Was there ever really a doubt in the "Best Animated Feature" category?

"Coco" entered Sunday night as the odds-on favorite to take home the coveted award at the Oscars. The Pixar movie took down a field of steady contenders to earn the golden statue. Victory ensured some unusual history for the studio that housed the production of the movie. It also gave the chance for a community of people in the crossfire of the current administration to show some pride in their proper representation.

An expected Oscars triumph

When actors from "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" came to the stage to present the award, it became fitting for them to hand it to their brethren in the Disney universe.

"Coco" was a heavy favorite to take home the award, after all. Other contenders at the Oscars included "Ferdinand," "Loving Vincent," "The Breadwinner," and the much-ballyhooed "The Boss Baby."

It was basically a coronation for "Coco."

Making the victory even more special was the discussion about representation it spurred. The movie is about a young boy who discovers friendship, ancestry, and belief during Mexico's annual Day of the Dead celebration, a staple of the calendar in Latin countries. There's a constant dialogue coming from the United States administration decrying the Mexican people - having the ability to take pride at the Oscars due to a movie like "Coco" is essential.

The victory also helped Pixar make some history of their own. The "Best Animated Feature" award has been handed out since 2001 when "Shrek" won the inaugural award. Since then, the award has been handed out 17 times at the Oscars. "Coco" gives the studio nine of those victories - over half. If that doesn't prove Pixar's dominance of the animated feature landscape, nothing will.

'Coco' keeps winning

"Best Animated Feature" wasn't the only victory "Coco" claimed at the Oscars on Sunday night. "Remember Me," written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, won "Best Original Song." It beat "Mighty River" from "Mudbound," "Mystery of Love" from "Call Me by Your Name," "Stand Up for Something" from "Marshall," and "This Is Me" from "The Greatest Showman."

Next year, Pixar is set to release just one film: "Incredibles 2." Not only will that be one of the biggest animated films of the year, it will be one of the biggest films overall in 2018. Might as well get the acceptance speech at the Oscars ready as soon as possible.
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