Coco

The cinematic journey begins with a delightful precursor: OLAF'S FROZEN ADVENTURE. As the snowy streets of Arendelle transform into a winter wonderland, Olaf (Josh Gad) bursts with excitement, eager to experience his first Christmas since the passing of Anna's (Kristen Bell) and Elsa's (Idina Menzel) parents. The sisters, determined to create a festive atmosphere for their kingdom, put on a grand celebration, but alas, their citizens depart, seeking solace in their own holiday traditions. Undeterred, Olaf and his trusty steed, Sven, set out to discover the perfect tradition for Anna and Elsa.

As Olaf embarks on his mission, he visits every household in town, collecting mementos from each family to bring back to the castle. His journey takes a dramatic turn when Oaken (Chris Williams) gifts him a sauna, which inadvertently sets ablaze Olaf's collection of souvenirs and Sven's sled. The duo's valiant efforts to salvage the situation ultimately result in their prized possessions plummeting down a cliff, leaving only a solitary piece of fruitcake as a reminder.

As Olaf and Sven venture into the woods, they find themselves pursued by a pack of wolves. The pair narrowly escapes danger, but not before the fruitcake is swooped up by a cunning hawk. Meanwhile, Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) is busy concocting his traditional troll stew, oblivious to the commotion unfolding outside.

Sven's pleas for help eventually reach Kristoff, who joins forces with Anna and Elsa to stage a massive search party for Olaf. Their quest leads them deep into the woods, where they finally locate Olaf, dejected by his perceived failure to procure a suitable tradition. However, Anna reveals a treasured box of handmade crafts and cards she created for Elsa as children, each featuring Olaf's adorable visage. This heartwarming discovery sparks a realization: Olaf has been their cherished tradition all along.

As the kingdom's residents gather at the castle to celebrate, the scene is set for a joyous reunion. And in a peculiar yet endearing twist, the hawk, still grasping the fruitcake, inadvertently bestows it upon Olaf, who proudly proclaims this serendipitous event a "Christmas miracle." With the fruitcake now nestled atop his head, Olaf's infectious enthusiasm spreads throughout the kingdom, as the festivities commence in earnest.

In the vibrant town of Mexico, a young boy named Miguel Rivera (Anthony Gonzalez) weaves a tale of family curses and forgotten dreams. His great-great grandmother, Mama Imelda (Alanna Ubach), was once smitten with a charismatic musician who abandoned her to pursue his artistic ambitions, leaving Imelda to shoulder the burden of raising their daughter alone. Refusing to be consumed by sorrow, Imelda decreed that music would never again be a part of their family's heritage, and instead instilled in them a tradition of shoe-making that has been passed down through generations.

Miguel lives with his loving Mama (Sofia Espinosa) and Papa (Jaime Camil), as well as his aunts, uncles, Abuelita Elena (Renee Victor), and her mother, the enigmatic Mama Coco (Ana Ofelia Murguia). Elena's own anger towards her grandfather for abandoning her mother and grandmother led her to perpetuate the music ban in their family. Miguel, however, is an aspiring musician who longs to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Ernesto De La Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), a renowned singer-songwriter whose rags-to-riches story has captivated him.

As Miguel recounts his tale to a mariachi player, he learns about the upcoming music competition on Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which presents an opportunity for him to showcase his talent. The mariachi man lends Miguel his guitar, but Abuelita's sudden intervention sends the musician packing and claims the instrument as her own.

As the family observes their beloved tradition, a scrappy street dog named Dante wanders into their midst, drawn to the ofrenda (offering) left for their ancestors. In an effort to rescue Dante from the festivities, Miguel inadvertently shatters the photograph of Mama Imelda with her young daughter Coco and Imelda's husband, whose face has been torn from the frame. As Miguel gingerly collects the fragments, he discovers that the man in the picture is holding a guitar identical to Ernesto's, leading him to speculate that this mysterious figure might be Ernesto's great-great grandson.

As Miguel's desperation grows, he retreats to his secret sanctuary only to find that his family has stumbled upon his sacred guitar and treasured De La Cruz memorabilia. Abuelita's wrath is swift and merciless, shattering the instrument and banishing Miguel from the family's revered ofrenda. The young boy's tears fall like autumn rain as he flees into town, determined to participate in the competition despite his lack of a personal instrument.

In a bold move, Miguel defies the spirits by infiltrating Ernesto's tomb and claiming the legendary guitar for himself. As soon as his fingers touch the strings, a radiant light bursts forth, but it also attracts the attention of the vigilant guards outside. Undeterred, Miguel attempts to defend himself, only to find that they can see right through him - literally. The once-visible boy now exists in a state of limbo, invisible to everyone except Dante, who remains steadfastly by his side.

