Vivo

Name: Vivo
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Animation, Family, Musical
Released: August 6, 2021
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 66
Cast: Brian Tyree Henry, Gloria Estefan, Juan de Marcos González, Katie Lowes, Leslie David Baker

2021

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 39 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	Your Score
6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 39 Ratings

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Vivo (Teaser Trailer 1)

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) | Release Date (Streaming): August 6, 2021 | PG

Starring: Brian Tyree Henry, Gloria Estefan, Juan de Marcos González, Katie Lowes, Leslie David Baker, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Michael Rooker, Nicole Byer, Olivia Trujillo, Paloma Morales, Ynairaly Simo, Zoe Saldana

Summary: Vivo follows a one-of-kind kinkajou (aka a rainforest “honey bear,” voiced by Lin-Manuel 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 Gonzáles). Though they may not speak the same language, Vivo and Andrés are the perfect duo throughVivo follows a one-of-kind kinkajou (aka a rainforest “honey bear,” voiced by Lin-Manuel 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 Gonzáles). Though they may not speak the same language, Vivo and Andrés are the perfect duo through their common 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 (Ynairaly Simo) – an energetic tween who bounces to the beat of her own offbeat drum to fulfill his owner’s wishes.… Expand

Director: Brandon Jeffords and Kirk De Micco and Matthew O'Callaghan and Will Finn

Genre(s): Adventure, Comedy, Animation, Family, Musical

Rating: PG

Runtime: 95 min

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Critic Reviews

Peter Debruge

Jul 29, 2021

Vivo is strategically contrived to hit audiences’ pleasure spots, blending a grown-up-friendly story of a Latin-music couple whose careers took them in separate directions with all the hyper-caffeinated comedy action the kiddos expect from the medium. Plus, the songs build on one another, hooking in your head and snowballing as the movie develops. Read full review

Polygon Petrana Radulovic

Aug 6, 2021

When the movie leans into the music and the love story at its core, it shines, evoking poignant emotions. But when the filmmakers try to smoosh in wildlife hijinks, it falls into the all-too-familiar trappings of the most cliché animated kids movies. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Aug 6, 2021

This sinks or swims on its songs, and Miranda as a busking/hustling/rhyme-spitting monkey makes it swim. Read full review

Aparita Bhandari

Aug 5, 2021

It’s glorious in some parts, stretches out your willingness to suspend disbelief in others. Nevertheless, a movie that leaves you with a Missy Elliott style grrrl power anthem as an earworm is totally worth a lazy summer afternoon sprawled in front of your TV – as you make mental notes to sign up your kids for musical theatre classes the minute you’re allowed. Read full review

Mark Feeney

Aug 5, 2021

Last year’s biggest animated feature was Pixar’s Soul. The best thing about it was a rare feeling for music, an ability to express jazz visually and rhythmically. At times, Vivo does the same even better for Latin music. Read full review

Maya Phillips

Aug 5, 2021

Vivo, despite its exuberant beginning and heartfelt ending, struggles to offer more than odd turns and clichés in the rest of its story. Read full review

IndieWire David Ehrlich

Jul 29, 2021

Vivo grows increasingly generic and forgettable as the film goes on, and the closer its furry hero gets to finding a silver lining, the more viewers wish that he never went looking for one at all. Read full review

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User Reviews

SkriLLo

Aug 29, 2021

Simply amazing! This is currently my child's favorite movie as he watches it over and over. It's absolutely well done and the music is probably the best part. The composition of the songs are moving, catchy, instrumentally genius, and high end professional. It also has a great Latin flare toSimply amazing! This is currently my child's favorite movie as he watches it over and over. It's absolutely well done and the music is probably the best part. The composition of the songs are moving, catchy, instrumentally genius, and high end professional. It also has a great Latin flare to it. Exploring Cuba, the Florida Keys, the Everglades, and finally Miami was a great adventure! Highly recommend!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Boosher

Aug 8, 2021

Watch it for what it is - a brilliant heart warming musical with soul and charm.

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

qkhan

Sep 17, 2021

this movie is simply amazing with no doubts. the lively animation, the PHENOMENAL character design, and the BANGER songs! I totally recommend this!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

desdar300

Aug 7, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Vivo is a lovely little film with a lot of heart and IMO some fantastic music.
The story focuses on a Konkajou named Vivo and a little girl named Gabi who want to go on a journey to deliver a love confession from the latter's late uncle to a big musician who's about to perform her last concert.
At its core the movie is about how music connects us even when we are no longer around and I think for the most part it does it very well.
However, it does follow a familiar formula that some people may recognize from more modern animated movies such as Moana or Coco with it being a buddy cop movie with a strong focus on culture and music but what makes up for all of those cliches is the heart and great music that accompany this production.
If you ask me, Sony has another great animated film under there belt counting this and the Mitchells vs Machines… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

jfallen1990

Sep 7, 2021

A wonderful movie to watch with the family. The music is catchy and the animation is a sight to see. The story drew me in and you root for the main character to finish his quest. One character was annoying and some songs dont land but overall had a good time with this film

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Stream2BigScree

Aug 7, 2021

You know, sometimes Netflix just knows how to surprise you. This week they did that again with, Vivo. This week Vivo was released by Netflix and Sony Picture Animation with some striking and captivating animation. Vivo is an animated musical adventure featuring all-new songs from Lin-ManuelYou know, sometimes Netflix just knows how to surprise you. This week they did that again with, Vivo. This week Vivo was released by Netflix and Sony Picture Animation with some striking and captivating animation. Vivo is an animated musical adventure featuring all-new songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda. The movie follows a kinkajou, Vivo, (aka a rainforest "honey bear," voiced by Miranda), who spends his days playing music with his friend, Andres (Buena Vista Social Club's Juan de Marcos), in Cuba. Andres is invited to world famous Marta Sandoval's last concert because they were former partners. Vivo and crew set out to meet Marta and provide her with a new song that will bring back the magic of her past with Andres. Let's see how this movie comes together.

Vivo is such a fun film for kids and families. It has great themes: how to find yourself; being true to yourself; fighting for love; you don't have to do it on your own; there's not just one way to be great; among other great ideas. That's a lot to pack into a little movie. Vivo gives all the feels of Up, Rio, and Coco. If you touch the realms of those animated classics, you've done well. I wouldn't say Vivo is better than those but at least it's in good company. Speaking of good company, being led by Lin-Manuel Miranda is always good company. Along with the cast and songs, Vivo is so vibrant, even though it's a bit too stereotypical Lin rapping. At times, I wish he would just mix it up a bit and not do the same exact thing as Hamilton and In the Heights but in animation. While it is still good, it's just not as impressive when you already know what you're going to get. Since we already know we are getting quality music, we also got quality voice acting by the rest of the cast. I fell in love with my girl, Gabi. Vivo is a diverse and culture-filled animation that makes you feel at home or a part of the family. The production, direction, and animation is just stellar. I just couldn't take my eyes away from scenes in this movie. Pixar and Disney missed out on making this film, but Sony Animation is starting to catch up in the animation creativity realm with their films like Spiderverse and The Mitchells vs. The Machines.

Long story short, Vivo is a really nice and well done animation movie. In fact, it’s so well done that I’m glad that it is available for everyone to see on streaming services but I’d love to see this on the big screen in the theaters. While this doesn’t match the levels of Coco but it’s pretty close with the pulling on the heartstrings. Lin-Manuel Miranda and crew feed you a big box of fresh popcorn. Make sure you check out Vivo on Netflix.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

Mehan

Sep 16, 2021

It was a bad film because it didnt had a great plot and ending was predictable and it had a lot boring music.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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