"Book of Life": reviews of the cartoon

This animated ribbon with elements of fantasy came out relatively recently - in 2014. And already had time to collect laudatory reviews of the audience. It is especially gratifying to see that most of them are in solidarity with the opinion that it is the best of its kind. What is the "Book of Life?" The cartoon tells an incredible love story that occurred against the background of the annual celebration of the Day of the Dead. Agree, a bit unusual. But the more interesting. And although the action takes place in Mexico, the production of the picture was handled by Hollywood. What attracted the "Book of Life?" Cartoon, its success and features will be the main theme of our article. Particular attention will be paid to the audience's reviews and reviews of film critics.

Features of creation

After viewing the trailer in the minds of each viewer, first impressions are born. This cartoon will seem unusual. Painted heroes, somehow resemble the characters of Tim Burton from his "Frankenwini" and "Corpse bride." For memory comes "Carolina in the land of nightmares" and "The Secret of Kells". But nothing in common with these films in this case. And, of course, the Russian audience is hardly familiar with the work of Jorge R. Gutierrez. The "Book of Life" was a great opportunity to declare himself, a cartoon film in which he participated as a screenwriter and director. It turned out or not, we'll see next.

For the promotion of the picture took Guillermo del Toro, who does not agree to questionable projects. The peculiarity of the "Books" was computer animation, which is essentially different from the visual solution of most other cartoons. The creators chose exactly the direction in which the "Book of Life" was developed. Reviews of the audience said that the cartoon did not lose in the least. On the contrary, watching these characters was exciting and spectacular.

Features of the plot

Many viewers watching the cartoon note that they were intrigued by the narrative, which includes two stories. They occur parallel to each other, but are necessarily interrelated. Moreover, this was the link of the final denouement. So, what is the "Book of Life?" The cartoon tells about the traditions observed in Mexico, where the action takes place. Christian worship intersects here with faith in spirits. A group of children listens with interest to the museum guide, revealing a veil of secrets and myths. Two gods, Katrina and Shibalba, guide the Kingdom of Forgotten and the Kingdom of the Forgotten. Their dispute begins on the Day of the Dead. Joaquin and Manolo, two best friends, are madly in love with Mary. On the fragile shoulders of the girl is the responsibility: if she chooses Manolo, Shibalba will leave the living world alone, and if Joaquin chooses, then he will get the kingdom of the Forgotten. The gods descend to the earth, take the appearance of people, and give parting words to their wards. In their struggle for the right to own worlds, each of them uses his own means, fueling the war between Manolo and Joaquin. Will true friends keep their relationship? Who will give in to Maria for the happiness of another?

Now the cartoon "The Book of Life" in Russian can be found in free access on many online portals. The story of friendship and love was released on October 3, 2014. Russia saw it a little later, in February 2015.

The basis is real mythology

Before proceeding to analyze the impressions received from the review, it should be said that the authors turned to the real legend, which is known throughout Mexico. Without this legend, the Book of Life would not have taken place. The cartoon refers to the Aztec mythology and the two lords of the world of the dead, who in this interpretation are represented by Shibalba and Katrina. Their cult, called the Holy death, is preserved in modern Mexico, hence the celebration of the Day of the Dead. Often both characters are represented as a whole. In the "Book of Life" they rule separately, however, attentive viewers will find evidence that sometime, many centuries ago, they were together. This, in particular, says that Shibalba and Katrina still love each other.

The key to success is good ingredients

Working on the project, the creators placed great hopes on him. Time will tell how successful the "Book of Life" will turn out. Reviews about it in the majority are reduced to two obvious facts, which affected success: musical accompaniment and the actors' play.

Famous Mexican dancer and musician Diego Luna voiced one of the main characters - Manolo. However, he wrote a number of tracks that were included in the soundtrack of the cartoon. This included original songs and folk tunes. A separate disk was released in the fall of 2014.

