The title kinkajou (voiced by Miranda) has been raised in Cuba by a street performer, Andrés (Juan de Marcos), who reveals his long unpursued love for musical star Marta Sandoval (Gloria Estefan), who is planning a farewell concert in Miami.
An unforeseen turn leaves Vivo seeking to fulfill Andrés’ wishes by embarking on a seemingly impossible mission for a rainforest “honey bear” with big cartoon eyes, journeying to Miami to deliver to Marta the love song that Andrés wrote for her decades earlier.
As with most such quests, the furry musician gets help from a variety of unexpected sources, most significantly a nerdy outcast named Gabi (newcomer Ynairaly Simo), who has lost her father, and whose antics (including a track record of deceased pets) has her poor mother (Zoe Saldaña) at her wits’ end.
The trip to Miami, however, experiences several detours, including one through the Everglades, which mostly feels like a laborious attempt to introduce more animal friends (and foes) while prolonging the modest journey to feature length.
Even so, the songs — featuring the composer’s trademark mix of musical styles and playful lyrical calisthenics — prove catchy and touching, particularly in Andres’ words about sharing Marta, who was destined for bigger things, with the world.
“Vivo” premieres Aug. 6 on Netflix.