Home | Message in the Movies

MESSAGE IN THE MOVIES

One of the joys of having a 5-year-old grandson is that I have a legitimate excuse to watch animated movies. (Not that I needed one; my wife and I have never stopped watching them.) But with a grandson, I have a kid-sized barometer to either confirm or deny my hunch about certain movies. After watching and enjoying Vivo, I wanted to share this with him but also include disclaimers that would help him with a couple of potentially rough spots. This Message in the Movies will conclude with my recommendation; but first, the review:

The new Netflix film Vivo is an original musical written by and starring Lin-Manuel Miranda as Vivo, a musically talented kinkajou who wears a little hat and performs street music with his musician friend, Andres (voiced by Juan deMarcos Gonzales). A kinkajou is a cute little animal (also known as a “honey bear”) that looks something like a lemur, but also plays great percussion. The pair are mutual friends and enjoy the good life in Havana, Cuba. One day Andres receives a letter from Marta Sandoval (Gloria Estefan), the former love of his life who left Cuba years ago to become a famous singing star in the States. She invites him to come to Miami to join her for her farewell concert. Vivo is first reluctant to see his friend leave and go away, but eventually realizes how much it will mean to him to see Marta and share the last song that he ever wrote and dedicated to her.

When Andres unexpectedly dies in his sleep, a group of friends and family come to Cuba to pay respect to the ways in which Andres has touched their lives. Andres’ niece Rosa (Zoe Saldana) is there, along with her daughter Gabi (Ynairly Simo), a tween with  a’tude and purple hair. Vivo strikes a rapport with the girl and stowaways on their flight back to Key West, conspiring with the girl to find a way to make it to Miami and deliver the song of love to Marta before she goes on stage.

Vivo and Gabi will have to deal with a number of challenges, including a dog and a python (who are hungry for a little kinkajou) and Gabi’s Sand Dollar Scout friends who just want her to help them sell cookies. And – of course – they’ve got to find a way to get from Key West to Miami. In real life, this would be a challenge, but in a kid’s film, not so much. Along the way, Gabi and her friends will have to leave their parents behind as they join together to help Vivo (who we hear talking and singing, but whose voice is an amusing squeak to the humans he encounters).

The far-fetched plot involves no real complications or problems, but since there is so much great music – 11 songs – and so much joy and fun onscreen, it’s really an upbeat and positive way to spend 90 minutes at home, with music that combines hip-hop with a mambo beat.

My grandson not only loved the movie, but was even emotionally hooked into its sweet ending. Before he watched the film, I shared with his parents and with him a couple of things. I first mentioned to him that one of the characters was going to die but that it would be all right. Fortunately, one of his favorite films is 2017’s Coco and that movie includes a positive view of eternal life and the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead. I also shared that there would be a couple of scenes with a scary dog and snake, but that they would just be for fun and no one would get hurt. I knew that he would like the music.

Yes, Vivo is extremely slight but nevertheless a visually stunning and happy creation. Lin-Manuel Miranda continues to bring joy to the world and if you are in need of shot of happiness alongside your Covid-19 vaccine, hook up your streaming device and follow this prescription.

Halo and Pitchfork Rating:

Three halos: A joyful celebration of music and friendship for all ages, told and sung as a children’s story.
Two pitchforks: Mild mean girl bullying; two scary episodes with a dog and a python; the sudden death of a friend; children doing risky things without adult supervision.

Comment:

Do you have comments about this movie or movie review? E-mail your comments. (Your name and UM affiliation must be supplied in order for your comments to be posted.)