Quartile rating: 8.5/10 · 1 rating
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. 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 Hector, and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history.
Coco is a visually stunning Pixar triumph with a richly imagined Land of the Dead that stands among animation's most breathtaking achievements. The voice cast brings genuine warmth and emotional depth, particularly in the relationship between Miguel and Hector. The film's cultural specificity around Día de los Muertos gives it a distinctive identity and novelty that sets it apart from typical family fare. The plot, while emotionally resonant, follows a fairly predictable structure with a twist villain that feels somewhat telegraphed. The ending, though genuinely moving — especially the 'Remember Me' reprise — leans heavily on emotional manipulation that some may find overly engineered, keeping it from a top mark in that category.