This Mexican fiesta of animated splendor is packed with visual delights far more sunny than sinister as they burst forth as if flung from an over-packed piñata.
Though visually eye-popping, where The Book of Life shines is in the unique way it presents the themes we see in all family films; the importance of family and being true to yourself.
Whether en ingles o en espanol, The Book of Life is a delight. In an animated universe cluttered with kung-fu pandas, ice princesses and video-game heroes, Gutierrez and del Toro have conjured up an original vision.
The Mexi-centricity is novel and welcome, as is the flirtation with morbidness, but the film overall is filled with the usual trademarks of sub-Pixar animation: glib one-liners, anachronistic pop-culture references, and inspirational cliches.
