Vivo
Vivo is a vibrant animated musical adventure from Sony Pictures Animation, featuring original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The story follows Vivo, a music-loving kinkajou, and his owner Andrés, who share a magical musical bond in Havana. When Andrés tragically passes away before he can deliver a love song to his long-lost love, Marta Sandoval, Vivo embarks on an epic journey to Miami to fulfill his friend's dying wish. Along the way, he teams up with Gabi, an energetic and unconventional young girl. The film explores themes of loss, grief, friendship, loyalty, and the transformative power of music, set against colorful Cuban and Floridian backdrops. It is generally suitable for families, with a PG rating, and is often recommended for children aged 6 and older due to some emotional and mildly intense scenes.
Concerns
Violence
MediumThe film contains mild slapstick violence and scenes of peril, typical for a PG-rated animated adventure. While characters face threats and chases, graphic violence or gore is absent. The violence is generally played for laughs or to create tension in an adventurous context.
Examples include Vivo throwing objects from a backpack at girls on scooters during a chase, and scenes where Vivo and Gabi are pursued by a giant snake named Lutador with glowing red eyes and sharp teeth, who attempts to eat them. Other instances involve dogs chasing Vivo and security guards pursuing Vivo and Gabi through a building.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe film includes several intense and potentially frightening scenes for younger viewers, particularly involving peril and themes of loss. The death of a beloved character is a central emotional plot point, and adventure sequences feature threats from dangerous animals and natural disasters.
The death of Andrés is depicted by showing his limp, lifeless hand in bed, causing sadness for Vivo. Intense scenes include Gabi falling off an opening bridge onto a ship and Vivo and Gabi being caught in a ferocious storm in the Everglades while on a raft. A giant python, Lutador, is a menacing antagonist who chases the protagonists, attempting to capture and eat them. A spoonbill bird makes a joking, euphemistic reference to a 'dirt nap' (death).
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe character of Gabi exhibits rebellious tendencies and a disrespectful attitude towards rules and authority figures. While her actions are often driven by good intentions (helping Vivo), she frequently ignores warnings and makes impulsive choices that lead to dangerous situations. The film portrays her as a risk-taker who often acts without considering consequences.
Gabi is described as a 'risk-taker' who 'often doesn't think much about the consequences of her actions' and breaks rules. Her song, 'My Own Drum,' explicitly states her preference for following her own rules. She defies the Sand Dollar Girls, an environmentally conscious troop, who act as a form of authority in the Everglades, by ignoring their concerns for Vivo's well-being and legal status.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowThere is no confirmed LGBTQ+ content or gender identity themes explicitly portrayed within the animated movie 'Vivo.' Searches for related terms primarily yielded general movie information, unrelated entities sharing similar names, or discussions about crew members' personal lives or creators' advocacy outside the film's content. Therefore, this concern is considered minimal within the film's narrative.
No explicit LGBTQ+ characters or themes are present in the film's storyline. Discussions of LGBTQ+ connections were limited to an editor's personal transgender journey, not the film's content, and Lin-Manuel Miranda's advocacy efforts unrelated to the movie's narrative.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowRomantic elements are mild and innocent, primarily focusing on affectionate relationships and expressions of love. There are no explicit sexual scenes or suggestive content. The film depicts love in a sentimental and wholesome manner, suitable for its target audience.
Andrés has a lifelong unexpressed love for Marta Sandoval, with flashbacks showing them dancing together romantically in their youth. Additionally, two spoonbill birds, Dancarino and Valentina, fall in love, sing romantic songs, and are shown 'necking' by wrapping their necks around each other.
Profanity
LowThe movie contains very mild coarse language. Any instances of profanity are infrequent and not strong, generally limited to terms considered acceptable for younger audiences within a comedic or lighthearted context.
Parental reviews mention isolated instances of mild language such as 'butt' and one use of the word 'dang'.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere are no elements of witchcraft, sorcery, or occult practices presented in 'Vivo.' The narrative centers on music, adventure, and emotional themes, without incorporating supernatural or magical rituals.
The film does not depict any characters engaging in magic rituals, spellcasting, summoning spirits, or using occult symbols. All elements align with a contemporary musical adventure story.
Substance Use
LowThe film contains no depictions or references to substance use, including alcohol, drugs, or smoking. This content area is entirely absent from the movie.
Reviews explicitly state 'no use of substances in Vivo' and 'None' for Alcohol / Drug Use.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe movie does not contain any explicit anti-Christian themes. While it touches upon spiritual elements like a memorial service and a brief mention of destiny or predeterminism, these are presented generally and are not critical of Christian faith or practices.
After Andrés dies, a memorial service is held where mourners light candles. A brief line mentions that Andrés and Marta's reunion 'wasn't meant to be,' suggesting a sense of fate or predeterminism, but this is not tied to any specific religious doctrine.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Parental Guidance recommended for children aged 6-8, and generally suitable for ages 8 and over. This recommendation is based on the movie's PG rating, which includes some mild thematic elements, moments of peril, and emotional themes related to death and grief that younger children might find upsetting or intense.
Additional Notes
The film balances themes of loss and grief with positive messages about love, friendship, loyalty, and embracing individuality. It also highlights the diversity of Cuban music and culture. Parents might find opportunities to discuss the consequences of risk-taking and the importance of perseverance with their children, as exemplified by Gabi's journey.
Related Reviews
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