I had serious reservations about seeing Disney’s latest movie: Coco. It is about my least favorite subject – death. Why would I want to go see a movie about someone’s dead relatives? Plus it has skeletons. This is creepy! Although the movie looked colorful, it still deals with a topic that I would rather not watch.
MOVIE SYNOPSIS: DISNEY/PIXAR COCO
The movie centers around a 12 year old boy named Miguel who just wants to be a musician like the famous Ernesto de la Cruz, but his family makes shoes and have banned all music because his great-great-grandfather left the family to pursue a musical career. The family is getting ready to celebrate Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead). In Mexico, the holiday is celebrated to pray and remember their ancestors. Altars are built that include photos, favorite foods, marigolds, and special trinkets and more.
Miguel is prepared to do whatever it takes to play a guitar in the festival, and then he accidentally breaks his great-great-grandmothers photo and realizes that his great-great-grandfather is a famous musician. As he prepares to steal a guitar from a mausoleum, he enters the land of the dead. After meeting his relatives who have crossed before him, Miguel undertakes an adventure that teaches him what is really important in life.
AS A SIDE NOTE: I did have several moments throughout the film where I thought, “Really, Pixar, you need to stop with the stupid animals.” The dog in the film (stupid chicken in Moana, and stupid seal and bird in Finding Dory, and Dug in Up) is portrayed as odd. Enough with the stupid sidekicks. Bring the viewers some loveable sidekicks already!
My Recommendations for viewing: Ages 8 and up. This movie is colorful and should keep a child’s attention, but some children might be afraid of the skeletons. There are several instances where skulls come off of skeletons, an eyeball comes out, skeletons come apart, etc. These may be hard concepts for a young child to understand. Also Miguel is disrespectful to his parents and grandparents and runs away.
If you have objections to a portrayal of a faith system other than your own, you will object to this movie. As a Christian, I do not believe that we should invite the dead or talk to dead spirits. The movie’s concept of spirits in the next life ceasing to exist if no one in this life remembers them is also outside of what I accept. Also the afterlife depicted in the movie is much different than my beliefs. But learning about other cultures and their religious culture is of interest to me.
I am certain that remembering our ancestors carries great meaning throughout life. I believe that is is important to pass the stories down of those that have gone before us. I have old photos hanging of parents and grandparents, and I hope my children talk fondly of their grandparents and great-grandparents.
One critical lesson in this movie is that holding onto anger and bitterness for generations is harmful to the entire family. Stories passed down about your ancestors may not be correct. Letting go of the negativity of the past is paramount to those living in the present. One character in the movie says she will not forgive, but by the end of the movie she has a change of heart.
SHOULD CHRISTIANS VIEW THIS MOVIE?:
This movie had me crying and laughing. The music is great, and the ending is so incredibly touching. But as a Christian, how should we respond to movies like Coco? The views in the movie about the afterlife are very different from what Christianity teaches. This movie is excellent for teaching about other cultures, their traditions and views. But there are messages in this movie that need to be addressed with your children. Do not wait to talk about what you believe. After viewing the movie with your children talk about what the Bible teaches about what happens after you die. How does one get into heaven? What does the Bible say about talking to the dead? And talk to your children about how Jesus would show love to others who are different than you. After pointing out the differences in your beliefs, point out how you are similar – love for family, importance in celebrations and traditions, and needing to forgive and receive forgiveness.
If you have no problem viewing a movie with a different viewpoint than your own, I recommend Coco. If you think that it may be a problem for your or your children, I recommend viewing it before you take your children. I found it charming and heartwarming. Furthermore, I think the messages of Coco are vital to teach our children. The main message of family being significant is one that needs to be taught to all cultures. Pursuing the world’s view of success (money, fame, fans), may bring temporary fame and fortune, but in the end leads to destruction. At the end of my life, if I am surrounded by family that loves me, I will deem that a success.
Reviewing movies for parents from a Christian perspective since 2005. Know Before You Go!
