The Book of Life
Dir: Jorge Gutierrez
2014
****
Jorge Gutierrez's beautifully vibrant animation brings Mexican mythology to life and goes some way in dispelling many misconceptions. I absolutely hated the way the story was introduced through the eyes of a group of troublesome misfits who are taken to a museum as punishment though. I saw this as a misguided way of introducing and closing the film and something the overall film would benefit from loosing in a later cut. However, my first thoughts that the film was cashing in on the current interest in Sugar Skulls and the Day of the Dead in general was quashed when the history of the festival was beautifully explained. My only criticism is that it seems to have been made with only an American audience in mind. The script and story never quite match the brilliance of the visuals but there is a tenderness to the story throughout, even if the humour doesn't always hit the right chord. That said, it is fairly funny throughout and will give the kids something to think about for a change rather than be just colour and movement. The ending is not quite what you'd expect from a kids film or a Hollywood film in general abut something it should be congratulated for. You just know that Jorge Gutierrez had to let a few things go for the sake of the studio but I believe the integrity of the original story still shines through. A pleasant change of direction from most animated children's films.