Vivo (2021)
IMDb rating: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 86%
This animated musical adventure features all-new songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Tony, Grammy, and Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of Hamilton (who you’ll recognise from His Dark Materials). Vivo follows a one-of-kind kinkajou (aka a rainforest “honey bear,” voiced by Miranda), who spends his days playing music to the crowds in a lively square with his beloved owner Andrés (Buena Vista Social Club’s Juan de Marcos).
Though they may not speak the same language, Vivo and Andrés are the perfect duo, thanks to their shared love of music. But when tragedy strikes shortly after Andrés receives a letter from the famous Marta Sandoval (three-time Grammy-winning Latin pop legend Gloria Estefan), inviting her old partner to her farewell concert with the hope of reconnecting, it’s up to Vivo to deliver a message that Andrés never could: a love letter to Marta, written long ago, in the form of a song.
Yet in order to get to Marta, who lives a world apart, Vivo will need the help of Gabi (newcomer Ynairaly Simo) – an energetic tween who bounces to the beat of her own offbeat drum – to fulfil his owner’s wishes.
Also featuring the voice talents of Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Byer and more, this sweet family movie is described as “A warm, colourful, family-friendly tribute to all things Cuban directed by Kirk DeMicco” by BBC.com.
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