Disney Pixar’s Coco took audiences around the world on a spiritual journey that brought families closer together. Coco is more than just another great animated film, it is a return to form for Pixar in a world dominated by sequels. And now, this jewel of a film can be yours to cherish forever on Digital HD.

Miguel is the son of a long line of shoemakers, but his dream is to play music like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. His family, however, has banned music due to a family rift several generations ago. On the eve of Dia de los Muertos, Miguel steals a guitar from a mausoleum, unintentionally setting off a curse that traps him in the Land of the Dead that gives him until sunrise to get his ancestor’s blessing to return to our world without any stipulations against playing music for the rest of his life.

With an all Latino voice cast (and John Ratzenburger) and authentic representations of Mexican culture, audiences will feel like they’ve really taken a trip to Mexico during the two-hour runtime. The film becomes somewhat of a love letter to Mexico, which lends itself so beautifully to animation. The familial celebration of Dia de los Muertos comes alive on film like never before.

The music grabs you from the moment the film starts, with a mariachi version of the Disney studio intro, as well as the Oscar nominated song, “Remember Me.” Michael Giacchino’s memorable score perfectly plays against every story beat and emotion. Music is such a vital part of the film and it’s so perfectly executed, creating a beautifully harmonious piece.

With immaculate detail and hidden gems throughout the film, you and your family will want to share Coco together again and again. With over 2-hours of advertised bonus features, fans who want to step behind the scenes can learn everything there is to know about the behind the scenes process. And for those who just want the Coco experience, rest assured that Olaf is nowhere to be found in this release.

Bonus Features

Audio Commentary (1:45:02) – Director Lee Unkrich, Co-Director Adrian Molina, and Producer Darla K. Anderson lead this feature length commentary. It provides a great look at the production process, with lots of discussion about story changes and Easter eggs.
Welcome to the Fiesta (2:16) – A musical presentation reel that moves through the streets of the Land of the Dead that originally debuted at the D23 Expo in 2015.
“Remember Me” Music Video (2:51) – Miguel performed the Oscar nominated song along with Natalie Lafourcade in candle lit rooms set against clips from the film.
Dante (6;14) – Miguel’s loveable canine companion, Dante, is highlighted in this short feature about how Xolo dogs became part of the film’s mythology.
Paths to Pixar: Coco (11:44) – Pixar artists who worked on Coco discuss how they came to work at Pixar, as well as that Latino identity and how they infused that into the film.
You Get the Part! (2:12) – Anthony Gonzales, voice of Miguel, was offered the part in a unique way, which was captured on film.
The Music of Coco (13:12) – An exploration of the musical styles and instruments in the film from the songwriters and producers, including Oscar nominated “Remember Me.”
Land of our Ancestors (6:19) – The creative team talks about how they created the Land of the Dead to celebrate Dia de los Muertos and how they came up with the rules and logic of the afterlife.
Mi Familia (10:00) – Pixar artists discuss their own family rules and how learning about traditional family dynamics in Mexico played a key role in the story.
Welcome to the Fiesta with Commentary (2:16) – Director Lee Unkrich, Co-Director Adrian Molina, and Producer Darla K. Anderson discuss this “Diarama,” which was produced as a proof of concept for Disney to get the project approved.
A Thousand Pictures a Day (20:03) – The Mexico research trips were captured on film and the creative team talk about how they embraced the culture in the film, as well as how Mexico has embraced Pixar films.
The Real Guitar (3:08) – German Vasquez Rubio created a real world version of Ernesto de la Cruz’s guitar from the film, which is highlighted in this featurette.
Fashion Through the Ages (8:39) – The animators talk about the variety of costumes they had to create for the Land of the Dead due to the centuries of history beyond the veil.
How to Make Papel Picado (2:19) – Pixar Artist Anna Ramirez shares how to make Papel Picado like in the opening to Coco, a skill she learned as a kid in Mexico.
How to Draw a Skeleton (3:18) – Danny Arriaga, Character Art Director on Coco, teaches viewers how to draw a Pixar-style skeleton.
Deleted Scenes (33:07) – Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina present seven deleted scenes in storyboard form, some of which contain unused songs written by Rober Lopez and Kristin Anderson-Lopez.
- Introduction (1:07)
- Dia de los Muertos (5:25)
- The Way of the Riveras (5:55)
- Celebrity Tour (5:09)
- The Bus Escape (4:38)
- Alebrije Attack (3:12)
- The Family Fix (4:31)
- To the Bridge (3:08)
Un Poco Coco (3:05) – A sizzle reel of character animation created to promote the film.
Trailers – Five trailers from around the world are presented to show how the film is marketed differently between countries.
- Feeling – United States Trailer (2:11)
- Dante’s Lunch – Web Exclusive Trailer (1:57)
- Destiny – Mexico Trailer (2:32)
- Journey – Brazil Trailer (1:59)
- Belong – Australia Trailer (2:11)

Movies Anywhere Exclusive

The Characters of Coco (8:20) – The Directors and Producer take you through the Coco art gallery at Pixar, introducing each character through concept art and maquettes.

Video

Coco looks great on Digital HD. The colors are bright and vivid, particularly in the Land of the Dead sequences, and black levels are rendered well. While the video will surely be improved on Blu-Ray, the Digital HD release is still dazzling.

Audio

Audio options on Digital HD include English 5.1 and Spanish stereo. The 5.1 surround mix through iTunes on an Apple TV makes great use of the sound field, throwing voices around the room, often mid-sentence when a character runs off screen. The most chilling moment is when Miguel first strums de la Cruz’s guitar, ghostly voices echo and travel around you.

Final Thoughts

You can now bring home the Golden Globe winning animated feature that has touched so many people’s hearts, Disney Pixar’s Coco. With the Oscars just around the corner, you’ll want to revisit the film that is sure to win Best Animated Feature. With hours of bonus features and a dazzling HD presentation, you can be among the first to own it thanks to the early Digital HD release.
<br />

Digital HD Review – Coco

More Coco Articles