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Book of Life
- Available on Blu-ray™ 3D, Blu-ray™ and DVD January 27, 2015
- Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
- Run Time: 96 minutes
- Number of discs: 2
- Studio: 20th Century Fox
- ASIN: B00Q5998XK
The Book Of Life is a breathtaking animated comedy with a dazzling visual style unlike anything you’ve seen before. Torn between the expectations of his family and the desires of his heart, a young man named Manolo sets off on an epic quest that spans three spectacular worlds in order to reunite with his one true love and defend his village. Not your ordinary fairy tale, The Book Of Life is a wondrous fantasy-adventure filled with magic, music and fun!
BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES
- The Adventures of Chuy
- Closer Look At The Book of Life
- The Music of Life
- Digital Carpenters: The Art Direction of The Book of Life
- Music Machine
- “No Matter Where You Are” Music Video by Us The Duo
- Audio Commentary by Jorge R. Gutierrez
- Galleries
- Meet the Cast
- Visual Development – Color Keys
- Visual Development – Production Art
- Background Poster-Paintings
- The Final Look
THE BOOK OF LIFE DVD SPECIAL FEATURES
- The Adventures of Chuy
- Music Machine
- Us The Duo Music Video “No Matter Where You Are”
- Audio Commentary by Jorge R. Gutierrez
- Galleries
- Meet the Cast
- Visual Development – Color Keys
- Visual Development – Production Art
- Background Poster-Paintings
- The Final Look
We had a family movie night over the weekend and watched The Book Of Life. This animated movie opens with a class of children reluctantly visiting a museum. The tour guide tells them the story of the Book of Life, specifically the tale of two boys and their competition for the affections of a girl named Maria. There is a bet between La Muerte, ruler of the Land of the Remembered and Xibalba, ruler of the Land of the Forgotten, on which of the boys will marry Maria. Manolo loves to play the guitar, and is expected to grow up to be a bullfighter like the men in his family before him. Joaquin, Manolo’s friend and rival for Maria’s affections, is given the Medal of Eternal Life by Xibalba, which protects him and makes him seem to be an invincible hero to the town.The rivalry between the two adolescent boys is only beginning when Maria is sent away. When she returns many years later they are all entering adulthood. Maria’s father wants her to marry Joaquin, but she loves Manolo. When she and Manolo meet in secret she is bitten by a snake and dies. Xibalba offers Manolo an opportunity to be with his beloved again. When Manolo accepts he is also bitten by the snake and dies.
It is explained to viewers that there are two areas in the afterlife – the Land of the Remembered and the Land of the Forgotten. The now deceased Manolo finds himself in the Land of the Remembered, where he meets all of his ancestors. He learns that Maria is not dead after all, and that according to the Book of Life he shouldn’t be dead yet. He was tricked. He makes his way to the Land of the Forgotten and tells Muerte that Xibalba cheated on the bet. Xibalba offers to bring Manolo back to life if he can face his greatest fear. Manolo arrives back where he belongs just in time to find his town under attack. It is not up to Manolo and Joaquin to do what is right, be themselves, and save the town.
The storyline of this movie is interesting and fun. The graphics in this movie are very bright and colorful. There are lots of fun songs. I’d consider this a great choice for a family movie, safe for family members of all ages.
Here’s the trailer released right before the movie appeared in theaters.
And here’s a couple of printable activity sheets, just click on the image below to open them up in a new tab.
CONNECT
The Book Of Life website – The Book Of Life on Facebook