Despite the fact that Mexico was chosen as a place for the development of the plot, work on the creation of the "Book of Life" was conducted at American film studios. Here they chose those who will enter the cast of actors who will present their stellar voices to the heroes. All selected artists gladly agreed to participate in the cartoon "The Book of Life". Reviews of American viewers unanimously spoke about harmonious dubbing, which gave him color. The stars include Zoe Saldana, Channing Tatum, Ron Perlman, Christina Applegate, Ice Cube and other celebrities. In the Russian version, the dubbing turned out to be no less spectacular - foreign colleagues voiced Anna Denisova, Sergei Chikhachev and others.

Overall Rating

Under the popular rule, the rating of the film is tracked on the site Rotten Tomatoes. 82% of positive votes deserved a cartoon "The Book of Life." Comments and assessments of the audience mostly spoke of him as a kind, warm cartoon that raises age-old questions. This, of course, allowed the creators of the Book of Life to judge its apparent success.

Confirmation of this are the cash indicators. With a budget of 50 million, the fees in the world exceeded costs by half.

A new wave of Mexican cinema

Undoubtedly, this should be reassured. Mexican cinema successfully marches through theaters around the world. Moreover, spreading its influence on the animation. This story, rooted in the tradition of the Mexican people, has long been expected in many ways. This is due to her successful debut with which the "Book of Life" started. The cartoon is the anthem of the Day of the Dead, which infrequently happens in animation, except for the same Tim Burton and his "Bride's Corpse." The relations of the world of the living and the dead have found their audience recognition. This may not be such a simple topic for research, but it certainly suited taste. The rulers of the afterlife, the wives of Shibalba and Katrina, are storytellers of the story and the same key characters as Maria, Joaquin and Manolo; They enter into a dispute over the heart of a poor girl. Intrigue and such an expected continuation, according to the viewers, is the dishonesty of one of them - in order to get ahead of the spouse, Shibalba deceives his ward.

The problem of the living and the dead

The Forgotten Realm and the Kingdom of the Forgotten are the original spheres of the universe, which after viewing the cartoon seem quite obvious. They expand the boundaries of the usual paradise and hell, pointing to the place where the deceased relatives can go. Such an unusual combination of such delicate aspects, to the surprise of critics, naturally absorbed the "Book of Life". Reviews of the film are often referred to as death issues more serious than sexual education, about which the pictures are shot much more often. Some critics suggest that viewing the "Books of Life" family - both children and adults will find that for themselves to draw from the film. The main task remains to realize the fact that the dead are always somewhere near us. Maintain the memory of them - everyday work for living people, which can equally bring disappointment and joy.

About death it is necessary to speak openly

In support of the idea of a general family viewing, we should add that the screen narrative directly transfers the protagonist to the world of the dead, where he, armed with the support of his ancestors, does not give in the battle for the heart of his beloved girl. In order to talk with children about death, the "Book of Life" will help you. A cartoon, the reviews of which many viewers boil down to the view that a dramatic and mostly tragic mood better promotes understanding of issues relating to the world of the living and the dead. So, next to people in the film there are mystical creatures and essences, revived dead and animals, with which the main characters feel themselves naturally. Cartoon "The Book of Life", testimonials to this confirmation, managed to show romance and humor, mysticism and philosophy, unfolding throughout its entire length. All these components are connected in the original plexus, different from the familiar canons of the animation genre, which, for example, use Disney tapes.

To help understanding - "toy" aesthetics

By themselves, the questions of life and death seem heavy even in an animated embodiment. Therefore, the creators pay special attention to the visualization of the image by creating a special style that permeates the whole "Book of Life". Cartoon (reviews of it confirm this) offers the viewer to soften the depressing mood with the help of carved wooden puppet toys telling about their love experiences. Spectators will enjoy the big-eyed Maria, the romantic musician-matador Manolo and the warrior Joaquin, who adorned himself with numerous medals. The world around us is created from the same "test" - a silent manual guinea pig, which became the prototype of the best friend as well as the technically difficult bulls, reminiscent of the handmade artisan craftsman.

