The Book of Life
The Book of Life

The Book of Life

2014Movie95 minEnglish

The journey of Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. Before choosing which path to follow, he embarks on an incredible adventure that spans fantastical worlds where he must face his greatest fears.

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Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes83%
Metacritic63/100
Google Users85%
Director: Jorge R. GutiérrezGenres: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical

Plot Summary

Manolo, a bullfighter who shatters the expectations of his family, embarks on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds. He must face his greatest fears in order to decide whether to fulfill his family's destiny or follow his own heart. With the help of the spirits of the Land of the Remembered and the Land of the Forgotten, he must choose between his love for Maria and his bullfighting legacy.

Critical Reception

The Book of Life received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its vibrant animation style, musical numbers, and heartfelt story. Audiences also responded well to its unique cultural representation and humor, though some found the plot slightly predictable.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stunning, colorful animation and unique visual style.
  • Commended for its engaging blend of humor, romance, and musical numbers.
  • Appreciated for its celebration of Mexican culture and the Day of the Dead.

Google audience: Google users largely enjoyed 'The Book of Life,' highlighting its beautiful animation, fun songs, and emotional storytelling. Many found it to be a delightful and culturally rich film suitable for the whole family.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for an Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Music in an Animated Feature Production.

Fun Fact

The film's director, Jorge R. Gutiérrez, initially conceived the story as a live-action film before realizing animation was the best medium to bring its vibrant, supernatural world to life.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

The big eyes and the slightly cardboard-box style of animation is really quite engaging as we follow the tale of "Manolo". He's an excitable young man who finds himself torn between staying home and living the life his family want him to, a...