Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation are preparing to drop some new heat, Latin heat, with its new animated musical, Vivo. It was just announced this morning that the animated feature will officially release globally on August 6, 2021. Here’s a quick rundown of what the film is about, the first released clip, and everyone involved. My review of the film and more will be coming soon.
Synopsis:
From Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation — the studio that brought you Oscar winner Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and this year’s critically acclaimed blockbuster The Mitchells vs. The Machines — comes Vivo, an animated musical adventure featuring all-new songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Tony, Grammy, and Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of Hamilton and In the Heights. Vivo follows a one-of-kind kinkajou (aka a rainforest “honey bear,” voiced by 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). 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 (newcomer Ynairaly Simo) – an energetic tween who bounces to the beat of her own offbeat drum to fulfill his owner’s wishes.
The film also features the voices of Zoe Saldaña, Michael Rooker, Brian Tyree Henry, Nicole Byer, Katie Lowes, Olivia Trujillo, and Lidya Jewett.
About the Clip:
Vivo, a musically gifted kinkajou (aka a rainforest “honey bear”) embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to deliver a song to his cherished owner’s long-lost love, with the help of Gabi – an energetic tween who bounces to the beat of her own offbeat drum. Along the way, the pair have been forced to take a shortcut through the Florida Everglades – but nothing can stop this dynamic duo, not even gators!
Does Vivo look like something you and your family will enjoy? Let us know your thoughts.
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
