Coco

Two years ago, Pixar managed to impress with the breathtaking Inside Out, and with their latest piece, which hides behind the modest title Coco. For 100 minutes, we can escape into a beautifully colourful spectacle where the world of the living and the dead – and the world of lies and truths – collide. I have to admit that I have not been moved by a film in the cinema (or indeed at home) for a very long time as much as with Coco. If you're expecting a crazy romp in a hundred colourful ways, you'll probably be disappointed, that's definitely not what this film is about. There are plenty of humorous scenes, but they are served in reasonable doses. In particular, this film relies on a deep story, which features more than one unexpected detour and, most importantly, the (already mentioned by many) plot twist that you don’t get in most animated films today. In short, a very good piece of work that reminds you that you should not judge a book by its cover, that every truth and lie has two sides, just like a coin, and above all that the most precious jewel we can get is a loving family. (01/18/2018)

For about three quarters of its runtime, it still feels like a classy four-star animated film, with lots of visual flourishes and ideas, some predictable sequences, and one weaker scene that I've seen in other films (the reveal of the bad guy to the public). But then it builds up to an incredible moving moment, and the pivotal scene with the song at the end made me cry like a little kid – something that hasn’t happened to me in a long time. It's true, the most important thing in life is the family being together in mutual love and respect for the elderly. On top of that, the eye-pleasing Mexican setting, unusual in Hollywood productions, its flair and positive mood. Yeah, it was very good. (08/06/2018)

The premise and the Mexican atmosphere are definitely great, but the characters aren’t fully developed. Not to mention that you can feel how much the film wants to be touching and I don't think it ultimately succeeds. I've seen prettier fairy tales. With nicer endings, more sympathetic protagonists and, most importantly, no annoying supporting characters. I’ll give an extra point for the music and the Spanish, but otherwise I consider it a slight disappointment. 3 stars. (09/25/2018)

A cloying story that relies solely on clichés and basic family values, led by a typical outsider whom everybody underestimates and prevents from dedicating himself to the only thing he enjoys. Fortunately, that routine development is abundantly spiced up after arrival in the Land of the Dead, and the film becomes visually and humanly richer and gets a relentless pace, and the fate of the heroes is closed in a way that will soften even the toughest grouch and will cause an unlimited flow of tears. The moral is important and also fun, so mission accomplished. 75% (11/08/2018)

I have nothing against animated films about the undead (how could I, right?), but Coco will definitely not become one of my favorites. I expect the world beyond to have a certain atmosphere, which Tim Burton is so excellent at. In this case I got some sort of a carnival of colors and joy. I get it that Mexicans have different traditions, but this film gave me the impression that they are practically looking forward to death, unless someone forgets to put up their photo. I didn’t find anything interesting about the story in the first half, the situation improved in the second half, but I can't say I was beside myself with joy. There was far too much music and family happiness for my taste. To enjoy the film, I would need better jokes and a less transparent plot. (03/09/2019)