Parents' Guide to

Vivo

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Touching musical about family and love has a little peril.

Movie PG 2021 103 minutes
Vivo Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 21 parent reviews

MommaDragon
MommaDragon Parent
September 11, 2021
age 10+

Brilliant BUT deals with Death & Suicide.

If you have a high EQ or empathic child, wait until they are older. My son is 7 about to be 8, and while he enjoyed this movie he had a melt down when it was over and was unable to talk about it. The next day he said the movie was too sad with too many big feelings and he'd rather not watch it again. The movie deals with death, things unsaid, some ruminating on what life could have been, and touches on survivors guilt. I could have done with out the animal wanting to end his life because he hadn't found love in 8 mating seasons and therefor felt unlovable & unworthy of life. That being said, these are big concepts for little people. To be fair, they can fly right over the heads of some, but not others. So really consider your kid(s) personality (ies) before watching. Really Good parts: VERY COLORFUL and the music is FANTASTIC. I thought it did a great job in capturing the LatinX community with out being stereo typical or derogatory. The overall message is to be brave enough to dance to the beat of your own drum and life is too short to be afraid to say the things that should be said or live with regret.
Farzam_M
Farzam_M Adult
August 13, 2021
age 10+

Too sad

This movie is very sad. My 8 year old cried almost through the whole movie. There is a death at the beginning and the theme continues throughout the whole film. I think children should be exposed to a range of complex emotions including grief, however in my opinion this movie is way too heavy for many children. At the end of the film both of my children wondered out loud (through their tears) why people would make such a movie.
See all 21 parent reviews

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 (21 ):
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

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