Coco

COCO
2017 | Dir. Lee Unkrich | 109 Minutes

"Remember me, though I have to say goodbye. Remember me, don't let it make you cry. For even if I'm far away, I hold you in my heart. I sing a secret song to you each night we are apart."

A young boy named Miguel dreams of becoming a musician despite his family's strong objections. On Día de Muertos, Miguel finds himself in the Land of the Dead and one of his ancestors must give him their blessing before sunrise in order for Miguel to return home. However, his great-great-grandmother's long-standing detestation of music poses a significant obstacle for Miguel, unwilling to bless him unless he gives up his dream. On the run with the help of a desperate soul named Hector, Miguel races against time in search of his long lost great-great-grandfather who generations ago abandoned his family to be a famous musician.

Initially inspired by Día de Muertos folk art, director Lee Unkrich, assisted by a full team of cultural consultants, strived to authentically present Mexican traditions in Coco. The resulting film is brimming with excellent music, dazzling visuals, and concepts rooted in traditional Mexican beliefs presented in truly clever ways. Above all, a strong emotional through-line about the importance of family and remembrance runs through the picture.

Visually, Coco is simply mesmerizing, marking another high watermark in Pixar's extensive history of technical achievements. Stand-out set pieces include the bridge between worlds made of flower petals leading to the massive vibrant city of the Land of the Dead, the elaborate party atop Ernesto de la Cruz's tower, and the stadium concert setting for the film's finale. Absolutely every facet of the film is thoughtfully designed and well-rendered from the eye-catching neon alebrije spirit animals to subtle touches such as Miguel's increasingly translucent skin, marking the progression of his curse, slowly transforming him into a skeleton.

Young Anthony Gonzalez carries the emotional core of the film with humor and genuine energy, natural in his portrayal of the Miguel's headstrong and vulnerable qualities. With expert comedic timing, Gael García Bernal is loveable as the roguish Hector, sharing great chemistry with Anthony Gonzalez's Miguel. Playing Miguel's stubborn and strong-willed great-great-grandmother Mamá Imelda, Alanna Ubach delivers a spirited performance. As music legend Ernesto de la Cruz, Benjamin Bratt is a perfect fit, believably charismatic and charming, and smoothly taking a sinister turn into the film's final act. Natalia Cordova-Buckley is a hilarious scene-stealer, providing the voice for legendary Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, appearing briefly in the film as a vital supporting character.

Coco is a unique and uplifting experience. At its center, the picture examines the compromises a person may make to chase their dreams at the risk of forgetting the importance of family, a deep concept wrapped in an artful and authentic presentation of Mexican culture. Ultimately, Coco is among Pixar's greatest achievements, delivering what the groundbreaking animation studio does best: an emotionally moving cinematic experience with jaw-dropping visuals and plenty of heart.


JOHN RATZENBERGER AS...
- Juan Ortodoncia


A113
- Miguel and his ancestors visit a Bureau of Family Grievances Corrections Officer voiced by comedian Cheech Marin in office A113


PIXAR INTERCONNECTIVITY
- A Pizza Planet delivery truck drives by Miguel's window at the start of the film

- In the Santa Cecilia marketplace, Marlin, Dory, Nemo, and Destiny from Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, and Remy from Ratatouille appear as alebrije figurines, as well as stuffed dolls of Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story

- A figurine of Nemo from Finding Nemo sits on the ofrenda in Miguel's home

- A poster for The Incredibles (in skeletal form) appears in the Land of the Dead


FRAGMENTS
- Coco was released in Mexico on October 27, 2017 (nearly four full weeks before the film was released in North America), and became the highest-grossing movie in Mexican box office history

- Currently, select theaters in the US are screening the Spanish-language version of the picture


SUPPLEMENTAL STUFF
- Video: Dante's Lunch - A Short Tail


MCU CONNECTIONS
- Benjamin Bratt (Jonathan Pangborn in Doctor Strange)

Thor: Ragnarok

THOR: RAGNAROK
2017 | Dir. Taika Waititi | 130 Minutes

"I run towards my problems, not away from them, because that's what heroes do."

While fighting to prevent his prophetic visions of Asgard's destruction from coming to fruition, Thor is stranded on a hostile alien planet after a deadly encounter with Hela the unstoppable Goddess of Death. The displaced prince is unexpectedly forced to battle a "friend from work" for the entertainment of a madman. Meanwhile, Hela terrorizes the citizens of Asgard and sets her sights on conquering the cosmos. Thor quickly assembles an unlikely team consisting of allies new and old to return to Asgard, save his people, and defeat the evil goddess.

