New Clip and Featurettes for THE BOOK OF LIFE

The Guillermo del Toro-produced, Jorge Gutierrez-directed The Book of Life looks really charming. If you don’t believe me, you can watch a clip from the movie as well as a couple of character featurettes. The first featurette is called “Heart of a Hero” and focuses on Manolo, the main character, who is voiced by Diego Luna. Luna is himself very charming. By the time he says, “His only strength is love,” you’re going to be ready to kiss him. I don’t know what Maria’s deal is. But Zoe Saldana, who voiced Maria, can explain in the second featurette, titled “Damsel Not in Distress.” Maria seems like exactly the kind of character Saldana loves to play — tough and challenging, but surprisingly soft-hearted.

The clip is called “Land of the Remembered” and features Manolo’s entrance into, well, the land of the remembered. It seems like a nice place, but I’d rather not visit.

The Book of Life also stars Channing Tatum, and it opens on October 17 (USA). I am hoping I can talk my toddler into seeing it (he chickened out of The Boxtrolls), or I might have to get a babysitter.

From producer Guillermo del Toro and director Jorge Gutierrez comes an animated comedy with a unique visual style. THE BOOK OF LIFE is 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 BOOK OF LIFE encourages us to celebrate the past while looking forward to the future.