Rina Li Man-hei - Coco [Review]
We asked our readers to write a review of a movie they think deserves an Oscar. Here is one of the entries. It has not been edited.
Without a doubt, Disney’s newest coming-of-age animation Coco spins a side-splitting, heart-warming tale of music, family, and dreams that people of all ages would enjoy.
Directed by Lee Unkrich and produced by Darla. K. Anderson, Coco follows the adventure of a twelve-year old boy, Miguel Rivera, as he pursues his dream of becoming a musician in a family that is completely against the idea of music, and somehow ends up in the extraordinary Land of the Dead. In the Land of the Dead, Miguel sets off to find “his great-great-grandfather”, Ernesto De La Cruz, to get his blessing which will bring him back to the Land of the Living, and along the way gets to know the seemingly disdainful trickster Hector, who in time turned out to be affable and caring, and someone very important to Miguel…
With vibrant visuals and sensational vocals, the film presents a brilliant interpretation of the Mexican culture’s afterlife, or Día De Los Muertos. It also touches our hearts with the moving, profoundly rich relationships between the large Mexican Rivera family – Miguel’s obvious affection for his great-grandmother Coco, when he’s roleplaying “superheroes” or sharing his day with her; or the strong bond Miguel and Hector had formed in the limited time Miguel had spent in the Land of the Dead – the “fatherly” protectiveness of Hector towards Miguel, as well as Miguel’s faith in Hector. It is definitely an Oscar-winning delivery of the moral, “…never forget how much your family cares for you”, because nothing is more important than family.
The film also teaches its audience, that courage is paramount in reaching success. As the film repeatedly reminds the audience, “seize your moment!” Be bold in reaching out and catching the first chance you get, because opportunities are not easy to come by in life. Don’t hesitate, and don’t be afraid in stepping up on stage in front of an audience of colourfully painted skeletons to perform publicly for the first time – which is what Miguel did!
Coco had left me in an absolute blubbery mess of tears and a huge smile on my face. I had thoroughly enjoyed this film, and I believe it can definitely win an Oscar!