Woven by Words: Disney•Pixar’s “COCO”

I was so busy at the end of last year, I wasn't able to see Coco while it was in theaters. I kept hearing about how great it was and couldn't wait for it to come out on DVD. When I had the opportunity to review it for my blog, I jumped at the chance. I actually got to watch it on my own the first time because I brought it with me to Minnesota at the beginning of the month.

This was such an incredibly cute movie! I mean, I'm pretty sure Disney•Pixar has cornered the market on the cutest animated movies! I was surprised (but really shouldn't have been) at how touching the movie was.

If you're one of the few people who have yet to see it, check it out.

Miguel's family has banned all music. He loves music. More specifically, he plays the guitar, which is an absolutely no-no. His grandma catches Miguel with a guitar right before a competition and breaks it. Sadly, Miguel doesn't quite understand why everyone is against the music. After he finds a guitar that's "special" he ends up in the Land of the Dead along with his crazy dog, Dante.

They set off on an adventure to find singer & guitar player Ernesto de la Cruz, and end up partnering with Hector who is in a race of his own to be remembered by his family so he doesn't disappear from that world altogether.

I think director, Lee Unkrich has cornered the market on putting sentimental pieces into his movies (remember sobbing during Toy Story 3?)! When Miguel spends time with his great-great-grandma Mamá Imelda I couldn't help but welling up with tears. Sakes alive he knows how to pull on the heartstrings. Maybe it's because of everything going on with my family that it made such a deep impact on my heart. Our ancestors are so important to our family history. Altogether I think this was a fun family movie, good for the littles and the bigs!

2018 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS ® WINNER FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

BONUS FEATURES*

Blu-ray & Digital:

Deleted Scenes with Introductions - Director Lee Unkrich and co-director Adrian Molina talk about the deleted scenes and the part they played in the development of “Coco.”
- Día de los Muertos - In this musical extravaganza, the colors and excitement of Día de los Muertos come to life as we meet superstar Ernesto de la Cruz.
- The Way of the Riveras - A musical number in which Abuelita and Miguel prepare their Día de los Muertos celebration while she teaches him Rivera family history and traditions.
- Celebrity Tour - Héctor, a Land of the Dead tour bus guide, agrees to help Miguel, revealed to be a living boy, on his quest to find de la Cruz.
- The Bus Escape - The Rivera family catches up to Miguel and Héctor and attempts to halt their mission to find de la Cruz.
- Alebrije Attack - Miguel and Héctor are interrupted on their journey to find de la Cruz by a fierce alebrije.
- The Family Fix - After de la Cruz reveals his true colors, the Rivera family puts their dismay aside and comes together to repair the smashed guitar needed to send Miguel home.
- To the Bridge - As the Land of the Dead counts down to the end of Día de los Muertos, Miguel and de la Cruz come head-to-head on the marigold bridge.
Filmmaker Commentary – Presented by Lee Unkrich (director), Adrian Molina (co-director) and Darla K. Anderson (producer).
The Music of “Coco” - Collaborating with musicians of Mexico and some unique instrumentation, this documentary explores the beautiful fusion of music essential to the story of “Coco.”
Paths to Pixar: “Coco” - Explore how the film crew’s personal stories resonate with the themes of the movie itself.
Welcome to the Fiesta - A musical exploration of the skeletons that make the Land of the Dead in “Coco” so wondrous and intriguing.
How to Draw a Skeleton - Pixar artist Daniel Arriaga gives a lesson on the quick and easy way to draw skeletons using simple shapes.
A Thousand Pictures a Day - Join the “Coco” crew on an immersive travelogue through Mexico, visiting families, artisans, cemeteries, and small villages during the Día de los Muertos holiday.
Mi Familia - Developing the Riveras was a labor of love that took the cast and crew on a deep dive into the meaning of family.
Land of Our Ancestors – Watch Pixar artists lovingly construct layer upon layer of architecture from many eras of Mexican history, bringing the Land of the Dead to life.
Fashion Through the Ages – The cast of characters in “Coco” are from many different eras, making for some magnificent costuming opportunities.
The Real Guitar – The majestic guitar that spurs Miguel on his journey through the Land of the Dead is a unique creation. Watch as it is initially designed by a Pixar artist and ultimately realized as a real instrument by a master luthier in this poetic ode to craftsmanship.
Dante - How the crew fell in love with the uniquely Mexican breed of Xoloitzcuintli (or “Xolo”) dogs that inspired Dante.
How to Make Papel Picado - Join Pixar artist Ana Ramírez González as we learn how papel picado is made traditionally, and then try your own approach to this beautiful art form.
Un Poco “Coco” - A montage of original animated pieces used to promote “Coco.”
“Coco Trailers” - Trailers include “Feeling,” “Dante’s Lunch,” “Destiny,” “Journey” and “Belong.”