As Miguel stumbles through the darkness, he finds himself pulled into an open grave and hauled out by a skeletal crone with a mischievous grin. He soon discovers that he is not alone, surrounded as he is by ancestors from the Land of the Dead, all busily transporting their cherished ofrendas to the other side. Among this spectral gathering, Miguel encounters his own forebears - Tia Rosita (Selene Luna), Papa Julio (Alfonso Arau), Tia Victoria (Dyana Ortelli), and the identical twins Tio Oscar and Felipe (both Herbert Siguenza) - who instantly recognize their wayward descendant.

Together, they set out to right a grave injustice: Mama Imelda's inability to cross over. As they journey through the Land of the Dead, Miguel's family and ancestors converge on the bridge of delicate petals, where a procession of spirits is attempting to make its way to the afterlife. Meanwhile, Hector (Gael Garcia Bernal), a skeleton masquerading as Frida Kahlo, finds himself thwarted in his bid to cross over due to the absence of any images of him from the family ofrendas. His futile attempts to defy fate are met with a stern rebuff by the security guards, who refuse to allow him passage.

As the Riveras attempt to unravel the mystery behind Imelda's frustration, they seek guidance from a bemused clerk (Gabriel Iglesias), only to discover that Miguel's secret treasure - his grandmother's cherished portrait from the ofrenda - is the very reason she cannot cross over. Moreover, with the sun beginning to rise, Miguel must find a way back home or risk being trapped in this supernatural realm forever. The clerk presents them with a peculiar proposition: if Miguel can secure the blessing of his family, he may be able to reclaim his grandmother's portrait and return to the world of the living. Imelda, driven by desperation, bestows her blessing upon Miguel, but only on the condition that he abandon his passion for music - a sacrifice that weighs heavily on his shoulders. Reluctantly, Miguel agrees, touching the sacred petal and being sent back to Ernesto's tomb. His resolve weakened, he seizes his guitar once more, prompting an instant return to the Land of the Dead. Realizing that his family will not grant their blessing unless he surrenders his music forever, Miguel makes a bold decision: he sets out with Dante to find Ernesto and secure the blessing that will allow him to return home.

Meanwhile, Imelda sends forth a spectral creature, Pepita - an ethereal, rainbow-hued tiger-like Alebrije - in pursuit of Miguel. As fate would have it, Miguel crosses paths with Hector, a ghostly figure haunted by his own mortality. With Hector's guidance, Miguel embarks on a perilous journey to find Ernesto, but not before the cunning spirit reveals his true intentions: he seeks not only Ernesto's blessing but also Miguel's photo, which he plans to display in the ofrenda as a means of crossing over himself.

In this treacherous landscape, Miguel finds himself masquerading as a skeleton to avoid detection. Hector leads him to the fabled Sunrise Spectacular show, where Ernesto is said to appear. Unbeknownst to Miguel, this mystical event serves as a competition for the most talented musician, with the winner granted an audience with Ernesto. As fate would have it, Miguel stumbles upon a rehearsal for an art show, courtesy of the enigmatic Frida Kahlo (Natalia Cordova-Buckley). Inspired by his presence, she incorporates music into her piece, and the other musicians soon recognize Hector - "Chorizo" to his peers - who died under peculiar circumstances involving a chorizo sausage. Despite his disdain for musicians, Hector begrudgingly offers Miguel guidance, leading him to a mysterious figure with connections to the world of music.

As Hector leads Miguel to the bedside of Chicharron (Edward James Olmos), a fading friend who's lost his will to move from his hammock, the significance of their visit becomes poignantly clear. For this is no ordinary encounter; it's a chance for Hector to pay homage to a musical legacy that's slipping away with its owner. With reverence, Hector asks permission to retrieve Chicharron's guitar, but only after he serenades his friend with a heartfelt performance of their shared favorite tune. As the notes fade into silence, Chicharron disappears forever, leaving behind a somber reminder that this is indeed the "Final Death" – a moment when a soul leaves this world without anyone left to remember its existence.

With the weight of this poignant encounter still heavy in his heart, Hector and Miguel finally make it to the highly anticipated competition. But just as Miguel prepares to take the stage with Chicharron's guitar, Hector intervenes, cautioning him against playing "Remember Me" – a song too ubiquitous to leave an indelible mark on the audience. Instead, Miguel takes a bold step forward, accompanied by Hector's impassioned vocals, and belts out "Poco Loco" to thunderous applause from the crowd. Yet, amidst the celebration, Miguel's family emerges into view, their presence a stark reminder of his earlier deception. Hector seethes with indignation, pointing out that Ernesto could have been retrieved at any moment had Miguel only revealed the truth.

