I think what I appreciated about Vivo, which made it stand out from other productions from Sony Pictures Animation and the director's previous works, is that it eschewed the tendency of so many non-Disney American animation toward the absurd, irreverent, and refusal to take itself seriously enough to build real gravitas and feeling behind their stories. It's usually all about being silly because, you know, it's animation so why would anyone take it seriously? Vivo on the other hand tells a very earnest story about legacy, outsiders, and all within the Cuban American context.
The film takes its inspiration nostalgically from the colours and beats of Havana. Bright and energetic, the film follows its adventure in a very alive manner. There is just a positive energy vibrating from the story. Much of this is the influence and inspiration of star and composer Lin Manuel-Miranda. From the opening song the music is quintessential Manuel-Miranda. Fans will recognize it right away, even more so than his work on Moana. His enduring optimism is present too and the film. If his schtick is up your alley then Vivo will be for you. For those who don't enjoy his work, Vivo likely won't change that.
The story may not be quite enough to carry the run time and there are segments in the middle which drag on for a while and do not necessarily benefit the story. But the film is still more engaging than many of its contemporaries. Animation still has a long way to go towards making animated films that rival their competitors but Vivo is a step in the right direction.
Vivo
Starring: Lin Manuel-Miranda, Ynairaly Simo, Zoe Saldana, Juan de Marcos Gonzalez, Michael Rooker, Brian Tyree Henry, Nicole Byer, Gloria Estefan
Director: Kirk DeMicco
Writers: Quiara Alegria Hudes, Kirk DeMicco
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