Review: ‘Book of Life’ is a vibrant, fun, animated adventure

Posted on October 24, 2014

By MARK VIOLA

“The Book of Life” is a wonderful, beautifully animated film with a story that doesn’t exactly break new ground, but delivers its message wrapped in package that is different and exciting.

Building off the Mexican holiday, the Day of the Dead, the film tells a story that is one part mythology and one part adventure story, filled with romance, action and wonder.

With so much of the story dealing with death and the hereafter, there are some things you might not expect in an animated film, but the story never dwells on the macabre or grotesque. It’s actually quite an earnest look at how we honor those we’ve lost. To be honest, I had only a cursory knowledge of the Day of the Dead prior to seeing the movie, and found the film an interesting take on a culture and a people not too far from here.

“The Book of Life” is a fun, vibrant animated film with a solid story, beautiful animation and interesting characters. In an already stellar year for animation, this one stacks up quite well and should entertain the entire family.

The film is rated PG for mild action, rude humor, some thematic elements and brief scary images.

(This is a shortened version of the full review available in our printed or e-edition papers.)

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