Abandoning his companions, including the wise and loyal Dante, Miguel makes a break for Ernesto's plaza, leaving Hector and Imelda to watch him disappear into the crowd. As if sensing her companion's distress, Imelda sets off in hot pursuit of Miguel, her footsteps echoing through the deserted streets. When she finally catches up with him, Miguel attempts to flee once more – but this time, Imelda won't be ignored. With a voice that soars like an angel's, she begins to sing, her melodic beauty piercing the air. Yet, Miguel remains resolute in his determination to distance himself from Imelda and the painful memories they share, walking away as if to escape not only the music but also the emotions it evokes.

As Miguel arrives at Ernesto's plaza, his soulful voice fills the air, captivating the crowd and catching Ernesto's attention. With a sense of pride and belonging, Miguel reveals his true identity - that of Ernesto's great-great grandson - and the two share a heartfelt afternoon of bonding and storytelling. As they reminisce about their shared passion for music, Ernesto opens up about his own struggles to balance artistic ambition with familial responsibilities, acknowledging that some things are simply meant to be. Just as Miguel is on the cusp of receiving Ernesto's blessing, Hector appears in disguise, determined to put an end to any further emotional connections between Ernesto and his family.

As it becomes clear that Ernesto and Hector have a complex history, flashbacks reveal their tumultuous past, marked by a deep-seated betrayal. It transpires that Ernesto was responsible for Hector's demise, using the very same poisoned drink he had given him in one of his own films. The revelation is nothing short of devastating, as Miguel comes to terms with the fact that Ernesto, his idol and great-great grandfather, is a man consumed by deceit and manipulation.

In the depths of despair, Miguel expresses regret for abandoning his family and blindly following in Ernesto's footsteps. Hector, however, offers words of wisdom, sharing his own desire to reconcile with his daughter Coco, Miguel's ancestor. As the truth begins to unravel, it becomes apparent that Hector is, in fact, Miguel's great-great grandfather, who penned the iconic song "Remember Me" specifically for Coco. A poignant flashback shows the two singing together, their voices intertwined in a beautiful harmony.

As Miguel and Hector find themselves at the mercy of Ernesto's guards, they are suddenly rescued by Dante, Pepita, and Imelda. As the group works to reunite with Miguel's family, it becomes clear that Dante has been an Alebrije all along, transforming into a vibrant, winged creature before their eyes. With his great-great grandfather's story finally revealed, Miguel is faced with the daunting task of confronting Ernesto and reclaiming the cherished photo of Hector that he had taken. Though Imelda still harbors deep-seated pain and resentment towards Hector for abandoning her, she ultimately agrees to help Miguel in his quest for closure and redemption.

As the Ernesto's spectacle reaches its climax, the unsuspecting family finds themselves backstage, swiping a treasured memento from the host himself. But Imelda's star turns out to be the real showstopper, her enchanting voice and Hector's soulful accompaniment mesmerizing the crowd. However, Ernesto's true intentions are revealed when he snatches Miguel and attempts to toss him off the rooftop, only to be thwarted by a sudden exposé of his deceit and villainy. The cameras capture his nefarious deeds, revealing his treachery to the audience, who promptly turns on him in outrage. As Ernesto meets his comeuppance, Pepita swoops in to rescue Miguel, depositing him safely back at the scene of the crime.

As dawn breaks, Hector's time is running out, while Miguel's skeletal appearance serves as a grim reminder of their shared fate. Imelda's blessing imbues Miguel with new life, and he returns home to find his family in disarray. Undeterred, Miguel sets out to find Coco, ignoring his family's pleas for him to return. He takes up Hector's guitar once more, pouring his heart into a heartfelt rendition of "Remember Me." The music works its magic, reviving Coco's memories and touching the hearts of her loved ones.

A year passes, and the cycle of life and death begins anew. As the family gathers around the ofrenda, they remember those who have passed on, including Coco, whose legacy lives on through the music she shared with Hector. The museum dedicated to Hector's songs has become a testament to his enduring spirit, while Ernesto's own grave is condemned, a fitting punishment for his treachery.

Meanwhile, Pepita and Dante transform into their mortal forms, allowing them to remain in the world of the living. In the Land of the Dead, Imelda and Hector join Coco on her journey, their trio of spirits crossing the bridge together. Miguel's ancestors look on with pride as he takes center stage, his guitar and voice weaving a spell that brings joy to all who listen.

*CUT TO THE CHASE*