Parents' Guide to

Vivo

Movie PG 2021 103 minutes
Vivo Poster Image

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?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 6+

Based on 21 parent reviews

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.
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.

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.

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