I saw this film a week ago on a sunday and I gotta say, it blew away any expectations in the studio Reel FX since they graced our year of 2013 with Free Birds. Yea, that wasn't a good film, but The Book of Life man, is waaaaaaaaaay better. ten times better even. Lets get right to it
Story: it involves these two mexican gods Xibalba and La Muerte who make a bid on these two boys who are in love with the same girl. Xibalba is about to loose the bet and sends a snake to kill Monolo who must now get back to the land of the living to be with the love of his life.
Characters: Unlike the characters in Free Birds, these characters have some great destinction, personality, and design. Monolo (Diego Luna) is a natural born bull fighter who wants nothing more then to play music which his father shuns him away from all in the name of his families herritage. Maria (Zoe Seldana (Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy)) is a women who was sent off to a boarding school where she becomes more independent and not your average mans trophy. Joaquin (Wa-keen) (Channing Tatum (Step Up, 21 Jumpstreet movie) is your typical ladies man who thinks of nothing but himself but shares in a great friendship with Monolo.
Animation: The animation in Free Birds was just dull and very uncolorful, but this film, DAMN this film has an art style all its own. its colorful, creative, dassling, and very mexican. based off the mexican holliday Day of the Dead, the Book of Life is boasting some breathtaking visuals with bright colors and wonderful set pieces that set this film apart from any film of its kind. The characters themselves are well designed to an extent to make them seem like characatures and somewhat resemble marionettes and once again, give the film the right look for it's culture and holliday. No doubt the Director of this film, Jorge R. Gutiérrez, was inspired to recapture this style after working on his award winning Nickelodian series El Tigre, which really shows.
Music: Now, I was really hoping they were going to try for an all mexican kind of soundtrack. while that may not be the case here, they do manage to pull off some rather nice music from both a mexican perspective, but kind of keep us in the flow that this film was indeed made in america and for that, I can respect it. the film's score was done by Gustavo Santaolalla (Babel, Brokeback Mountain) and I think what he gives us is rather good. but where it really shines through is its music numbers. particularly the songs "I love you to much" and the Apoligy song" both of which have Gustavo playing the guitar and sung beautifully by Diego Luna. I implore you to check them out on Youtube. they are wonderful.
All in all, this film gets a 8 out of 10. This film is a giant leap forward for Reel FX and shows that even a turd of a film like Free Birds ( maybe I should call it Free Turds instead XD) can be just a way for the company to learn from their mistakes. go check it out, its a must.
-
Listening to: I love you to much
-
Reading: Journal
-
Watching: Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
-
Playing: Super Smash Bros for the 3DS
-
Eating: HotDog
-
Drinking: Good old H20