COCO

I just wish they offered the Spanish version as well.

This is a review for Coco (Plus Bonus Content) purchased and viewed through Amazon Video.

First, I love the movie, so if that's all you need to know, it's good and it's worth adding to your library. I'm an adult, and it's viewed in adult household, so if you're looking for a review about appropriateness for kids, this is not that. Coco is a beautiful story, beautifully told. There are a lot of other reviews and think pieces on this film available online and in the comments section here, and you should read them for something more in depth. For me, though, I loved it.

Second, the Spanish version is NOT included with this video, which is terrible and a pretty crazy oversight. For all of the energy Pixar put into being actively mindful of and including Mexicans, Mexican Americans, Chicanos, Latinx folks in the creation of this film, you'd think they would have included the highly praised Spanish dub of this movie. But, nope. So either capitalism won, and that version is forthcoming for additional $, or distribution didn't get the memo.

Third, as with other Amazon Videos, the extras are a giant pain, if you actually want to select one to watch. They stream automatically and continuously at the end of the film. Because it's a Pixar flick, there are a lot of extras and they're largely pretty great. I just wish you could actually choose from a menu--or at least get a list of what the extras are and the time at which they start so I could fast forward to one. If I can stream a movie, maybe it's also time to add chapter settings.

So that's it--really lovely, sweet, engaging movie without access to the Spanish version or easy, selective access to the Extras.

This is such and beautiful movie. I only wish there was an option to watch it in Spanish so my grandma can watch it too. It only has an option for English Audio. I really hope that this gets updated and I don't need to by the bonus content version.

It is a fantastic movie. Unfortunately, this digital version is not available in Spanish for those who also wanted the option.

Love this movie! Enjoy watching it every single time ! I notice that there is no Spanish language or subtitle option on Amazon for this movie, but this doesn't mean you have to buy it again in disc form or on iTunes in order to watch in Spanish ! If you want to watch it in spanish you can create a free account on Movies Anywhere at moviesanywhere.com (the newer version of Disney movies anywhere) and just sync your amazon account there (along with other accounts such as itunes, Google play, anything you have on their list) and then the movies you own should appear on the Movies Anywhere site allowing you to watch it in spanish as well, but you would have to watch it on their site or app. Hope this helps!!!!! :)

Disney has always been synonymous with great story telling, powerful artwork and animation, and having heart in most of their major films. Some of the great Disney movies have transcended time and are loved by different generations for that very reason. But then in 2013, Disney attempted to trademark "Dia de los Muertos", or Day of the Dead for one of it's upcoming movies, a move met with much deserved resentment and criticism from Hispanic writers, critics, and the public. To say that the Day of the Dead is the Mexican version of Halloween is incorrect. It isn't a holiday as much as a tradition which is embedded into the heart of many Mexican families to honor loved ones who have passed away. Disney's trademark attempt was an insult to not only the day itself but to millions of people who honor that tradition. That being said, Disney dropped the trademark, and did everything right since then to fix their mistake. Many of the people hired to work on Coco were Hispanic, and after their blunder they also hired Lalo Alcaraz, a political cartoonist and Disney critic, along with Octavio Solis and Marcela Aviles as cultural consultants on the movie. They went from possibly being boycotted to having great international and domestic success, turning many into believers including myself. The end result being a culturally rich and emotional movie that left tears in everyone's eyes.

Unlike past Disney/Pixar movies I've seen, there are three layers of meaning integrated into this movie. The first layer is what every Disney story requires which are the characters, plot, visuals, settings etc. The second layer are the morals that Coco teaches, which any person watching the movie can learn from. These two alone are enough to call Coco a great Pixar movie in my opinion. However the third layer, which involves the integration of hispanic traditions and culture, is what makes this movie standout as special, memorable, and unique. As a Mexican-American, this movie holds a special place in my heart because so much of this movie feels real and familiar. From the family dynamic that Miguel shares with the family, to the chancla (sandal) smacking grandma, and especially because of the music, this movie feels saturated with Hispanic customs and way of life. It is obvious from the first scene to the last that Disney listened very well to their cultural advisors for this movie.

Being a Mexican-American, I've learned that various aspects of Life, Death, and Family are handled and understood differently between all ethnicities, backgrounds, and cultures. Coco involves several scenes in a graveyard, shows relatives returning from the afterlife as skeletal versions of who they once were, and has Miguel racing against the clock to return to his family before dying. These are cinematic occurences which some may not want to watch or explain to their children. My suggestion for anyone who hasn't watched this movie and is not of a Central/South American background is to be prepared and be open minded. ​Though some parts of the movie could seem farfetched, myself along with all the Hispanic adults and children watching the movie in theatres were mesmerized to watch something you can identify with as a person and as a community. For many, this movie is all about seeing the world through another's eyes, and that's wonderful in itself.

Ultimately, Coco is a fantastic movie worthy of the Pixar/Disney brand which every family should enjoy. Prior to release, my two concerns with the movie was that it would be a heartless Pixar version of the Book of Life, and that Disney would take advantage and exploit the Hispanic culture in a distasteful way. I'm glad to say that besides focusing on music and honoring the Day of the Dead , similarities ended between the two movies. I enjoyed The Book of Life, and had low expectations for Coco in comparison. The truth is (no disrespect to the movie or the people who made it) The Book of Life is enjoyable and relatable, not a cultural staple. Although both movies treated one of the most important Mexican traditions with dignity and respect, Coco's heartwarming interpretation will become an unforgettable treasure in the Hispanic community for generations to come.