in Coco is outstanding, with Anthony Gonzalez’s portrayal of Miguel being particularly impressive. His performance captures the passion, frustration, and emotional growth of the character. Gael García Bernal’s Héctor is equally compelling, bringing humor and vulnerability to the role. Benjamin Bratt’s Ernesto de la Cruz is charismatic, capturing the character’s charm and hidden malice.
Music and Soundtrack
The music of Coco is integral to the story. The film’s soundtrack, composed by Michael Giacchino, blends traditional Mexican music with original songs like “Remember Me,” which plays a pivotal role in the plot. “Remember Me” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and its recurring use throughout the film adds layers of meaning to the story.
Final Thoughts
Coco is a masterpiece that goes beyond being a typical animated film. Its exploration of Mexican culture, combined with universal themes of family, memory, and identity, makes it a deeply moving experience. With its vibrant visuals, memorable characters, and emotionally resonant story, Coco is a film that appeals to both children and adults alike.
The film’s message—that we should never forget where we come from and always honor our loved ones—strikes a universal chord. Coco is not just a celebration of life, but a reminder of how our memories keep the spirit of our ancestors alive.
FAQs about Coco:
1. What is Coco about?
Coco follows a young boy, Miguel, who embarks on a journey to the Land of the Dead to uncover his family’s past and pursue his dream of becoming a musician despite his family’s ban on music.
2. Why does Miguel’s family forbid music in Coco?
Miguel’s family forbids music because his great-great-grandfather abandoned the family to pursue a music career, causing Mama Imelda to impose the ban as a way to protect future generations.
3. What is the significance of the song “Remember Me” in Coco?
“Remember Me” is central to the plot as it represents the connection between Héctor and his daughter, Coco. The song plays a crucial role in helping Mama Coco remember her father and restore the family’s legacy.
4. Who is the villain in Coco?
Ernesto de la Cruz, a famous musician, is the main antagonist. He betrayed Héctor, stole his songs, and became famous, all while hiding the truth about his actions.
5. What is Día de los Muertos in Coco?
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that plays a central role in Coco, where families honor their deceased loved ones by placing their photos on ofrendas (altars).
6. How does Miguel end up in the Land of the Dead?
Miguel steals Ernesto de la Cruz’s guitar from his mausoleum, which causes him to be cursed and transported to the Land of the Dead.
7. What is the main message of Coco?
Coco emphasizes the importance of family, remembering one’s ancestors, and honoring family traditions, while also highlighting the power of music and following one’s passion.
8. Who are the main characters in Coco?
The main characters include Miguel Rivera, Héctor, Ernesto de la Cruz, Mama Imelda, and Mama Coco. Each character plays a vital role in Miguel’s journey of self-discovery and reconciliation with his family.
9. Why is Héctor forgotten in Coco?
Héctor is at risk of being forgotten because his photo is not on any ofrenda in the Land of the Living, and if no one remembers him, he will disappear from the Land of the Dead.
10. How does Coco portray Mexican culture?
Coco beautifully portrays Mexican culture, especially through its depiction of Día de los Muertos, the importance of family, and traditional Mexican music and folklore. Pixar worked closely with cultural advisors to ensure authenticity.
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