Vivo movie review: Lin-Manuel Miranda continues his musical success with this moving animated tale

3.5/5

Story: Vivo, a kinkajou, entertains the people of Cuba by performing at a plaza with musician Andres. The latter soon receives a letter from a famous singer, Marta, asking Andres to join her at her farewell concert in Miami. After tragedy strikes, it's up to Vivo and Andres' grand niece Gabi to ensure that Marta gets to sing the song Andres has written for her. 

Review: To say Lin-Manuel Miranda has been on a roll the past few years would be a massive understatement. From Hamilton to In The Heights, the multi-talented and award-winning actor-singer-songwriter has hardly put a foot wrong or played a wrong note in the last two years - be it in theatre or films. With Vivo, which is currently streaming on Netflix, he lends his magical, musical touch to a moving animated tale too.

Miranda plays a kinkajou named Vivo, who performs daily with musician Andres in a Cuban plaza. Known for entertaining his audience and caring for the small joys in his life, Andres one day gets a letter from renowned musician Marta (Gloria Estefan), asking him to join her for her final concert. This unlocks memories for Andres, who had penned a song about his untold feelings for her. As he gears up for the trip to Miami, tragedy strikes. It then depends on Vivo and Andres' grand niece Gabi (Ynairly Simo) to ensure that Marta gets Andres' song before her farewell concert. 

Also read: In The Heights Review - A delightful musical that sheds light on immigrant realities without losing cinematic flavour 

What follows is an adventure from Cuba to Miami through the city and the dangerous swamplands of Everglades, as the duo navigate challenges, united by their love for music and the purpose to let the song reach Marta. Miranda, who has also composed the tracks, ensures that the story is fast-paced with peppy, upbeat numbers while letting the emotions flow through the lyrics in scenes that meld the feelings of the characters. 

Helmed by The Croods director Kirk DeMicco from a story by Pulitzer winner Quiara Alegria Hudes and High School Musical writer Peter Barsocchini, Vivo's success lies in spreading the joy through the deeds of the past and how these acts serve as fodder to light up the lives of future generations. This is made evident through several scenes but one that stands out is where Vivo doubts what difference a single deed can make and is soon reminded of how Andres took him in when he was lost --- a touching scene where no words were spoken. 

While Vivo and Gabi are a joy to watch when they are together with the kinkajou being the more mature of the two and the animal talk adding to the humour of the film, it's when they part ways that the movie's pace slackens. For instance, the detour to the Everglades slows down the adventure and some of the scenes featuring a green anaconda (Michael Rooker) and two star-crossed spoonbills seem forced, only to accommodate a few more tracks; though good as they are, they hardly do anything for the narrative. 

Gabi's anthem about her walking to the beats of her own drum stands out, and Miranda ensures that there is uniformity in the songs in terms of the personality of the characters - something that's rarely present in musicals where the lyrics of one track often never overlaps another. Though the music of the film though never quite reaches the level of some of Miranda's previous works, it works best when it complements the story like the track where they rush to Miami in the nick of time or Marta's version of Andres' song - which are elevated by amazing visuals that juxtaposes characters' emotions and their present and past. 

Verdict: Miranda's Midas touch once again powers this beautifully-made, music-filled animation that is both moving and funny. The music and cute performances of Miranda and Simo stand out in this tale about celebrating life, true to its title.