Whether a classic thriller, a dramatic spectacle or a horror show, the fall season provides films for every taste. “Coco,” “Maleficent” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” are well-loved favorites, each with their unique differences and similarities. But which movie is best?
A focal point in “Coco” is its brilliant use of color, allowing each scene in the movie to ooze with vibrancy. It played a big role in bringing the story to life and depicted the setting beautifully. Even the smallest details were fully developed, such as ofrendas relished with flowers, food and photos. No part of the film skimped on the wow factor as it offered jaw dropping visuals from start to finish.
“Coco” takes an unconventional approach to plot and is more meaningful than many scary movies which tend to blend together in the usage of horror and gore. It managed to avoid coming across as cheesy and the different aspects of the plot appeal to audiences as its themes of life, death, culture and family garner a variety of emotional responses. The darkness in “Coco” is conveyed through its depiction of the inevitability of death, which is portrayed with a great deal of eloquence and sensitivity.
In “Maleficent,” visual effects, makeup and costumes carried the movie rather than the plot. While watching, it became apparent that transitions felt sudden, lacked flow and punctured the storyline. In the first half, viewers are immersed in the backstory of Sleeping Beauty and introduced to Maleficent, but the prologue was excessively long, leading the remainder of the plot to unfold frantically. Conversations between characters were compromised, causing the movie to be difficult to follow. The swelling music and narration were stimulating at first, but ultimately the pace of the movie was too rushed.
It seems as though some crucial scenes were lacking. For example, the battle scene in the middle of the movie was visually intriguing and featured stellar cinematography, but served no purpose to the progression of the story, and critical scenes between Maleficent and Aurora were sped through and lacked substance. Conversations between characters were compromised, causing the movie to be difficult to follow. The characters’ inconsistent mannerisms also added to the feeling of viewer confusion.
“No part of the film skimped on the wow factor”
Additionally, although there were many good opportunities to add suspense and anticipation, most were not acted on. Disappointingly, the plot was predictable and took away from the intensity of the visuals and acting. Watching the transition to the second half was jarring, as the mood pivoted from dark and mysterious to light-hearted and wholesome. However, Maleficent is a well-written character, and Angelina Jolie’s acting allowed the audience to empathize and gain a deeper understanding of a character who is traditionally perceived as evil. She is multifaceted — neither good nor evil — demonstrating both forgivingness and cruelty.
The “Nightmare Before Christmas” is the oldest film of the three, but has demonstrated its timeless appeal as a classic fall time movie. When compared to “Coco” and “Maleficent,” the grandeur of the visual appeal pales, but there is brilliance to be found in the animation. Viewers can appreciate well-executed stop motion, a feature that cannot be replicated by a computer or computer generated images. Every scene had to be well thought out and intentional as the film couldn’t rely on its curb appeal the way that “Maleficent” could. Interlacing Halloween and Christmas was clever and allowed the plot to expand and cover more ground, capturing the spirit of Halloween and showcasing the meaning of true love. Comedic undertones were present while still maintaining intensity and focus, balancing light with dark. The storyline is straightforward, much like that of “Coco,” but many moments were underdeveloped. The writing of the characters was not consistent all the way through. Jack and Sally’s romance, which was pivotal to the plot, was executed sloppily at some points. However, the principles they embody override the shortcomings in writing, exploring the important themes of innocence and hope as well as identity and discovery.
“Coco” is the most well-rounded movie of the three, creating a perfect balance of visual effects and an engaging storyline. The “Nightmare before Christmas” is a classic that incorporates a blend of new and old, marrying a simple but sweet plot with sincerity and stunning filmmaking techniques. While “Maleficent” showed great promise and delivered astonishing cinematics, it is easily the weakest compared to the others as it lacked substance and passion.
Still, all three films cater to both children and adults, teaching them valuable lessons and providing engaging entertainment. However, if you’re curled up in a blanket with a bag of candy and popcorn this Halloween season, I’d suggest immersing yourself in the wonderful world of “Coco.”
