Film Reviews by SS

This film is superb. Five Stars, though I would give Coco six stars if I could!

Every aspect of the production is brilliantly done and, this confirms how Pixar has created a new, golden age of animation in cahoots with Disney.

First and foremost, Coco has a great, dynamic story, with a fine dramatic turn of events. Equally, the characters are wonderfully realised , the animators acting their parts to their digital finest. Every nuance and expression is meaningful and this demonstrates a masterclass in contemporary character animation.

The film has a tangible emotional pull as well as the entertaining and humourous. In many respects this is not simply a kids film. It is a film with universal appeal, which patronises no-one in any age group.

It is a Pixar film, like their productions generally, which is intelligent, imaginative, poignant and boldly assured. I loved it. If Uncle Walt was to look down from the afterlife, he'd love it too. It captures the spirit and essence of Walt Disney at his peak.

I did not find this film to be superficial as the other reviewer states. It certainly was not a profound excoriation of the subject; birth defects and facial disfigurement, though it delivered more than most emotionally loaded, American, tear-jerkers. The lead actor was absolutely outstanding and hugely impressive as the afflicted young boy. The narrative is told, with emphasis upon the differing points of view, within the family and this is an effective device, evoking our sympathies and understanding, moving away from the black and white linearity of other such movies. All of the cast are very good indeed, which includes Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson. It is a heartwarming, memorable film. Well worth the viewing.

I wanted to like this film. It had come recommended by a friend who is a thoughtful person who usually knows a turkey when he sees one. My partner also had high-ish expectations of this. When James Ivory's moniker appeared on the opening titles and credits, it seemed like a done deal....let's settle down and enjoy an interesting, incisive drama. So we did sit in anticipation....for 90 minutes, hoping that something other than tedious, cliched meanderings would emerge from the script. We waited some more, in the hope that we might begin to care about the characters. The film was enjoyable to look at, but after 2 hours it was irredeemably boring. I still want to like it, but actually, I am just left wanting. I agree with many of the above comments. LIfe is too short for this.

This surpassed any expectations which I, and my family had. Funny, poignant and visually sumptuous this is escapist entertainment, but with an edge. Without delving into any psychological or socio-political reading of the film, it is well-worth watching, not least of which for the stellar cast, the art direction, the set and costume design and, of course, the crisp direction of the story. It looks appealing in the dark aesthetic Burton has established as his own particular USP. With elements of romance and suspense, this adventure is a cinematic journey I can wholly recommend. With Eva Green, Judi Dench and Samuel L.Jackson on screen, this film has its magic in spades.