If you want me to be completely honest, this is the best Pixar movie to date. Here are my thoughts on Coco:
That first sentence was not an exaggeration on my part. It is by and far the most emotionally charged and incredibly beautiful movie Pixar has done. The thing is, Pixar is so good at toying with emotions (I mean, they made a whole movie about feelings with feelings), but this one continuously tugs at the heartstrings and doesn't stop. The visuals are stunning (even more so than usual) and illuminates the wonderful Mexican culture and all of its traditions. There's nothing in this movie that feels cheap or like a cop out. Everything is laid out in a well-structured and well-paced story that contains some of the best writing that Pixar has done. The theme of family, a concept that is always present in every Pixar movie, is executed beautifully, so much so that I did shed a few tears by the end of the film. The theme of death is also prominent in the film, something that Pixar hasn't explored in depth in their past films. However, it's engineered beautifully and handled in a way that is accessible to kids and adults alike. It could've been heavy-handed or melodramatic, but it never comes across that way. But what sets this apart from all of the other Pixar movies is the MUSIC and the role that it plays. Music can mean so much for one person. I am a musically-driven person and a musician. Like me, music plays a huge part in Miguel's life, something that his family wants to rip away from him because of their family history. But in the end, music is what saves the day and I absolutely love that aspect of the movie. The songs are gorgeous and wonderfully written, especially "Remember Me", probably one of the best songs I've heard in any Disney related movie. One of the best things that the movie executes well is the transformation of "Remember Me", starting as a lavish theatrical production and changing into a heartfelt ballad. It's funny what emotions can be conveyed through the meaning of a one song, whether it's changing tempo, instrumentation, and the overall context, and this movie is able to encompass an array of emotions using those tools for the journey of the song. As I said earlier, this is Pixar's best movie to date and it's going to be very hard to top this at the moment. I've never fallen in love with a Pixar movie so quickly nor have I been as emotionally invested in a Pixar movie before. Just a perfect movie that all ages should be able to connect with. Rating: 10/10 Top 50: #22
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Before I start, I should note a good point that my friend Liz made: the first Incredibles came out 14 years ago, when I was 14 years old. My viewpoint on movies and how I judged them was significantly different from how I judge movies today. 14 year old me is not 28 year old me. With that being said, I think it's only fair that 28 year old me be as objective as possible in analyzing this movie. So here are my thoughts on Incredibles 2.
First of all, let me just get this out of the way-it is not the first movie. It is not as good as the first movie. However, I expected this and went in with the appropriate expectations. I can safely say that this is a solid and sufficient sequel. Definitely better than some of the other Pixar sequels and certainly better than your average sequel. What I liked: First thing that sticks out is the incredible action sequences. Probably some of the action sequences I've ever seen in an animated movie, especially the Jack-Jack/raccoon scene and the Elastigirl/train chase scene. Pixar have really upped the ante on those action sequences because they were phenomenal. The animation was top-notch as usual, but that's the norm for a Pixar movie. Michael Giacchino's score sets the perfect mood for the movie, but considering he did the iconic score in the last movie, that's also nothing new. I like that the focus of the movie was on Elastigirl being the big hero and Mr. Incredible being the family man. I liked how they expanded on Jack-Jack's powers, which proves to be one of the focal points of the movie, especially when it comes to adjusting the family dynamics once Elastigirl leaves to be the central hero. I did have a couple of issues, the biggest one being that the villain turned out to be super predictable and ended up being nowhere near as charismatic or frankly as memorable as Syndrome. In the first movie, Syndrome was relatable and almost likable, but the new villain wasn't likable at all. The pace did seem to slow down at certain parts of the movie (especially when it came to Violet and her boy problems), which made it lull for a bit. And overall, I just wasn't as WOWED as I was with the first movie, but again, I was expecting that. But like I said at the beginning, I'm not 14 years old anymore. My vision of what WOWS me is simply not the same as it was 14 years ago. My experiences are not going to be viewed the same now as it did then. However, with all that being said, it was a solid movie and an excellent sequel to one of the greatest animated movies of all time. It's pretty much the summer Pixar movie that everyone wanted and needed. Side note: the preceding Pixar short was sweet but also jarring in its execution. However, it was nonetheless another success in the Pixar short department. Rating: 9/10 |
AuthorBuster Bigelow: 30 year old lover of movies, cinema, and music. Whether you agree or disagree with my reviews, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments! Archives
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