“THE BOOK OF LIFE” FLIPS THROUGH THE PAGES OF FRIENDSHIP, TRUE LOVE AND STRONG FAMILY VALUES

Reel FX Animation and 20^th Century Fox open the pages of “The Book of Life” and present a grand mythology set in visually spectacular worlds never seen before. The film brings together director Jorge R. Gutierrez’s unique visual style and a crowd-pleasing mix of adventure, action, comedy, romance and music with a voice cast as lively as their animated characters – Channing Tatum, Zoe Saldana, Christina Applegate, Diego Luna,  Ice Cube, Ron Perlman and Hector Elizondo. 

“The Book of Life,” a vibrant animated fantasy-adventure, tells the legend of Manolo (Luna), a conflicted hero and dreamer who sets off on an epic quest through magical, mythical and wondrous worlds in order to reunite with his one true love Maria (Saldana) and defend his village.   But Manolo and his equally courageous best friend Joaquin (Tatum)are not your typical Prince Charmings; the object of their affections is far from being your average princess; and “The Book of Life” is a fairy tale that doesn’t go by the book.

Its journey to the big screen began with, appropriately enough, a friendship.  Producer Brad Booker, a Reel FX development executive, had known Gutierrez (known for the multiple Emmy and Annie winning series “El Tigre, The Adventures of Manny Rivera” for Nickelodeon which he created with his wife) for over a decade, and after hearing of the project, Booker believed Reel FX would be a great home for it.  The independent animation studio knew that the film needed the perfect creative partner to help guide its path and development.  Gutierrez’s first choice: legendary director, producer and author Guillermo del Toro, who like Gutierrez hails from Mexico.  Gutierrez felt del Toro’s authentic perspective and unique aesthetic sensibility were a perfect match for the film. 

 Del Toro was equally impressed by Gutierrez’s passion for what would become “The Book of Life.”  “Jorge is his movie,” he says, “and the movie is an imprint of his personality.  Jorge’s ideas for “The Book of Life” started with his connection to his homeland of Mexico, and presenting an exciting, never-before-experienced depiction of that country, its people and its traditions – all in a way that would be accessible to audiences around the world.” 

Adds producer Brad Booker:  “Guillermo brings an authenticity and passion for this world and story.  He’s a visionary filmmaker and has been tremendously supportive of Jorge’s ideas.”  “The Book of Life” brings together Gutierrez’s perspective of his native country with a story to which everyone can relate.  He explains:  “This is a very personal movie. The inspiration comes from my family history and childhood experiences.”

Still, Gutierrez admits he embellished some elements.  “My grandfather Luis used to tell me, ‘Jorgito, don’t ever let the truth get in the way of a good story!’  And that was the moment I fell in love with storytelling.”  Gutierrez’s passion for the story, characters and their world points to the film’s broad appeal.  “If you’re telling a story and want it be universal, then you have to be specific,” del Toro explains.  “If the filmmaker loves the story and characters, then audiences will love it.  And if a filmmaker feels it’s powerful, more people will love the story he or she is telling because it’s powerful.  And that’s exactly what Jorge has done with “The Book of Life.” 

“The Book of Life” opens October 16 in cinemas (2D and 3D) nationwide from 20^th Century Fox thru Warner Bros.

Engaging Breakthrough Visuals and Story in “THE BOOK OF LIFE”

From the studio (20^th Century Fox) that introduced the exhilarating world of “Avatar” comes “The Book of Life,” an animated feature film with an epic mythology inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday set in a visually spectacular world never seen before with an original story from producer Guillermo Del Toro and director Jorge R. Gutierrez.  Both of Mexican descent, Del Toro and Gutierrez are compleat filmmakers who wanted to share the richness of their culture to the world by creating an authentic Mexican story at the backdrop of a revolutionary style in animation.

 Watch the movie’s initial video of the cast here:

 

                “The Book of Life” is also Jorge’s (the director’s) love letter to his native land that is an emotionally engaging, emotional and original story with comedy, love, action and adventure featuring a star-studded voice cast including Channing Tatum, Zoe Saldana, Diego Luna, Ron Perlman, Ice Cube, Danny Trejo and Christina Applegate. Two-time Academy Award-winner and Grammy winner music producer Gustavo Santaolalla, who won Oscars for “Brokeback Mountain” and “Babel” writes the film’s original score and songs.  

                The ultimate celebration of life, “The Book of Life” is the journey of Manolo (Luna), a young man who embarks on an incredible adventure that spans three fantastical worlds where he must face his greatest fears.  Torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart, Manolo finds himself at a a time when spirits pass between worlds and where anything can happen.

               

                “The Book of Life” (3D) opens October 16 in cinemas nationwide from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

               

“THE BOOK OF LIFE” Poster Reveal

Producer Guillermo Del Torro and director Jorge Gutierrez push the boundaries of animation in the upcoming “The Book of Life” where three childhood friends Manolo (Diego Luna), Joaquin (Channing Tatum) and Maria (Zoe Saldana) take on their most important journey within an enthralling landscape and larger-than-life visuals.  

As the story unfolds, all the world is made of stories but the greatest story begins in “The Book of Life,” the day when spirits pass between worlds and anything can happen.  “The Book of Life” sees the journey of Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. Before choosing which path to follow, he embarks on an incredible adventure that spans three fantastical worlds where he must face his greatest fears. Rich with a fresh take on pop music favorites, the movie encourages us to celebrate the past while looking forward to the future.

                Check out this cool poster of “The Book of Life” as it opens us up to a stunning world created with rich details in a powerful story that celebrates life and the after-life. 

                “The Book of Life” (3D) opens October 16 in theatres nationwide (Philippines) from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.