Vivo

 Vivo
Starring Lin-MAnuel Miranda, Ynairaly Simo, Zoe Saldana, Juan de Marcos Gonzalez
Directed by Kirk DeMicco

Animated films are synonymous with the names Disney and Pixar, but recently other production companies have come out with their own unique animated tales that have withstood the test of time. DreamWorks Animation has given us the likes of the "Shrek," "How to Train Your Dragon," and "Kung-Fu Panda" franchises as well as classics like "The Prince of Egypt," "Megamind," and "Bee Movie." Before they were bought out and upended by Disney, Blue Sky Studios gave us the beloved "Ice Age" franchise as well as films like "Robots," "Rio," and "Spies in Disguise." Laika's stop-motion animation studio gave us cherished films like "Kubo and the Two Strings," "Coraline," Paranorman," and "The Missing Link." Japan's Studio Ghibli has given us timeless classics "Spirited Away," "Princess Mononoke," "Howl's Moving Castle," and "Grave of the Fireflies." What I'm saying is that there's more animation out there than just those that come from the big mouse. Sony Animation Studios is also one of those companies, who have produced films like "Surf's Up," "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs," the Oscar-winning "Into the Spider-Verse," and "The Mitchells vs. the Machines." Now they've come out with "Vivo," a film celebrating the heart of Cuban lifestyle and the power music has over us, proving that even though we one day will go silent, the music we make will go on forever.

In the streets of Havana, Andres (Juan de Marcos Gonzalez) and his trusty kinkajou Vivo (Lin-Manuel Miranda) perform for the masses, and even though the humans only hear Vivo making animal noises, he actually has a human voice that only the audience and other animals can hear. Vivo loves Andres, but when Andres receives word that his old singing partner (and wannabe love interest) Marta (Gloria Estefan) wants him to perform with her for her final show in Miami, Vivo is hesitant to leave his homeland. When he meets Andres's boisterous, energetic grand-niece Gabi (Ynairaly Simo) and her mother Rosa (Zoe Saldana), however, Vivo decides to head to Miami so he can deliver a song that Andres wrote for Marta before her final performance. Gabi and Vivo then embark on a journey to get the song to her before her final show ends, as they run into conflict with cookie-hungry Girl Scouts, a python who hates noise, and most importantly time as they traverse the wilds of Miami to make it to the show in time.

"Vivo" is an upbeat, stylish, and downright crowd-pleasing film that does follow the traditional path to its obvious conclusion, but as they say, "it is not the destination, it's the journey." The characters are more than just computer-generated characters, but have their own hearts, souls, minds, and uniqueness that makes them memorable and humanistic. We can feel for these characters more than we feel for flesh-and-blood characters in other movies, and that's due to the tremendous vocal performances and dedicated story that doesn't pander to the younger audiences but highlights the issues of loss, grief, regret, and the ultimate power of music.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is best known for giving birth to one of the best musicals of all time - "Hamilton" - but he's also gifted us with great celebratory films like "In the Heights," where he utilizes his unique musical styling to showcase those who don't normally have a voice of their own. Here, he again writes all the songs (and it's obvious as each one has his own unique style and vibe to it) and also voices Vivo, endearing the audience to this lovable mammal. You feel a deep connection with Vivo as he struggles with the loss of a dear friend, as well as facing his own fears to leave his homeland to a new country that he doesn't know, as well as coming into contact with all kinds of different people and animals - most of which want him dead. He shows a strength that's infectious and does everything with a lively tune and humorous sarcasm that'll have you rolling in laughter when you're not covered in tears.

His mismatched partner on his adventure is newcomer Ynairaly Simo, who voices Gabi, a no-nonsense tween who doesn't adhere to the norms that her mother wants her to, such as dressing up like a good Girl Scout and selling cookies with the other girls that she has no connection with. Her mother worries that Gabi isn't going to have any friends and be alone, but she doesn't need people around her to complete her and make her whole, something that everyone needs to hear, but especially young people who will do anything to conform and make friends, even losing themselves in the process. Simo's Gabi is independent, tough, and always thinks on her feet, while also embracing her uniqueness and tenacity, so she's a perfect pairing with Manuel's Vivo, who's more reserved and worried about the unknown.

You feel for these characters, as well as the unrequited love story of Andres and Marta, in such a way that you will be completely drawn into the story despite it's simplistic nature. You want them to succeed, and every time the song that they're holding flies off, you worry that somehow they won't manage to find it again. You want them to make it to their destination for the final cathartic moment, and the movie doesn't disappoint. Yet the destination is just the ending - the entire journey is a worthwhile venture that will have you wanting to re-watch it and enjoy the comradere and also the toe-tapping song numbers that litter the fantastic landscape. The story is wrapped up in a wonderful box of beautiful animation and soulful songs that will touch your hearts and leave you hopeful that there's still some good in the world, and that it's not all doom and gloom.

Proving that they're more than capable of providing unique, touching animated films, Sony Pictures Animation's "Vivo" is a celebration of life, a film that's filled with adventure, humor, heart, and fantastic songs written by the amazing Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The Score: A+