Review: Vivo

Source: Vivo (2021) (imdb.com)

After a couple of live shows, we go back to the screen for one of my other big loves: animation. And in this case, animated musicals. Especially if it is a Lin Manuel-Miranda project... Who will say no to that? 

Vivo is a project Miranda has been working on for a looong time after going through a bit of development hell, was picked up by Sony Pictures Animation, who have recently released the film through Netflix. 

Now if you're unfamiliar with the animation industry, Sony Pictures Amination can be a bit of mixed bag. 

On one hand, they created one of the most original animated films of late, Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse, which even won the Best Animated Feature Oscar for the company in 2018, the first non-Disney or Pixar film to win since Rango in 2011! 

Buuut.... They are also responsible for some of animation's recent cheap-bad kids flicks, including the Hotel Transylvania films, and The Emoji Movie... *shudder* 

So yeah, there is a chance this could have gone either way. 

Thankfully, Vivo seems to be in the better realm of Sony's catalogue along with Spiderverse and Arthur Christmas - so relax. 

Vivo is a kinkajou living in Havana, Cuba with his friend Andres, a former musician. When Andres receives a letter from an old friend/crush, it is up to Vivo to head to Miami, Florida, and deliver a song Andres wrote especially for her - in which he finally admits his feelings to her. 

The story, rather like Sony I guess, is one of two halves. It starts of with a bang, a joyful and emotional one at that, and the heart of the relationships between Vivo and Andres, and Andres and Marta is definitely the better part. 

Sadly when Gabi enters the picture, it does go down a little downhill, partly due to Gabi being the weak link among the main characters, but also that it turns into a bit of the typical kids adventure flick. Thankfully though, there is enough of the heart to keep it going completely flat, at there is at least a reason for Gabi to be there, apart from some of the goofy side characters. It's one of those situations that less would have definitely been more to keep the heart of the film more the forefront. 

The good news is that I have the worst part out of the way. 

As well as the emotion and the heart, where Vivo really excels is in the animation, and the songs. 

Going on to the animation first, it is definitely some of the better material from Sony, while still keeping some of its cartoony style. The highlight of it though is definitely the chorography in the songs, and in its use of colour. Whether it be Havana or Miami, it pops off the screen - and even more so in the the "dream" sequences where it would flashback to Andres and Marta together. Here, it would go from 3D to 2D animation, in the style of the Cuban art of the 50s and 60s, with plenty of blues and twinkling. Those moments were absolutely beautiful. 

The songs, written of course by Miranda, while may not be the same hype as Hamilton, In The Heights or Moana, still have their own charm and are full of Latin flair and his own style. 

While some more lean into traditional Cuban beats (such as Mambo Cabana and Inside Your Heart), others feature his signature blend including rap and some modern dance (including Gabi's big number My Own Drum) - and others mix them all together, a good example of One Of A Kind.  And of course they are toe-tapping worth, as is Alex Lacamoire's score. 

If you are a fan of Miranda's or are into animation, I would give Vivo a chance. The story may not be the best, but with colourful animation and a fun soundtrack, plus with plenty of heart from (most of) the main characters, it is a very enjoyable watch. And makes me very excited for Encanto later this year!