Pixar’s Coco is a fiesta

MOVIE: Coco STARRING: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt RATING: PG SHOWING AT: The Strand REVIEWER: Javier Encalada 5/5

AT a time when the Trump’s administration is convincing the US to build a wall, this film creates a bridge of understanding among cultures.

Pixar has delivered the most beautiful homage to Mexican culture and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) we have seen to come out of the US.

To say this film is delightful is an understatement.

And the main delight is the fact that Mexican culture is, in this film, respected, embraced and celebrated.

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 colourful Land of the Dead, accompanied by his dog, aptly named Dante.

Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector, and they set off on a journey to unlock the story behind Miguel’s family history.

Coco features animated caricatures or cameo appearances of legendary Mexican celebrities, which pay homage to many deceased Mexican celebrities including artist Frida Kahlo.

Being Hispanic, I had no issues connecting with this story, but I was unsure about Australian audiences connecting to such a set of foreign cultural references. My doubts dissipated when the audience approved of the film with thunderous clapping.

The story in this film is wonderful, the graphics are really well executed, Mexican mythology is translated into beautiful modern imagery and, above all, it entertains, educates and creates bonds with a country that is vast, proud and rich.

Go see this film. It has been touted as an Oscar contender.