The only thing I knew about Pixar’s latest entry (before The Incredibles 2 later this year, that is, woohoo!), was that it did a wonderful job representing another culture, and that it was going to make me cry. Well…bravo on both fronts, Pixar. Bravo.
THE BLURB:
Despite his family’s generations-old ban on music, young 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. After meeting a charming trickster named Héctor, the two new friends embark on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
WHAT WORKED:
The visuals. Good god. They are on DISPLAY in this film. Whoever thought of turning pueblo-Mexico, dia de los Muertos, Aztec-ian into a jewel-toned steam-punk/art deco wonderland is a goddamn genius. This world that Miguel gets sucked into is MAGICAL. In every way. Honestly, one of the best worlds Pixar has ever created. I love eeevverrryyything about it.
Miguel is the quintessentially adorable, active, funny, plucky, smart and talented hero that Pixar loves to present to us as the BEST that childhood can be. You love him instantly. Hector is a worthy sidekick and guide through the world of the dead, and Dante, the clueless doggo is the perfect Pixar-patented furry friend. We’re not reinventing the formula here, guys…we’re living in it and loving it.
Really, though, the potency of this movie is in its fundamental concept: the love of ones family, and the desire to be who we want to be. The grandmother stuff at the end is what turns all the adults into puddles.
And, oh! THE MUSIC! SO. FREAKING. GOOD.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK:
Not much…except the villain, who I won’t name. There’s a turn made from the villain, where we think he’s one thing, and he ends up being something else…and boy, was that turn unjustified. Big time. We’re talking actual life and death/damnation stuff in that turn, and it is glossed over like nothing. And man…when you have a weak villain, you’re gutting your entire fourth act, which is exactly what happens in this movie. It was a shame, because everything else was sooo gooood.
This is a worthy Pixar flick. It will make you love your family, and miss the loved ones who are no longer with us. It does a *wonderful* job setting an exciting, vivid tale in a culture that is not “white”…and it’s full, and real, and simply human. I wouldn’t say that it’s masterpiece-era Pixar. Those days are clearly behind us, unfortunately…but Pixar at least proves that they can still tell worthy stories, well-told stories, stories that make us FEEL something, and that they’re still better than most even when they’ve lost some of their edge.
7 out of 10 – recommended for anyone with a heart