The idea of a film exploring a culture that does not often—or ever—get explored in studio-released animated features is appealing and admirable. It's too bad, then, that the final outcome isn't livelier and more confidently written. Reminding of a less-inspired variant of 1997's "Hercules," "The Book of Life" features familiar character types in a story that wears itself down in exposition. The computer animation is exceptional and the Mexican-flavored soundtrack of recognizable pop-rock tunes fun, but otherwise there is little on screen about which to get excited. The moment the movie is over, the memory of it begins to hastily evaporate.
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