It's funny that when people go searching for Pixar's "Coco" will be met with my "Ballad of Coco" and that makes me happy. I did not make a kid's movie.
Once again, Pixar makes a lovely joyous movie about family.
The story is of Miguel, a young boy who grew up with relatives that passed the thought that music is evil (ever see "Footloose"?) This has nothing to do with anything tragic, but rather a man who had left his family and never returned. Generations later, the ban is still on, and Miguel has music in his heart. In his blood. And no one will deny him.
This movie is about...deep family love. A type of movie I desperately wanted to make in college. It is about deep family history that reaches the depths of our identity. And there are obvious pain that comes out with truth. But this is also a deeper spiritual sense to it.
Hiding their religious predilection (waiting for a Muslim movie), this is about the after life too. When we don't remember our loved ones, would they ever exist anyway? You really need family to remember who you are, and respectfully. Though we always believe we were meant from something bigger, sometimes the truth actually makes more sense.
What is Pixar's game plan in this movie? It is entertaining and paints Mexican as deeply familial. Even though young Miguel overlooks his parents and focuses on a later generation. Which makes perfect sense considering usually grandparents get along much more with their grandkids than their own kids. In this, Miguel just wants to play music. Is it believable he gets so good so fast? Not at all. But that's not the point. He could be chasing after the ghost of an actor rather than a singer. Or a master chef or...I dunno Pixar, I'm sure you figure it out. The point was that it's important not to dismiss the old just to make room for the new.
Love of family is a great message. And maybe this world will be too jaded and cynical for its message. But it is a beautiful movie and a fun adventure.
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