Coco

Main Plot

"Coco" is an animated film that explores the traditions of the Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday. The story follows Miguel, a young boy who dreams of becoming an accomplished musician despite his family's baffling generations-old ban on music. Driven by a desperate desire to prove his talent and uncover his family’s history, Miguel finds himself magically transported to the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. In the Land of the Dead, Miguel encounters the souls of his own family lineage, along with a trickster named Hector who assists him in discovering the real story behind his family's past. As Miguel ventures through this vibrant world, he learns about the importance of family, memory, and the unbreakable bonds that define one's heritage. The film beautifully integrates music and cultural heritage, culminating in a heartfelt narrative that celebrates perseverance and family connections, encouraging audiences to cherish their loved ones and remember those who came before them.

Characters

• Anthony Gonzalez voices Miguel, a young boy who dreams of becoming an accomplished musician despite his family's baffling generations-old ban on music.
• Gael García Bernal voices Héctor, a charming trickster in the Land of the Dead who helps young Miguel uncover the truths behind his family's generations-old ban on music.
• Benjamin Bratt voices Ernesto de la Cruz, a famous musician who Miguel believes to be his great-great-grandfather and seeks out in the Land of the Dead.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of the animated film "Coco," directed by Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina, the young protagonist, Miguel, returns to the Land of the Living after his transformative journey in the Land of the Dead. Throughout the film, Miguel discovers that his great-great-grandfather is not the famed musician Ernesto de la Cruz, but rather Hector, who wrote many famous songs but whose legacy was stolen by de la Cruz. Miguel learns that Hector's true desire was to return home to his family, particularly to see his daughter Coco again. Back in the Land of the Living, Miguel rushes to his elderly great-grandmother Coco, who is the daughter of Hector and is losing her memory. In a desperate attempt to save Hector's fading memory (as the dead are forgotten when there are no living who remember them), Miguel plays "Remember Me," a song Hector wrote for Coco. The song reignites Coco's memories, and she recalls her father vividly. This act revitalizes Hector's presence in the Land of the Dead, securing his legacy and reconnecting the family with their true heritage. The film ends with the family celebrating the Day of the Dead the following year, having embraced their musical heritage and remembering their ancestors, thus ensuring that their memories and stories continue to live on.