REACTION PAPER ON “COCO”

Charisse Marianne C. DIAZ

Grade 9- OL of Perpetual Help

The movie “Coco” by Pixar Animations, was truly something else. For the
longest time that I’ve been watching countless animated movies, Coco became an
instant favourite the moment the lights lit back up at the cinema. It has such a well-
developed plot. With one of the most unexpected, insane and jaw-dropping plot
twists ever created in the history of animatic films. Coco is unique, out of the box, and
literally one of the movies you have to see in your lifetime. It is absolutely outstanding
how they created the movie all in all. From the producers, the script, the storyboard,
and how all those people teamed up, and put everything in place so perfectly!

It truly is amazing how high imaginations can soar, how just little ideas can
become the next big thing, how a little tickle in imagination can create something that
touches millions! I can say that I haven’t felt so shocked in just a mere plot twist in a
long, long time. My eyes were bulging out from its sockets, and my mouth was open
during the whole part when Miguel realized that Hector was his real great-great-
grandfather, and not Ernesto.

It really caught me off guard. I usually try to think of what might happen in a
certain story or film, or think about what might be the plot twists, but no, I did not
expect that one bit. Even my mom, who is a very intellectual person, and literally
almost guesses all the secrets and twists in movies, didn’t also expect it as well. She
was super shocked as well and we had a fun time talking about it afterwards.

As a person who is very interested in animation and film making in general,

COCO is one of those movies that inspires me in some way. It makes me want to
hurry up and write a story, or draw a storyboard or make some kind of motion
animation for fun. Other animated movies that really got to me before was “Frozen”, it
is an all time favourite and I admit to still love it, and “Big Hero 6” in which I cannot
explain how much I enjoyed it and how I immediately looked up in the internet “How
to become an animator in Disney Pictures.”
 For the past years that I’ve been having late night weekend movies with
family, sometimes I just get this “yeah” or “meh” feelings on the films that I’ve been
watching, animated or not. I can’t say I’m that good of a critique, but I know the
movies I really enjoy from the bottom of my heart. And it is unlikely that when I watch
something I’d enjoy it. It’s like the plot is too forced and the coincidences are just to
“fill up blanks” and for their main plot to work out.

However, in COCO, I really meant it when I said it was something else. I also
bet that it will win the best animated film title in the 2018 Oscars. Of all the animated
movies I’ve watch, COCO is the one I’d like to write about. There are so many things
someone can say about the film. It has such a strong message as well. The lessons
are also something that stays with you until you continue to grow up.

One thing I learned from COCO is how to never to give up your dream. The
passion within you isn’t just there for no nothing. There is a reason, and you know
deep within yourself that it is something that you were born to fulfil. No matter how
hard things get, no matter what messed up situation you’re in, or no matter how
impossible it seems, never stop doing the things that you love. The things that make
us, the dreams we aspire to attain one day, to let go of that is a mistake that neither
of us should commit.

Just like Miguel, even if your whole family doesn’t accept the dream that you
passionately have with your whole heart, that shouldn’t stop you from pursuing it.
Most of the time it the common quote “Follow your heart” is absolutely correct. In
most cases, at least. I mean you can be in love with a good looking and cool person
who is obviously not fit for you, like a gangster, an addict or a dropout, and you
definitely shouldn’t “follow your stupid little heart” and run away with him or her and
live a miserable life. The point is it’s ok to pursue the things you love, but it’s always
important to never forget to use your head.

Miguel is one of those movie heroines that inspire us to never give up. Having
a heart that continues to bleed, but still having the strength and determination to
march towards the dream you desperately and passionately believe in. So many
people in this world can relate to Miguel and his situation. It’s something that is
current and happening. To have a dreams you love so desperately, but are thrown
away and given up in order to fulfil expectations and responsibilities.
 But nothing is worth giving up what you love doing. If you love art, then go
ahead and pursue it. Never stop drawing, never stop doing the only thing that eases
your heart, mind and soul. If you love music, and your mom and dad tells you to
become a doctor and you are like forbidden to touch an instrument- then you have
the right to express how you feel and how much you want to continue it. That is why
we have a mouth and a tongue in the first place, we’re all human, and each one is
unique and beautiful in their own way. No one can be an exact copy of the other. No
son can be exactly like his father.

These differences are what make the world an interesting and a painfully
beautiful place to live in, and this is exactly why being different and having insane
and weird ideas is never a bad thing. Instead, it is something you should embrace
and nurture. Get out of our shell, and show the world what we are capable of doing.
Commit mistakes, and be totally fine with it, because the more mistakes you have,
the wiser you become.

I once heard of a story of a man who was in an interview for a new job. He
was asked “Have you ever committed a mistake before?” and he replied with
“Never.” Eventually the man never got the job. And the reason? Because the
company knows that a person who has never committed a mistake is someone who
has never even tried to succeed. Because true success is attained only after
countless failures.

In COCO, Miguel goes to the Land of the Dead, which is, of course, a fictional
place. He discovers secrets about his family and there he learns the truth. When we
look at it, neither of us can just go to heaven and ask our ancestors about the truth
and go back to earth and have heavenly knowledge from above. Nope that is not
happening. That is why, I think it is still very important that while our loved ones are
still alive and breathing we shouldn’t just judge and imply things about them even
though we have no proof.

Like if something like the disappearance of a family member happens then we

can’t just say that they abandoned us and left. Some things are worth justice.
Because, what if they never really stopped caring in the first place?

