The story is based entirely around the Dia De Los Muertos festival – the day when Mexican families display their ancestors’ photographs with food offerings on an altar.
The pioneering hero is Miguel Riviera (Anthony Gonzalez) a 12-year-old Mexican boy with musical ambitions.
Sadly, music is forbidden in Casa Riviera.
Since Miguel’s great-great-grandmother was abandoned by her musician husband, the family has diverted its energy into their shoe-making business.
It’s cobblers, obviously, so when Miguel’s granny smashes his guitar the defiant youngster heads to the Land Of The Dead to have it out with his ancestors.
This sounds like a grim proposition for a children’s film but even the most sensitive of little souls should be delighted by this brightly-lit underworld.
It’s populated by skeletons but they are far from scary.
Their bones swing around comically while neon spirit animals and cute side characters keep the tone bright and breezy.
There are songs too (one of them is very catchy), some well-staged action scenes and a big emotional finale.
The twist may be easy to guess but it doesn’t stop it packing a punch.
Coco is not quite Pixar at its best but the ending cut me to the bone.
Coco – (PG, 105 mins) Directors: Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina; Stars: Anthony Gonzalez (voice), Gael García Bernal (voice), Benjamin Bratt (voice)
