alfredofroylan
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What's the Book of Life?
The Book of Life is an upcoming american animated film produced by Reel FX Creative Studios and distributed by 20th Century Fox. Directed by Jorge Gutierrez (Mucha Lucha, Chalkzone, the Buzz on Maggie, El Tigre), the film stars the voices of Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana, and Channing Tatum, also Christina Applegate, Ice Cube, Ron Perlman, and Kate del Castillo. It is scheduled to be theatrically released on October 17, 2014.
Wait, What's this thing with mexicans celebrating death?
Day of the Death (Día de Muertos) it's a national holiday in Mexico and some partes of latinamerica. The celebration takes place on October 31, November 1 and November 2, in this date our ancestors come from the other world to visit us, so we celebrate this date by visting the cementary, building altars with the favorite food and drinks of the deceased. Some traditional elements from this day include but are not limited to sugar skulls, marigolds, pumpkin and camote candies and rugs made with flowers and wood rust.
The Story
Manolo is in love with the beautiful Maria, yet having to battle with the affections of the charming Joaquin, to win her heart, the spirits La Muerte and Xibalba bet on who will win Maria. Xibalba sends a snake to kill Manolo, hoping that will result in Joaquin becoming Maria's lover. Manolo awakes in the Realm of the remember; in order to return to the human world and to Maria, Manolo embarks on an incredible journey that spans three fantastical worlds where he must face his greatest fears armed with only his wits, his guitar, and his two swords.
Characters
Manolo
Voiced by Diego Luna is a matador (BTW bullfigthing is not nearly as popular in Mexico as it was 100 years ago), as a side note he looks like the current mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto. After his death he has to travel trought the land of the forgotten to return to Maria.
Maria and Chuy
Maria (voiced by Zoe Saldana) is an independent strong woman and she is the center of Joaquin and Manolo's atttentions, but she's too busy trying to defend her land from some bandits. Chuy is a pig, it was a gift from Manolo and follows Maria everywhere.
Joaquin
Joaquin (Voiced by Channing Tatun) is Manolo's best friend and rival, he uses a traditional militar uniform from the XIX century and is the town's hero due his moustache and medals. He's quite arrogant but not a bad guy at all
Xibalba
Voiced by Ron Pearlaman, Xilbalba is not a character but a place in the Mayan underworld ruled by 12 gods, it's a dark and scary place. But in the movie Xilbalba is Catrina's ex..... and he's at charge of the Land of the Forgotten a gray and sad place for lost souls.
La muerte/ La Flaca / La Catrina / La negra / La huesuda
Loved by all and voiced by Kate del Castillo, she's at charge of the Land of the remember, a colorful place where the spirits of all the people that are still remembered in Earth "live" .... or something. Anyway She's a nice sweet lady (mostly because she's made of sugar) and helps Manolo on his quest. La catrina was created by José Guadalupe Posada (one of the most famous mexican printmakers) and she's the icon that represents Day of the Dead.
Reviews so far
The Wrap
I wish the songs by Gustavo Santaolalla (whose score is just right) were more memorable, and that the film didn't lead up to the requisite third act Big Fight that so many cartoons obligatorily provide, but “The Book of Life” manages to be genuinely surprising and engrossing. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” may have October 31 and December 25 on lockdown, but now November 2 gets its own cartoon that both kids and parents will want to revisit every year.
Variety
“The Book of Life” also marks the most significant role yet for filmmaker Guillermo del Toro in an animated project. A frequent consultant and executive producer for DreamWorks Animation (where Gutierrez originally had this film set up, before creative differences led him elsewhere), Del Toro was clearly a hands-on creative producer here, bolstering the visual aesthetic of a production that can more comfortably introduce a younger generation to his darkly fanciful sensibilities. There would certainly be cause for excitement should Del Toro follow in the footsteps of fellow live-action visionary Tim Burton and helm his own animated feature.
Hollywood Reporter
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 inhabitants who are made of wood (Tatum's Joaquin is 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.
The Upcomming 4/5
Reaaladvice 4/5