Netflix has found success partnering up with Sony Pictures Animation recently. Earlier in 2021, The Mitchells vs. The Machines was a huge hit both commercially and critically and now a new release is following suit. That would be Vivo, an animated tale about a kinkajou on a musical mission from Cuba to Miami.
While the visuals, voice acting, plot, and music were all praised, a movie can’t work this well without enjoyable characters. Some are incredibly likable, others grow over time, and some are antagonists but all have their significant place in making this a film that fans and critics have both praised.
Bus Driver Bob
Throughout the time in Miami, the film sees many random humans roaming the city. The majority of them don’t make an impact on the plot but one manages to stand out as being pretty funny. That would be the driver (Leslie David Baker) of the bus that Gabi and Vivo attempted to ride.
He first showed up when Vivo tried boarding the bus and when he kicked Vivo out, the patrons riding cheered for him. Apparently, it was him again driving the bus later in the day when Rosa tried to make him pull over. Instead, he chose to please the crowd again and sped past her. When he talks with her soon after, his nametag reads Bob.
Lutador
Nearly every film needs its antagonist and though there are a few small ones throughout Vivo, the most menacing is easily Lutador (Michael Rooker). This massive snake has vicious intentions at every turn, looking to eat Vivo as soon as he meets him.
The same goes for when he encounters the Sand Dollars and Gabi. This anaconda hates hearing noise and for that simple reason, he lashes out at anyone who makes a sound. Lutador is pretty evil, as evidenced by how he seems to have his area terrified under his thumb but he’s easily outsmarted by Vivo and the girls.
Rosa
In terms of importance to the story, Rosa (Zoe Saldana) is crucial. She’s the great-niece of Andrés and Gabi’s mother, which gives her a key connection to the overall story and Vivo. The issue is that Rosa couldn’t seem to connect to her daughter in any meaningful way.
Rosa didn’t grasp that her daughter was a unique person and she just wanted to force her to fit in and do things she didn’t want to. In that way, she was another antagonist. Of course, Rosa loved Gabi and didn’t mean harm but was clearly struggling with the loss of Gabi’s father. Their connection at the end of the plot was a sweet moment.
Becky, Eva & Sarah (The Sand Dollars)
The main thing that Rosa wants Gabi to do that she doesn’t want to is to be a member of the Sand Dollars. They are a group of girl scout troopers who mean well when it comes to protecting animals and the environment but they can be overzealous with their actions.
Becky, Eva, and Sarah started as antagonists for Gabi as they looked to take Vivo to protect him in their own way. However, they quickly moved to the good side after Vivo helped save them from Lutador. From assisting Gabi and Vivo in their ultimate quest to funny scenes like constantly eating cookies, the Sand Dollars were an unexpected delight.
Dancarino & Valentina
A hero often needs all the help they can get. Vivo had that in spades, from Gabi to the Sand Dollars, but arguably his greatest assistance came from Dancarino (Brian Tyree Henry) and Valentina (Nicole Byer). It all started when Vivo came across Dancarino looking to bury himself.
Vivo helped Dancarino first, getting him to talk to the female that he liked, Valentina. It turned out that the two were very similar and hit it off instantly, forming a lovely bond. They also returned after initially leaving, saving Vivo in the nick of time and ensuring his journey continued.
Marta
The entire story really got put into motion once Marta (Gloria Estefan) wrote a letter to Andrés. He was her old friend and she was a music star who wanted him to visit and play alongside her on stage in Miami before she retired officially.
Marta may have become a star but she clearly never let her ego get to her head. She fondly remembered her friend and was kind to Vivo when he showed up with Andrés’ song. Marta wrapped up her career by singing that tune in an emotional scene and proved to be a good person through and through.
Andrés
The film opened up with a brilliant musical number where Vivo performed alongside Andrés (Juan de Marcos González). He apparently forged a connection with Vivo that meant the world to both of them. His excitement at going to Miami to see Marta was also infectious.
The backstory between Andrés and Marta hammered home how special he is as a person, as he held back his feelings for Marta so that she could live out her dreams in a selfless act. His tragic death coming just before he had a chance to reunite with her was as heartbreaking as it got.
Gabi
As a character, Gabi (Ynairaly Simo) doesn’t feel like a particularly new concept. Movies often have kids who are unique in ways that their parents don’t understand. In fact, Sony’s The Mitchells vs. The Machines was somewhat built around that exact concept.
It happens so much because it works. Gabi dresses differently, looks differently, and most importantly thinks differently from anyone around her. While she may not be accepted by her mother, Vivo, or the Sand Dollars, there’s a reason that she wins everyone over by the end. Her heart is pure, she misses her father, and she’s just a wonderful human being.
Vivo
As is usually the case, the best character in a movie is the one it is named after. For starters, Vivo (Lin-Manuel Miranda) stood out for his impressive musical work with Andrés. You can’t help but fall in love with a character who performs the way that Vio does.
It helps that the kinkajou is also incredibly adorable. Like Gabi, Vivo is pure good as even though he rejects Gabi at first, he saves her and they work together. Vivo’s sadness at Andrés’ death hurt the viewer and his determination to do something good for him afterward makes him someone to root for. Vivo succeeds and finds a new family along the way.
