Disney•Pixar's COCO – On Blu-ray & DVD 2/27

*Disclosure- I received the mentioned product courtesy of the sponsor for the purpose of this review. All opinions are genuine, based on my experience with the product, and have not been influenced by promotional items.


It's not often that I find a movie that surprises me, but Disney•Pixar's Coco has done just that. 

Now that my girls are getting older, we've been moving away from animated films and on to titles that are geared more towards teens and young adults. When I first saw the Coco trailer I had a passing thought of, "Oh, that looks cute", but wasn't sure if we'd get around to actually ever watching the film. Then the movie hit theaters and the reviews came pouring in with how incredible the film was, I knew it was a movie that we couldn't pass up.

About:

In Disney•Pixar’s “Coco,” Pixar Animation Studios’ 19th feature film, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt)—despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Héctor (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history.

The voice cast of “Coco” includes characters from the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead. From the Land of the Living, Anthony Gonzalez (“Ice Box,” TNT’s “The Last Ship”) lends his voice to Miguel, Renée Victor (“Weeds,” “The Apostle”) provides the authoritative voice of Abuelita, and Jaime Camil (CW’s “Jane the Virgin,” Disney Junior’s “Elena of Avalor,” “The Secret Lives of Pets”) is the voice of Papá. Lombardo Boyar (“Happy Feet,” TNT’s “Murder in the First”) voices a town mariachi, and Ana Ofelia Murguía is the voice of Miguel’s cherished great-grandmother Mamá Coco. Sofía Espinosa (“Gloria”) provides the voice of Miguel’s loving Mamá, and Luis Valdez (“Which Way Is Up,” director “La Bamba” and “The Cisco Kid”) lends his voice to Tío Berto, Miguel’s hardworking uncle.

From the Land of the Dead, Gael García Bernal (Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle”) helps bring to life charming trickster Héctor, Benjamin Bratt (Fox’s “Star,” “Doctor Strange”) is the voice of Miguel’s idol Ernesto de la Cruz, and Alanna Ubach (“Meet the Fockers,” Bravo’s “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce”) provides the voice of Miguel’s great-great-grandmother Mamá Imelda. Alfonso Arau (“¡Three Amigos!” director/ producer “Like Water for Chocolate,” director “A Walk in the Clouds”) is the voice of Miguel’s late great-grandfather Papá Julio, Herbert Siguenza (“Larry Crowne,” “Ben 10: Alien Swarm”) lends his voice to both Tío Oscar and Tío Felipe, Miguel’s late identical twin uncles, and Gabriel Iglesias (“Planes,” “The Nut Job,” “The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature”) lends his voice to the Clerk. Natalia Cordova-Buckley (“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D”) provides the voice of legendary artist Frida Kahlo, Selene Luna (“My Bloody Valentine,” “Celebrity Wife Swap”) voices Miguel’s aunt Tía Rosita, and Edward James Olmos (“Blade Runner,” “Stand and Deliver”) lends his voice to Chicharrón. 

 What my family thought of Coco:

To say that Coco is an amazing movie is quite an understatement. Right from the beginning of the movie we were immediately drawn in. We were mesmerized by the brilliant colors, the beautiful animation, the incredible music, and the creativity that went into making the film. While we have Hispanic family connections ourselves, Coco gave us a better understanding of Hispanic heritage, allowing us to see it through another's eyes. Coco stayed true to the Hispanic traditions and culture, and did it in a classy and respectful way. The family dynamic that Miguel shares with his family is beautiful and touching, and shows us that the love of family is one of the most beautiful things one can experience. While I didn't have high expectations when I sat down to watch Coco, in the end I am glad we didn't miss it. We laughed, we shed a tear or two, and we fell in love with the movie. It will definitely pull at your heartstrings with its sweet message. I was wrong in assuming that Coco was just for the younger set, as I believe people of all ages will enjoy the film. I know my family did and we consider it the best film we have seen in a long time. It's definitely a must see, so be sure to get your copy on Blu-ray & DVD starting tomorrow, 2/27.

I made us some kid friendly sangrias to enjoy while watching Coco. Pour up a batch and host your own Coco viewing party tomorrow :)

Author: Theresa M

Kid Friendly Sangria

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 cups white grape juice
• 1 2 liter ginger ale
• 1 cup club soda
• strawberries and orange slices for garnish
• ice

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Pour all ingredients into a punch bowl. Stir. Serve immediately.

Is Coco on your must see movie list?

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