The Book of Life walked so Coco could run. As Jorge R. Gutierrez’s 2014 animated film celebrates its 10 year release date anniversary, I felt it was necessary to give a shout-out to one of my personal favorite fall rewatches. Alright, it might be controversial, but, The Book of Life is a staple in my most enjoyable childhood movie night memories. From the creative and colorful animation style to its talented cast (featuring the likes of Diego Luna, Channing Tatum, and Zoe Saldaña), this project is definitely a personal fall classic. Hilarious, entertaining, and inspired by the traditional Mexican belief of afterlife, The Book of Life follows the dynamic journey of Manolo, a young man conflicted between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. While deciding which path to choose, he embarks on incredible adventures that encompass three fantastical worlds where he must face his greatest fears. Although somewhat cliche with its love triangle and “follow your heart” moral, I can’t lie that “cheesy” content has the potential to be good; I had a ton of fun rewatching! I didn’t think hearing “Creep” in a kids movie was something I needed to experience until I watched this. Overall, if you’re interested in animated movies or just nostalgic movie fun in general, check out The Book of Life. Happy Fall! 🍁
