In just a little over a year, writer/director Lin-Manuel Miranda brings us his third musical film. Following a recording of his Broadway mega-hit, Hamilton, and the traditional musical In the Heights (which also enjoyed a Broadway run), comes Vivo -- the prolific creative's first foray into animation.
As he did in Hamilton, Miranda once again stars in the title role but this time as a rhythmically-inclined kinkajou instead of the U.S.'s first Secretary of the Treasury. After making his way from his native tropical rainforest to Cuba, Vivo is raised -- and taught music -- by local musician Andres, who frequently entertains crowds in a Havana square. One day, Andres receives a letter (and a plane ticket and backstage pass) from Miami-based pop star Marta Sandoval, inviting him to her farewell performance. It turns out that Andres was Marta's musical partner 60 years prior and, though they haven't kept in touch, Marta's been harboring romantic feelings for him ever since. Sadly, Andres passes away before he can make the trip to the Florida. However, he does manage to write a new song, Para Marta, intended for his old friend. So it's up to Vivo to deliver the tune. But of course, doing so is much easier said than done for a pint-sized "honey bear" who can't talk to humans.
Miranda wrote 11 songs for the movie and while Vivo isn't quite on the same level as Hamilton (What is?), it's a huge step up from In the Heights. And as a Latino animated musical Vivo even exceeds Coco, with which it shares more than a few similarities (for instance, the death of an elderly loved-one is an overriding theme). This Sony-produced competition for Disney and Pixar is definitely worth your time. Check it out.
Coming to Netflix on August 6.
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