A Golden Globe Winner is Ready to Perform on Bluray with COCO

Jeri Jacquin

Coming next week (and perfect for a rainy day) on Bluray/DVD and Digital from Disney, Pixar and directors Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina is the animated hit COCO.

Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) is a young man who is loved by his extended family. As everyone works together in life there seems to be only one thing not accepted – music! That is difficult for Miguel since he absolutely loves music and has to secretly find a way to have it in his life.

His favorite musician is Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt) who Miguel sees as his musical hero. Keeping him away from music is Mama (Sofia Espinosa), Mama Imelda (Alanna Ubach), and Abuelita (Renee Victor) but Mama Coco (Ana Ofelia Murguia) tries to tell Miguel a family secret.

After a confrontation with family, Miguel says the one thing that sends him to the realm of his ancestors. There he finds Hector (Gael Garcia Bernal) who says he knows Ernesto and will take Miguel to see him. The problem with the realm of his ancestors is that they aren’t to happy when a living person roams in their land!

On the run with Hector, Miguel finally gets to Ernesto and has the chance to ask the questions his family won’t answer. He also discovers that family secrets can change how a little boy sees his world.

When the story of Hector and Ernesto comes out, Miguel does what he must to help those in his family not be forgotten and bring music back to someone very special!

Gonzalez as the voice of Miguel brings such lovely inflections when he talks. His character is a young man who just doesn’t understand the musical feelings of his family yet has a yearning in his bones. Yet the character of Miguel finds amazing strength in the truth.

Bernal as Hector wants nothing more than to not be forgotten – but there is also truths that he wants told. Befriending Miguel is the only way he can make that happen. Bernal brings humor to a character that just needs to be remembered.

Bratt as Cruz is definitely full of himself with no remorse over causing his family to turn their backs on music. Miguel learns that family secrets might start out to protect one another but the truth always comes out in the end.

I love the cast of Mama’s with their protective natures and ease of using a shoe to smack off anyone who would hurt Miguel. It’s nice to know that happens in so many cultures as my Grandmother had a thing for shoe-whacking too! The Papa’s have worked hard and embraced their families with a fierce protection and while the Mama’s are whacking with shoes, the Papa’s are making shoes.

Two more characters that stand out are Natalia Cordova-Buckley as Frida Kahlo and Edward James Olmos as Chicharron. This is truly a big voice cast but each character brings something endearing to the story.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

There is over two hours of Bonus Features including a Commentary, Deleted Scenes, Paths to Pixar: COCO, The Music of Coco and so much more! You can also instantly stream or download on Digital on iTunes.

Disney Pixar’s COCO is stunning eye candy for everyone who loves animation with an emotional family storyline. That is what Pixar does with ease with its use of such color and vibrancy to enhance everything about a story. The music absolutely stands out and adds even more depth to the film.

The story of Miguel learning the stories of his family is one everyone can relate to no matter what culture you are from. We all want to know where our traditions and yearnings come from and COCO gives us a look at one such story giving us all hope and remembering to embrace our families now and forever.

Gather the family together to sing, dance and embrace everything that is love, loyalty, family and traditions. Next Tuesday is the release of Disney Pixar’s fabulous tale that includes it all with COCO.

In the end – it’s a celebration of a lifetime!