Parents' Guide to Vivo

Movie PG 2021 103 minutes
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Common Sense Media Review

Sandie Angulo Chen By Sandie Angulo Chen , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 6+

Touching musical about family and love has a little peril.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 6+?

Any Positive Content?

  • 1:10
  • Vivo Trailer
  • Vivo Movie: Scene #1
  • Vivo Movie: Scene #2

Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 25 parent reviews

 

 

See all 25 parent reviews
age 6+

Based on 29 kid reviews

Kids say the film is a mixed experience; while many enjoy the engaging music and emotional story, it also contains heavy themes like death that may be distressing for younger viewers. Most praise the vibrant animation and catchy songs, with some families recommending it for older kids but advising caution for more sensitive ones due to its sad moments.

  • emotional depth
  • family-friendly
  • suitable for older kids
  • catchy soundtrack
  • mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
 

 

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What's the Story?

VIVO opens in modern-day Havana, Cuba, where an older musician named Andrés (Buena Vista Social Club's Juan de Marcos González) entertains audiences with his best friend/just-as-musical pet kinkajou, Vivo (Lin-Manuel Miranda), who loves to sing. Other animals (and, of course, viewers) can understand Vivo's lyrics, but the movie's humans hear cute (and in-tune) animal sounds. Andrés is unexpectedly invited to fly to Miami to play at the farewell concert of his former bandmate and long-lost love, Marta Sandoval (Grammy winner Gloria Estefan). He explains to Vivo that he must go in order to declare his love and give her the song he wrote decades ago as she left Cuba. But then poor Andrés dies in his sleep, clutching the song. During his funeral, Vivo meets Andrés' widowed niece, Rosa (Zoe Saldana), and her quirky, risk-taking tween daughter, Gabi (Ynairaly Simo), who helps smuggle Vivo (and Andrés' song) back to Florida. Once they get there, the story becomes a road trip adventure, as Gabi -- who doesn't feel like she fits in, particularly with the girls in her rules-following Sand Dollar Scout troop -- and Vivo try to get to Miami in time for Marta's big show. Together they face a series of obstacles ranging from comical to frightening as they race to deliver the song to Andrés' one true love.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 25 ):
Kids say ( 29 ):

This upbeat but poignant animated musical benefits from Miranda's signature genre-blending songs, an adorable main character, and Estefan's memorable voice. Sony Pictures Animation was brilliant to strike a deal with Miranda in 2016 to collaborate with their team for this tale of music, love, and friendship. The movie, which Netflix eventually acquired, is sure to strike a chord with the Broadway superstar's devoted Hamilfans, as well as families looking for a colorful, sweet musical with catchy songs, vibrant animation, and a funny (if occasionally perilous) adventure that will remind audiences to appreciate supportive parents, loyal friends, and the ability to tell people you love them while you still have the chance. In addition to Miranda's inimitable voice, Estefan is perfectly cast as the Celia Cruz-like musical superstar who left Cuba decades earlier to build a career in Miami. Acclaimed Cuban musician de Marcos González is wonderful as Andrés, and young Simo shares a believable rapport with both Saldana and Miranda; she also holds her own while rapping and pretending to be off-key (it's a running gag that while music is in her blood, she hasn't quite captured her talent yet).

Brian Tyree Henry and Nicole Byer stand out in their supporting roles as spoonbills who finally get together after eight "dating" seasons thanks to Vivo's seize-the-day encouragement, and Michael Rooker is fairly scary as Lutador the python, a husky-voiced apex predator of the Everglades. Directors Kirk DeMicco and Brandon Jeffords capture the movie's various tropical locales with detailed, differentiating characteristics, making it easy to distinguish between Havana, Key West, the Everglades, and Miami. The Everglades sequences are particularly impressive, with all of the colorful animals and the general sense of unease the swampy mangroves and marshes present to both an unfamiliar animal and humans alike. The movie's vibrant landscapes are best put to use as backdrops for its many original songs, all of which have thoughtful, reflective lyrics about everything from family and grief to loneliness and friendship to love and the importance of following your dream.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the popularity of talking-animal movies. How does Vivo compare to movies in which all of the characters are animals? Why do you think filmmakers -- and families -- gravitate toward movies that have animals as their main characters? Which are your favorites?

  • Do you think Vivo is a role model? How does he demonstrate courage and empathy? Why are those important character strengths? What about Gabi? Why is their teamwork unique?

  • Discuss why Vivo was scared by the idea of Andrés going to Miami. What changes his mind about the importance of one song? What do Vivo and Gabi have in common?

  • What positive representations did you notice in Vivo? Why is it important for the characters in movies and TV shows to be diverse?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

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