Film Review: Visual Excellence Aside, ‘Coco’ is Just So-So

Submitted by PatrickMcD on November 22, 2017 - 2:02pm

CHICAGO – “Coco” bears all the visual hallmarks of the Pixar Studio at its best, however its story bears the more recent symptoms of creative exhaustion. In this story, a young boy named Miguel (voice of Anthony Gonzalez) aims to follow his heart and pursue music, but toe tapping tunes have been strictly forbidden in his home….since his great-great grandfather left the family to go out on the road and pursue his own dreams.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

The only one who doesn’t immediately shut down Miguel’s dreams is his great grandmother Coco, but that’s largely because she’s old and hard of hearing. After Miguel hears about a contest in the plaza, he aims to break away from the family business and take his chances. But he is found out and his grandmother smashes his guitar. In desperation he attempts to borrow the guitar of the most famous musician in all of Mexico – Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), – on Dia De Los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) and accidentally winds up in the land of the dead himself.

”Coco” opens everywhere on November 22nd, in 3D and regular screenings. See local listings for 3D theaters and show times. Featuring the voices of Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Anthony Gonzalez, Renee Victor, Gabriel Iglesias, Cheech Marin and John Ratzenberger. Screenplay adapted by Michael Green. Directed by Kenneth Branagh. Rated “PG-13”