Vivo Parent Guide

Andrés (voiced by Juan de Marcos Gonzalez) and his kinkajou, Vivo (Lin-Manuel Miranda), live a lyrical existence in Havana, performing music in a nearby plaza to the delight of dancing crowds. All that changes when Andrés receives a letter from Marta (Gloria Estefan), a singer he accompanied in decades past. Retiring after 60 years, Marta asks Andrés to perform with her at her final concert at the Mambo Cabana in Miami. Vivo objects vigorously to any change, but when circumstances alter, the little honey bear finds himself hitching a plane ride to Florida to deliver an original song to Andrés’ long lost love.

Vivo strikes it lucky with his traveling companion, although it takes some time before he appreciates her. Gabi (Ynairaly Simo) is Andrés’ ten year old niece, and she is a whirlwind of energy, creativity, and self-confidence. “I’m a wow in a world of ho hum,” she sings, and she isn’t kidding. Her frustrated mother is coaxing her to bond with the girls in her Girl-Guide-style troop but Gabi doesn’t want to sell cookies and save the Everglades. She wants to light up the world with her ideas. And when she discovers Vivo’s plans, she’s all in. The pair promptly head off for Miami on an adventure that will see them fending off bossy girls, rafting through the Everglades, and fleeing from a ferocious python…

One of the first things you notice in any film is how the production looks. And Vivo looks fantastic. Havana is a candy-colored confection, with the city’s pastel-colored buildings lovingly rendered along with the antique cars. Miami glows in bright neon and throbs to the pulse of the music. Even Gabi’s room has its own look – chaotically messy (like many kids’ rooms) but also grungy in the corners, with a worn feel that seems entirely authentic. The characters are also clearly drawn, in a highly stylized fashion with wide bottoms and tiny feet. Best of all, the extras are highly diverse with a variety of races and body types and sizes. This is no one-size-fits-all world.

Fans of Lin-Manuel Miranda will also appreciate the soundtrack, which bounces along with his usual cheery syncopation. There’s no real standout here, with the possible exception of Gabi’s “I’m a wow” theme, but the music pushes the story along more than adequately.

What really propels the film, though, is Gabi. Vivo may be the title character, but this little girl dominates every scene she’s in. Impulsive and irrepressible, her unquenchable optimism helps her bounce back from every setback as she dreams up creative solutions to problems (some of which she caused). Gabi is a prototype for resilience and young viewers can learn a fair bit just from watching her. Vivo has lessons to learn about adapting to change but it’s Gabi’s loyalty, authenticity, and determination to be true to herself that is so very powerful. As an added bonus, kids will also benefit as they see the buttoned-down Vivo and the spontaneous little girl learn to work together, balancing each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The movie is a virtual workshop in co-operation.

Thankfully, all of these positive messages come with little negative material. There is some plot-related peril – including some very scary scenes with a hungry giant snake – but any kid who can watch Disney movies is more than capable of managing this story without screaming. To the contrary, most young viewers will be smiling and laughing throughout the film, absorbing all the candy-coated messaging, with no idea that positive emotional lessons lurk beneath the laughs.