After headlining the decidedly un-PG flick “22 Jump Street” last June, Channing Tatum is back with an animated love story, “The Book of Life,” that might prove to be a better viewing option for his one-year-old daughter.
However, is the Jorge Gutierrez-directed, Guillermo del Toro-produced musical comedy worth the price of admission? Find out what the critics have to say below:
A Love Story
“Manolo (voiced by Diego Luna) yearns to be a musician, but hails from a legendary line of bullfighters. He’s in love with the independent Maria (Zoe Saldana), but so is Joaquin (Channing Tatum), a soldier obsessed with his medals (and his mustache). Above it all, La Muerte and Xibalba, skeletal spirits from the afterlife, wager over who will win Maria’s heart.
“For a kiddie flick, ‘The Book of Life’ pushes boundaries, as the topic of death is undeniably front and center. But like Mexico’s Day of the Dead, the movie enjoyably, and successfully, mixes the macabre with the celebratory.” — Jordan Hoffman, Daily News
A Visual Delight
“Produced by Guillermo del Toro, ‘The Book of Life’ is a winsome ode to Mexico’s Day of the Dead. It’s bolstered by a giddy voice cast (including Diego Luna and Zoe Saldana) that elevates the formulaic plot about a hero’s quest for true love, and it’s that rare gem of a ‘toon that delights both child and adult. Overflowing with hyperactive charm and a spectacular sea of colors, it showcases some of the most breathtaking animation we’ve seen this decade.” — Marc Snetiker, Entertainment Weekly
A Memorable Musical
“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.” — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter
A Win For The Ladies
“If the idea of two men fighting over a pretty lady seems a bit retrograde in the post-’Frozen’ era of animation, Gutierrez and co-writer Doug Langdale make it clear that Maria is no shrinking violet. She’s the one in control — despite her father’s clear preference for Joaquin, if only to help save the city from rampaging metal-encased monster Chakal (Dan Navarro). Imbued with an inner fire thanks to Saldana’s impassioned vocal turn, Maria also stands strong for her pet cause (literally, she loves animals and adopts a pig about to be slaughtered) and proves capable of inspiring the townspeople with stirring rhetoric at pivotal moments.” — Geoff Berkshire, Variety
“The Book of Life” is open now.
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