Influenced by the aesthetics of 70's and 80's sci-fi fantasy films, New Zealand comedy director Taika Waititi imbues the Thor's third cinematic solo adventure with colorful Jack Kirby-esque production design and a great abundance of comedy. Between its brilliantly choreographed kinetic action sequences is a non-stop barrage of clever visual gags and hilarious dialogue - eighty percent of which was allegedly ad-libbed. The feature's funniest jokes chiefly feature unexpected callbacks to The Avengers, Thor: The Dark World, and Avengers: Age of Ultron. Thor: Ragnarok even manages tells a more affecting emotional story than the second film of the series, showing how much Thor has grown in wisdom and selflessness as a hero and a ruler through his clever and valiant actions.

The picture showcases some of the best set pieces of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date, from the opening skirmish pitting Thor against the flaming demon Surtur and his minions - in which the virtual camera follows Mjolnir as it leaves Thor's hand smashing through enemies - to the lightning-charged climactic battle between the "Revengers" and Hela's undead legion (both sequences rousingly featuring Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song"). The gladiatorial match between Thor and the Hulk encapsulates the best qualities of Marvel Studios productions: inspired action, natural comedy and, above all, excellent character-driven storytelling made possible through years of commitment to continuity.

In his fifth appearance as the titular God of Thunder, Chris Hemsworth has never been funnier as Waititi's direction fully utilizes his impeccable comedic timing. As Thor's reluctant counterpart in this unconventional buddy comedy, Mark Ruffalo explores new facets of his recurring dual role playing the Hulk and Bruce Banner, alternating between the abrasively blunt green giant and the hapless scientist hilariously in-over-his-head.  Though Tom Hiddleston doesn't bring much new to table reprising the role of the trickster Loki. As always, Hiddleston's best scenes are shared with Hemsworth's Thor, their chemistry as potent as ever. Idris Elba returns as the all-seeing Heimdall once again, finally a featured player in several action sequences. Reprising the role of Odin, Anthony Hopkins' brief appearance is more subdued than somber, though he appears to be genuinely enjoying himself as the Loki-disguised Odin early in the narrative. The film also features brief appearances from Marvel Studios regulars Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano, and Benedict Cumberbatch reprising their respective roles as Volstagg, Fandral, Hogun, and Stephen Strange.

Taking complete ownership of the picture whenever she appears on screen, Cate Blanchett's delightfully sinister performance elevates Hela to the very top tier of Marvel Cinematic Universe villains. Tessa Thompson is believably fierce and fair as a drunken wayward Valkyrie. Jeff Goldblum is amusingly weird as the Grandmaster. The cast also features character actor Karl Urban as dimwitted the Asgardian Skurge with a serviceable character arc, frequent Waititi collaborator Rachel House as the Grandmaster's wary enforcer Topaz, Clancy Brown lends his voice to Surtur, and Waititi also offers his voice to the astoundingly soft-spoken stone gladiator Korg.

Packed with charm, humor, and spectacle, Thor: Ragnarok is undisputedly the best film of the Thor series. With radiant panache, the picture decisively sheds elements of the series that have become extraneous while paving the way towards an exciting new direction. Waititi's established comedic talent serves the production well, taking the cosmic and innately humorous qualities of the Marvel Studios' massive shared universe, and Thor's heroic journey, to new heights.


MID-CREDITS STINGER
Heading towards Earth on their spaceship, Thor reassures Loki that things will work out fine as they enter the shadow of a massive warship.


POST-CREDITS STINGER
On Sakaar, The Grandmaster stumbles off his craft and congratulates his former slaves for mounting a successful rebellion and ultimately declaring it a "tie."


STAN LEE CAMEO
Dir. James Gunn
Stan the Man appears as a barber who uses a frighteningly elaborate contraption to cut Thor's hair.


FRAGMENTS
- In Japan, the title for this film is Mighty Thor: Battle Royale

- Hela is based on the Norse goddess Hel, a daughter of Loki and queen of the realm also known as Hel

- Elements of the film's narrative are based on the Marvel Comics "Planet Hulk" storyline

- Musical cues from Patrick Doyle's score for Thor, Brian Tyler's scores for Thor: The Dark World and Avengers: Age of Ultron are featured in key emotional and comedic moments throughout the film

- Chris Hemsworth's brother Luke Hemsworth, Matt Damon, and Sam Neill play Asgardian actors respectively portraying Thor, Loki, and Odin dramatizing a key scene from Thor: The Dark World for great comedic effect

- Hilariously, Thor's psychedelic introduction to the Grandmaster visually and musically references Mel Stuart's family classic Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

- Hela reveals that the Infinity Gauntlet in Odin's weapons vault as seen in Thor is a fake

- This is the first Marvel Studios film in which Lou Ferrigno does not provide the voice for the Hulk as Mark Ruffalo performed the Hulk's dialogue, indicating that the Hulk's intelligence is increasing

- A subtle variation of The Lonely Man theme from the Incredible Hulk television series can be heard after Thor calls Hulk the "Stupid Avenger"