“Vivo”: The Animated Netflix Movie that Takes Us From Cuba to Miami

Lin-Manuel Miranda is a name that both on Broadway and in Hollywood has become synonymous with success. This American musician, actor, and producer with Puerto Rican roots is the creator of “Hamilton”, a worldwide acclaimed musical, winner of 11 Tony Awards, a Grammy, and a Pulitzer. He is also the creator of “In the Heights,” a musical that celebrates the Latino community in the United States and which had a film adaptation that hit theaters this year.

Miranda has participated as a composer in major film productions such as "Moana" or "Encanto", the Disney film set in Colombia, which will be released in November of this year. In many of his productions, he has stood out for mixing Broadway music with rap, hip hop, and Latin rhythms.

Also read: "En el Barrio": A Musical That Celebrates Latin Culture

The streaming platform Netflix, Sony Pictures Animation, and Lin-Manuel Miranda have joined forces in “Vivo”, an animated film that premiered on August 6. The film features songs and performances by Miranda, who lends her voice to Vivo, a kinkajú (mammal widely distributed in the jungles of Central and South America) of great musical ability who embarks on an adventure from Cuba to Miami to deliver a letter of love that his human friend Andrés never had the courage to give.

Several renowned figures take part in this production. Joining Miranda are the Cuban musician Juan de Marcos González, from Buena Vista Social Club, the famous Cuban-American singer Gloria Estefan, Zoe Saldaña, whom we have seen as Gamora in “Guardians of the Galaxy”, there are also Ynairaly Simo, Michael Rooker, Brian Tyree Henry, and Nicole Byer.

The film is directed by Kirk DeMicco ("The Croods") and Brandon Jeffords ("Burger Rain 2: Revenge of Leftovers") and the script is co-written by Quiara Alegría Hudes ("In the Heights") and Kirk DeMicco.

The fact that this is also a production of Sony Pictures Animation, a studio responsible for quite popular titles such as "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" and "The Mitchells vs. The Machines ”, has generated a lot of interest in this film.

The story of "Vivo"

Vivo is a kinkajú, also known as a honey bear, who, being very young, was adopted by Andrés, a Cuban musician who infects the mammal with his love for music. Together they spend their days offering a musical show in a square in Havana. The routine and peaceful life of this duo take a turn when Andres receives a letter. In it, Marta Sandoval, a former stage companion, who is now a world-renowned star, tells him that she will give her farewell show and that she wishes to share one more time with him.

Andrés always had a deep love for Marta, but he never dared to confess his feelings. Instead, he put all his emotions into an emotional song. From that moment on, Vivo will take as a mission to reach the last Marta Sandoval concert and deliver that confession of love in the form of a song. Along the way, this cute animal will have the help of Gabi, an energetic girl who seeks to live at her own pace.

"Vivo" is a production full of emotional moments. The idea of love and until what moment is it possible to express it is present throughout the work. It also talks about friends who become family and the power that music has to connect with feelings.

This is a colorful and happy film in which the musical parts are very well integrated. It is a film that will undoubtedly appeal to Miranda's fans, those who want to enjoy an entertaining film, and those who wish to see part of the spirit of Caribbean music and culture represented in Hollywood productions.

In short, "Vivo" is a charming adventure, a fun production, ideal to enjoy with the family, which you should not miss.