Vivo is a fun film when it finds its rhythm. Coming from Sony Pictures Animation, I was hoping for something more like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse or SPA’s pairing with Netflix for The Mitchell vs the Machines. Unfortunately, it misses the beat in-between the catchy music from master maestro Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Lin has a way of using the beats to tell the story in a fun and unique way. While not to the level of In the Heights or Hamilton, the music is a blast whereas the rest of the movie is a bit flat. The story is perhaps too simple. Albeit, there are a few great moments in the film.
Miranda not only wrote 11 original songs, but also voices the kinkajou Vivo. His patented rap and Latinx flare come through the speakers and make you want to dance. Especially ‘Dance To The Beat Of My Own Drum’ performed brilliantly by new comer Ynairaly Simo who voices Gabi.
The movie starts out strong where we learn how Vivo and Andres (Juan de Marcos González) become musical partners. The film stumbled a little as Vivo set off to deliver a song to Marta (Gloria Estafan). I found myself drifting off at one point, but a catchy tune brought me back, and that happens to be when things start to get good.
The relationship that Vivo develops on his adventure with Gabi becomes the centerpiece of the film, and once the two of them end up in the Everglades, the movie finds its rhythm and doesn’t lose the beat until the credits roll.
The animation feels older and not as polished as newer computer animated films, but does some awesome transitions between the 3D animation and a more classic 2D animation. The classic animation .
Well enjoyable Vivo is, unfortunately, a forgettable animated film.
