The Book of Life 2014

Laura Emerick, Chicago Sun-Times: 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. Read more

Sara Stewart, New York Post: Almost (but not quite) makes up in visuals what it lacks in snappy dialogue. Read more

Geoff Berkshire, Variety: A lively animated tale that mixes age-old myths with today's toon tropes. But what lovely visuals they are. Read more

Katie Rife, AV Club: The characters move around in a thoroughly realized universe full of imaginative and beautifully rendered detail. Read more

Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: A visually stunning, funny movie that trusts children to deal with subject matter that many films don't: specifically, death. Read more

Tom Russo, Boston Globe: Other aspects of the story might be conventional, but the atmospheric visuals aren't. Read more

Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader: This Pixar knockoff from 20th Century Fox is more imaginative than most, though like far too many of them, it's undone by a surfeit of glib one-liners and pop culture references. Read more

Nancy Churnin, Dallas Morning News: It isn't easy to stand out in a crowded animation field, but Dallas' Reel FX has done it with The Book of Life, one of the best animated films so far this year. Read more

Maricar Estrella, Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com: The Book of Life's meticulous, eye-popping visuals alone would be reason enough to upgrade to a 3-D seat. But once you hear the inspired renditions of Radiohead's Creep and Biz Markie's Just a Friend...you will be hooked on this tongue-in-cheek tale. Read more

Marc Snetiker, Entertainment Weekly: Overflowing with hyperactive charm and a spectacular sea of colors, it showcases some of the most breathtaking animation we've seen this decade. Read more

Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter: A visually stunning effort that makes up for its formulaic storyline with an enchanting atmosphere that sweeps you into its fantastical world, or in this case, three worlds. Read more

Charles Solomon, Los Angeles Times: "The Book of Life" juxtaposes overwrought visual imagery with an undernourished, familiar story - regrettable flaws in one of the few animated films to focus on Latino characters and the rich heritage of Mexican folk culture. Read more

Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News: Without a doubt, it is one of 2014's best animated films; a holiday delight that exuberantly bursts at the seams with irresistible cultural pride. Read more

Frank Lovece, Newsday: Funny without being frantic, seamlessly switching from dry humor to slapstick, it shows death as a part of life -- and, judging from a preview audience of very young tykes, does so in a gentle, delightful way. Read more

Jordan Hoffman, New York Daily News: Like Mexico's Day of the Dead, the movie enjoyably, and successfully, mixes the macabre with the celebratory. Read more

Manohla Dargis, New York Times: This often beautiful and too-often moribund, if exhaustingly frenetic, feature tends to be less energetic than the dead people waltzing through it. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: The Book of Life moves breezily from one scene to the next, keeping the pace brisk and rarely skipping a beat. Read more

Michael Ordona, San Francisco Chronicle: The vibrant animated feature "The Book of Life" is a cheeky celebration of Mexican folklore with a solid cast, an irreverent sensibility and gorgeous visuals. Read more

Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "The Book of Life" is a flawed but intriguing new chapter in animation. Read more

Bruce Demara, Toronto Star: A joyful, energetic but unconventional 3-D animated adventure with a distinct Latino flavour. Read more

Alonso Duralde, TheWrap: A visual feast in every frame. Read more

Trevor Johnston, Time Out: Not dissimilar in merrily ghoulish spirit to 'The Nightmare Before Christmas', it's hugely entertaining. Read more

Claudia Puig, USA Today: The dizzying, intricate imagery is so beautiful, and the Latin-inspired songs catchy enough that the overall effect is often enchanting. Read more

Simon Abrams, Village Voice: The Book of Life's hackneyed stock plot preaches tolerance while lamely reinforcing the status quo. Read more

Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine/Vulture: Such a crowded, colorful, more-is-not-nearly-enough aesthetic could easily have felt garish and confusing. But for some reason, it doesn't. Read more

Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post: "The Book of Life" may use state-of-the-art animation, but it derives its strength from the wisdom of antiquity. It only looks new, but it's as old as life (and death) itself. Read more