What touched me the most in the film is Hector’s love for Coco. How much he
wants to see his daughter one last time no matter what. It really proves the love of a
father towards his child. And how his song “Remember me” still was strongly placed
inside Coco’s heart as a remembrance of her long lost father that she loves ever so
dearly. I couldn’t stop a tear or two from falling when Miguel sang to Coco the song
“Remember me” and she immediately remembered her father, despite almost
forgetting him because of her memory loss.

A scene that undoubtedly touched millions of people around the world.

Because no matter how long they were apart, the love for family never dies. People,
in their hearts, never truly forget, and there is no explanation for how deep love runs
within us towards the people who are dear to us. A bottomless ocean that either
keeps us afloat or drowns us.

Hector’s love for Coco reached her through his song for her. Even if he wasn’t
physically present for her, she remembered who he was and how much he meant to
her. And in the end they were able to finally be together in the afterlife, which is the
best possible ending.

Another part of the movie that I loved was when Imelda was standing in the
middle of the stage and had to perform in order to escape and save Miguel and
Hector. It was there that it was revealed how good she was at singing and how much
she actually loved music. It was clear that Hector and Imelda’s love had blossomed
through music, and because he left and never returned, Imelda threw away her love
for music as well her love for Hector.

But there we realize that once we love something or someone, we never can
fully let them go. Because when we love, it becomes a part of our heart, and when
the love is taken away, we forcefully close it down. However, it is never lost and
forgotten, but continues to stay as a broken piece that is yet to be mended.

The reconciliation of Imelda and Hector was truly a wonderful thing. It would
be a great thing if lovers or married couples who have misunderstandings with their
beloved would be inspired to get up, walk up to their significant other and talk things
through properly.
 Just like us right now, we can’t be like the characters in COCO, and have
conversations with other souls after we have died. We only live once, and there is
always room for second chances and learnings, but there never will be another
chance to make things right after we’ve passed away.

So while we are alive, we should always strive to have the best loving and
caring relationships with our loved ones- our neighbours, our friends, especially our
families. It is never wrong to lay down our pride and honestly say “It’s my fault.” But
basically just that one simple thing can save a relationship. So many people give up
their love, just because they cannot admit that they are wrong. It is hard to say sorry,
especially if you’re going to be the first one to say it, but it is always worth it. Even if it
makes you look so low, actually, you are not weak as you might think, but it makes
you humble, which is the best state a person can be.

To be humble is admitting that you have done wrong. It is the secret the
ingredient to have a happy and fulfilling relationship. It can save even the most
broken hearts and heal it. To be humble is what the Lord greatly wants from us.
However, many cannot seem to be humble. And the reason? Pride. The deadliest sin
and main reason why so many couples act selfishly and break up just to prove to the
other that they are and always will be right.

Just like what Hector did, even though he was shunned and hated, he didn’t
return the favour and hate Imelda for loathing him. Instead he, told her what was truly
on his mind, what the truth was, and that he never truly stopped loving her. Imelda
couldn’t forgive him at that time, which is a common reality.

To forgive is another story. It is just as hard as asking for forgiveness. So

many people cannot forgive those who have hurt them because of the pain and
sorrow their misunderstandings and mistakes have caused them. To forgive takes
time, yes. But during those times when we’re thinking it through, we should think of
the best possible thing- reconciliation. Pride shouldn’t hinder our decision and
capability to forgive. So just like Imelda and Hector, we learn that no matter how
damaged the love was, it never is too late.

Another thing that surprised me big time was when it was revealed that
Ernesto de la Cruz murdered Hector. The expression Ernesto had in his face when
he realized that Miguel and Hector found out the truth, gave me literal goose bumps.
We never can tell who a person is just by what they portray to other people.

I seriously believed that he was Miguel’s nice and ever so amazing great-
great-grandfather. I thought he was a good guy! A great way plot twist indeed. The
writers of the story did a really great job. I was also inspired by how the story was
written. I was like “Someday I’m going to write a story that will make people go
“WHAT?”

The revelation scene really proves that you can’t judge a book by its cover.
Despite looking like a good person, Ernesto was actually rotten in the inside.
Corrupted by fame, power and money, and going as far as to kill the person who was
by his side for a long time just to attain the fame that he desires. Even after he has
died he still was the bad and psychotic person as when he lived.

In the end, the truth of Hector’s death was exposed. No secret can be hidden
forever. Ernesto was stripped of his fame and his reputation for what he did. Just like
in real life, what you do always come back to you no matter what. It is a common
truth. Maybe not immediately and you’d think that you could run away with it, but at
the right time.

Karma is what awaits those who do others wrong. You can never live a happy
and peaceful life if you purposely bring pain and chaos to those around you. Just like
what happened to Ernesto he eventually got to pay for the sins he had committed,
not to mention he actually died right after he killed Hector.

All in all I enjoyed COCO. It is a movie that I will never forget, and it is a movie
I’ll someday show to my future generations. And I’ll be the one to see their faces
when they realize the big reveal.

It is heart-warming, beautiful and satisfying. One of those movies that gets

stuck in your head for a few days. A movie I’ll never get bored of, and also a film that
inspires my artistic side. It proves how far crazy ideas and a well thought of plot can
go. In the end we all learn to just continue to believe in the dreams we follow and the
love in our hearts.