Christian Homeschooling mom – 30 years and counting
Autism Mom & Disney enthusiast
Your cautious and gentle warning for Christians is right on. Actually it could have been much stronger. You’re not exaggerating at all. The opposite is true; the demonic deception is so subtle often hidden in culture. Thessalonians 5:21 “Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. 22 Keep away from every kind of evil.”
Thank you for reading and commenting. I try to give parents the info they need to make informed decisions. While we are commanded to keep away from evil, we need to raise children that understand what the culture believes is harmless. Finding the balance isn’t easy for parents.
If you think this is about religion then you are misguided.
It’s about loss, when you lose a person you love and keep them in your heart.
I will try xx
Love to you all, be blessed and have a great life x
I disagree with what you said about the dog. I don’t remember much about the chicken in moana but as far as Dante goes, to me he was portrayed as just “goofy” not really stupid. He knew the whole time who Miguel’s great-great grandfather was. Miguel even stated that. I wonder if it was maybe the way the animators made his tongue that him appear “wild”
Tori:
Thanks for commenting. I appreciate knowing other people’s opinions on movies.
I do not understand how a movie like this can cause spiritual sickness. To me this movie explains a culture that many people misunderstood or know very little about. Its better to learn about different viewpoints and culture than not learning at all. Learning different viewpoints allows for understanding and acceptance. Even though day of the death may contradict christian belief to me the culture signifies celebrating your ancestors and your heritage and continue with your family’s legacy through stories. Everyone has its own how to celebrate and cherish the deceased.
You are being over exaggerative
Kidding
You are being over exaggerative
I dont agree i think your being over exaggerative
I am kidding i thought that was beautiful what u said
I’m a Christian, I live in a Christian family and we had no problem of seeing Coco. Coco made me cry, and I’m not afraid of no skeletons, how is it creepy? My little niece and nephew wasn’t even scared of them, they enjoyed that movie. It made all of all cry at the end. Y’all are just super religious that’s all I have to say about y’all. It’s just another religion, what’s so bad about that? You don’t have to believe but enjoy and be interested in it at least. You literally don’t have to believe in it, y’all are just getting to worked up for nothing.
Did you even read my review or are you just a troll looking to bother people?
My last paragraph states the following: “If you have no problem viewing a movie with a different viewpoint than your own, I recommend Coco. If you think that it may be a problem for your or your children, I recommend viewing it before you take your children. I found it charming and heartwarming. Furthermore, I think the messages of Coco are vital to teach our children. The main message of family being significant is one that needs to be taught to all cultures. Pursuing the world’s view of success (money, fame, fans), may bring temporary fame and fortune, but in the end leads to destruction. At the end of my life, if I am surrounded by family that loves me, I will deem that a success.”
I clearly state that I found it charming!
Watch YouTube the Disney deception. Be prepared to become spirituality I’ll. Cultic and demonic references of Walt himself. A perverse industry hidden in plain sight. Threw away all Disney paraphenllia. Disgusting underworld society IMO
I will take a look.
I usually have NO problems with other viewpoints. I teach Ethics and Worldview, have spent decades getting students to engage with people of other cultures and faiths, and I LOVE fantasy and Science Fiction.
However, COCO made me feel spiritually ill. I could complain about the usually subtle worldview indoctrination in Disney movies but that is to be expected ANY parent who takes a child to the theater today needs to be very savvy and wary. That is life.
But my own stomach was sick throughout this movie. My wife found it ‘creepy’ but enjoyable if she put aside all the ‘creepy bits’. My own sense of spiritual discernment had be to the point of revulsion at the cute way the biblically demonic was portrayed.
It is fascinating how people of good conscience and the desire to serve God can be affected so differently.
Thank you for your views. The next night I went to see The Star and absolutely loved it. It made me cry and told the story of the birth of Jesus in a fantastic way.
I will probably avoid getting Coco for viewing in my home because I agree with you.
You do realize the religion showcased in Coco is one that follows your god, right?
I do realize that both Catholics and Protestants believe in Jesus Christ. However there are many differences between Catholicism and Protestant Christianity. While many followers come together in unity, there are extremes on both sides that hold to beliefs that go against the teachings of Jesus Christ and what the Bible says.