Coco: Cartoon About Day of The Dead

Introduction

Coco is a 3D computer-animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Lee Unkrich and co-directed by Adrian Molina, the film draws inspiration from the Mexican cultural event known as Día de Muertos (sometimes referred to as Día de Los Muertos), which translates to the Day of the Dead. This event emphasizes family gatherings to honor and aid the spiritual journey of deceased relatives, allowing them to revisit their loved ones. Coco is notable for being the first animated film to feature an all-Latino principal cast with a substantial budget of $175 million. It has been widely praised for its stunning animation, excellent voice acting, impressive music, emotional storytelling, and respectful portrayal of Mexican culture. The film was selected as the Best Animated Film of 2017 by the National Board of Review and won two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song ("Remember Me"). It also received the Best Animated Film award at the BAFTA Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Critics' Choice Movie Awards, and Annie Awards.

Plot Summary

The story centers on Miguel, a 12-year-old boy with dreams of becoming a musician, despite his family's strict prohibition against music. On the Day of the Dead, Miguel steals a guitar from a mausoleum to enter a music contest, which results in a curse that allows him to see and interact only with the dead, who appear in skeletal form. To return to the living world before sunrise, Miguel must receive a blessing from his deceased family members. However, his great-great-grandmother will only bless him if he vows not to pursue music. Miguel refuses and seeks the blessing of Ernesto, whom he believes is his great-great-grandfather.

Along his journey, Miguel meets Hector, who claims to know Ernesto and offers to help Miguel if he places Hector's photo in the living world, allowing him to visit his daughter before she forgets him. After facing several challenges, Miguel is separated from Hector but manages to sneak into Ernesto's mansion. While initially welcomed by Ernesto, conflict arises when Hector returns to seek Miguel's help. It is revealed that Ernesto murdered Hector and stole his songs and guitar. To prevent the truth from coming out, Ernesto seizes Hector's photo and throws both Hector and Miguel into a pit. Miguel and Hector reconcile, and Miguel discovers that Hector is his true great-great-grandfather. Miguel's family arrives to rescue them, and together they retrieve Hector's photo. During a confrontation with Ernesto, his secret is broadcast, leading to his downfall as he is crushed by a giant bell. However, Hector's photo is lost, and with sunrise approaching, Miguel is hastily returned to the living world without conditions. Aware of Coco's fading memory, Miguel plays "Remember Me" for her, reviving her spirits and prompting her to sing along. Coco then shares a torn piece of Hector's face from a family photo, along with letters from Hector, which serve to validate Hector's rightful legacy and expose Ernesto's theft.

Personal Reflection

I chose this film because of my interest in animation films and my coursework in 3D animation. Friends had recommended Coco to me, but I missed its theatrical release due to my demanding studies. This assignment provided the perfect opportunity to finally watch it, and I was immediately captivated by the smooth animation, recognizing techniques from my courses applied in the film. I often wondered how the animators achieved certain effects and learned from their work. Watching Coco exceeded my expectations, and I am thrilled to have experienced it. Had I seen it upon its release, I would have eagerly recommended it to my friends to share the enjoyment.

Themes and Messages

A central theme of Coco is the importance of perseverance in pursuing one's dreams. Despite his family's strict prohibition against music, Miguel remains determined to follow his passion. Most of us would feel discouraged in Miguel's position, as familial support is replaced with constant discouragement. Being repeatedly denied the opportunity to pursue our desires can be incredibly frustrating. Therefore, I admire Miguel's resilience in continuing to pursue what he loves, despite the obstacles he faces. His actions inspire me to work harder and do what I love most. This message is also one that director Unkrich seeks to convey, encouraging viewers to consider their relationships with family and ways to honor their loved ones. I appreciate how the film portrays Imelda, Miguel's great-great-grandmother, beginning to soften her stance toward Miguel as he expresses his love for music. Regardless of our family's disapproval, we remain connected by love, and they ultimately want us to be happy. Understanding this, they should support our passions.

Impact and Broader Context

In my opinion, the release of Coco provided comfort and warmth to Mexicans who felt disrespected by Donald Trump's proposal to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. While Trump sought to erect a wall, Pixar built a bridge of marigold petals. Director Lee Unkrich remarked, "We all feel incredibly humbled and grateful to be a part of putting something into the world that has had as much an effect on an entire community as 'Coco' has." Despite its focus on Mexican culture, Coco resonates with diverse audiences. Young people, including myself, often seek to forge our own paths rather than following in our parents' footsteps. We relate to Miguel's struggle to pursue his dreams. Additionally, young working adults can draw inspiration from Coco's message to remain true to our principles while striving for our goals. Independence is often equated with success, but Coco reminds us of the importance of staying grounded in our values.

References

• APA: Pixar Animation Studios. (2017). Coco. Walt Disney Pictures.
• MLA: Pixar Animation Studios. Coco. Walt Disney Pictures, 2017.
• Chicago: Pixar Animation Studios. 2017. Coco. Directed by Lee Unkrich. Burbank, CA: Walt Disney Pictures.
• Harvard: Pixar Animation Studios 2017, Coco, Walt Disney Pictures, Burbank, CA.
• Vancouver: Pixar Animation Studios. Coco. Burbank, CA: Walt Disney Pictures; 2017.