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‘the book of life’: film review.

Jorge R. Gutierrez's animated film, produced by Guillermo del Toro, is inspired by the Mexican holiday the Day of the Dead.

By THR Staff

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The Book of Life Still - H 2014

It’s not surprising that a companion art book to the new animated film directed by Jorge R. Gutierrez and produced by Guillermo del Toro has already been released. Steeped in Mexican folk art and inspired by that country’s holiday the Day of the Dead, The Book of Life is a visually stunning effort that makes up for its formulaic storyline with an enchanting atmosphere that sweeps you into its fantastical world, or in this case, three worlds. The film, which will have an obvious special appeal to Hispanic audiences, should prove a winner for 20th Century Fox Animation.

Bookended by amusing contemporary segments in which a sassy museum tour guide ( Christina Applegate ) hosts a group of skeptical school kids, the story concerns the romantic triangle among the free-spirited Maria ( Zoe Saldana ) and her two suitors: Manolo ( Diego Luna ), the scion of a long line of bullfighters, who really wants to be a singer/guitarist; and the vainglorious Joaquin ( Channing Tatum ), a military hero who struts around with a huge display of medals on his chest.

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The plot is set in motion by squabbling married gods La Muerta ( Kate del Castillo ) and Xibabla (del Toro regular Ron Perlman ), who make a wager as to which of the two men Maria will choose. La Muerta, the ruler of the Land of the Remembered, places her bet on Manolo, while Xibabla, who oversees the dark Land of the Forgotten, puts his faith in Joaquin and thinks nothing of exerting his influence to determine the outcome.

Read More ‘The Art of the Book of Life’ Preview: How to Design a Villain

To that end, he tricks Manolo into thinking that Maria has ventured into the Land of the Remembered, so the love-struck suitor sets off after her. While initially joyful to be introduced to the magical world containing all of his ancestors, Manolo is soon chagrined to discover that Maria is not there and sets off to find La Muerta to help him in his quest, stopping first at the Cave of Souls to consult with the Candle Maker ( Ice Cube ) who’s in charge of The Book of Life. Meanwhile, the Land of the Living is beset by the villainous monster Chakal ( Dan Navarro ) and his gang of bandits, with the inevitable battle affecting the destinies of all concerned. Acerbically commenting on the proceedings from the sidelines is the whiskered, elderly Grandma, hilariously voiced by Grey Griffin .

While the screenplay by Gutierrez and Douglas Langdale may prove a little too convoluted for younger viewers, they will surely be swept up by the magical visuals depicting the three worlds and their — literally, not figuratively — wooden inhabitants (Tatum’s Joaquin is, again, literally square-jawed). Its frames packed with vibrantly colorful, detailed imagery inspired by Latin American folklore and art, the computer-animated film looks particularly impressive in 3D.

Read More ‘Book of Life’ Fashion Collection Celebrates Mexican Art (Exclusive)

Although thankfully devoid of the sort of winking, pop culture-inflected humor prevalent in so many current animated films, The Book of Life provides much amusement with its inspired musical choices. Besides the original score and songs by two-time Oscar winner Gustavo Santaolalla ( Brokeback Mountain , Babel ) and veteran songwriter Paul Williams , there are fun, mariachi-flavored versions of such pop hits as Mumford and Sons’ “I Will Wait,” Radiohead’s “Creep” and Rod Stewart ‘s “Do You Think I’m Sexy?” among others. Luna and Saldana provide their own singing, with impressive results.

Adding further regional flavor is the supporting voice cast, which includes fun contributions by Placido Domingo , Hector Elizondo , Cheech Marin , Gabriel Iglesias and Danny Trejo .

Production: Reel FX Creative Studios, 20th Century Fox Animation, Chatrone Cast: Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana, Channing Tatum, Ron Perlman, Christina Applegate, Ice Cube, Kate del Castillo, Hector Elizondo Director: Jorge R. Gutierrez Screenwriters: Jorge R. Gutierrez, Douglas Langdale Producers: Aaron Berger, Brad Booker, Guillermo del Toro, Carina Schulze Executive producers: Cary Granat, Chuck Peil, Aron Warner Editor: Ahren Shaw Production designers: Paul Sullivan, Simon Valdimir Varela Composer: Gustavo Santaolalla Casting: Christian Kaplan

Rated PG, 95 minutes

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• Cast & crew
• User reviews

The Book of Life

Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart, embarks on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds where he must face his gr... Read all Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart, embarks on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds where he must face his greatest fears. Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart, embarks on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds where he must face his greatest fears.

• Jorge R. Gutiérrez
• Doug Langdale
• Zoe Saldana
• Channing Tatum
• 177 User reviews
• 144 Critic reviews
• 67 Metascore
• 3 wins & 29 nominations

• Candle Maker

• Carlos Sanchez

• Skeleton Luis

• General Posada
• See all cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia Diego Luna does the dialogue for both English and the Spanish dubbing versions of the film.
• Goofs Mary Beth says that November 2 is the Day of the Dead which is partly true. The "Day" in fact lasts from October 31 to November 2.

Goth Kid : What's with Mexicans and death!

• Connections Featured in AniMat's Reviews: The Book of Life (2014)
• Soundtracks Peer Gynt Suite No.1 Op.46 Morning Mood Written by Edvard Grieg Courtesy of APM Music

User reviews 177

• Oct 15, 2014
• How long is The Book of Life? Powered by Alexa
• October 17, 2014 (United States)
• United States
• Official Facebook
• Official Site
• The Day of the Dead
• Twentieth Century Fox
• Reel FX Creative Studios
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $50,000,000 (estimated)
• $50,151,543
• $17,005,218
• Oct 19, 2014
• $99,783,556

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 35 minutes
• Dolby Digital

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