With death, do not joke, joke about death

Most of the drawn characters correspond to the usual humor for them. At one time, each of them, whether Shrek, Megamind or Lightning McQueen from "Wheelbarrows", let go of jokes, according to which the audience singled out their pets. How are things with the cartoon "The Book of Life"? Reviews of the film often define the theme of subtle humor as one of the components of the success of the "Book", given its gloomy noir-shade. And although it is unlikely that Joaquin, Maria, Manolo, as well as Katrina or Shibalba, can be called real cartoons, "The Book of Life" does not view death as a taboo or veiled theme. On the contrary, the film is full of jokes about the dead, and the Day of the Dead is ranked as a public holiday, as if proving that there should be no respect for mourning. A look at things often contains a pragmatic or cynical overtones that any of the heroes, like the feeble old lady in his memories of the past, would like to voice.

Key aspects of the study

Choosing far from the child's research topic, the creators of the "Book" were simply obligated as accurately as possible to prescribe storylines, and completely deprive it of all senselessness, which has the chances to scare away from viewing. The motivated behavior of all the characters without exception, the actions of which are important for life postulates, was the key point on which the "Book of Life" relied. Reviews about the cartoon unanimously prove that this tape, recommended for any audience, covers a wide range of teachings and instructions addressed, probably, to adults and children. Here you can find respect for the elders and preserve the memory of the deceased, meet the courage and self-sacrifice that some characters are willing to share at the cost of their own well-being. In all respects, Manolo is positive. What helps Maria to make a choice in his favor? Strong character traits, kindness, mercy and great love do not fail not only in "fighting" with a friend of Joaquin, but also in front of the barriers committed by Shibalba. It is important that such lectures are presented in an unobtrusive form that does not require any deep reflection, and therefore, are accessible to understanding even by small spectators without harming their child's psyche.

A happy message hides behind a happy end

Of course, the viewers, who have yet to see, in the end is sure to expect a happy ending. Despite the fact that the love triangle of the main characters implies for someone the opposite outcome. And those who have already seen the cartoon, for a while, enjoyed the aftertaste, because this other interesting story could not be left.

What did the "Book of Life" remember? Reviews about the cartoon tend to the fact that this is the most accurate and correct example of understanding the issues of life and death. The direction of the picture boils down to this, raising the question wisely and colorfully. What are the Forgotten and Forgotten worlds? In the "Book" this is understandable and intelligently explained. As well as the fact that a person who finds himself in the Forgotten Realm need not necessarily be a negative character or commit a bad deed. On the contrary, a good person can also get into the gloomy World of Forgotten. What should I do to avoid this? What should be done so that the departed people do not feel forgotten? About all this, and will tell the "Book of Life."

All the delights of the Mexican spirit in one bottle

When and where else will such an amazing opportunity to touch the color of the life of a distant southern country fall? Juicy colors, musical accompaniment and humor, bullfighting and incendiary dances, the semantic load and philosophical tunes - all this combined the "Book of Life", cartoon, reviews of which it is called one of the bright animation samples of 2015, worthy, at least, nomination for "Oscar"!

Write your story yourself

You can indefinitely and deservedly praise the film. Given the complexity of the subjects under study and the unusual animation of wooden characters, it is worth recommending this project to those who are ready to step over the stories about magical love and magical fairies that save humanity. Only man can save himself. And also faith, love and the absence of fear for such a concept as death. The "book of life" shows that death is not the end.

Paradoxical, unpredictable, unexpected and charming - this turned out to be the "Book of Life". Cartoon (photo attached), which rightfully should be called the creative find of an unremarkable Mexican director, harmoniously balances on the verge between the festive colors of everyday life and the illusiveness of those places where everyday life is expressed in a more unusual nebula.