DIEGO LUNAAAAA

I want all your thoughts about Maya and the Three as well as The Book of Life (remember I'm Mexican bitch so I reserve EVERYTHING LATINA RIGHT to judge your answer >:3)

*claps hands together* HERE WE GO TIME TO YAP ABOUT THE BEST MOVIE EVER.

I literally grew up watching this movie. My earliest memory is showing it to my best friend at a sleepover when I was like 6.

My entire WORLD as a kid was Book of Life. Got my first phone, what was the first thing in my music library? Book of Life. Every birthday and when I was sick, what would I pick? Book of Life. Hell, I wrote a self-insert as Manolo's older sister who was best friends with Maria and in love with Joaquin(before I figured I was gay, but like...Joaquin)

I DIDNT EVEN REALIZE IT WAS A JUKEBOX MUSICAL

Once I found one of my favorite cover artist Annapantsu's rendition of Can't Help Falling In Love With You, and I thought, "yes, she's seen Book of Life!" Ectasy of Gold? Saw those beer commercials and thought, "Hold up-" I heard Radiohead for the first time and I went, "Wait this was in Book of Life!"

But my God, I as a white person of European descent, adore Dia De Lose Muertos. It is my favorite holiday right after Halloween, because it's my excuse to watch Book Of Life on repeat. I know it entirely by heart, and-although I've now forgotten-I used to scare my sister because I could sing I Love You Too Much and The Apology Song in Spanish, without knowing a lick of the language otherwise. I HAVE A COPY OF A NOVELIZED VERSION OF THE MOVIE, ITS IN SPANISH, AND I UNDERSTAND EVERY WORD.

Okay okay, now onto the actual movie other than my experiences.

This thing is one of the best pieces of media I've consumed in literally forever. While it has certain flaws-pfft what am I saying, IT HAS LITERALLY LIKE ONE MINISCULE FLAW, AND I CANT EVEN PIN IT DOWN.

Im going to treat this as one of my movie reviews, just so I don't make this an entire essay lol

Plot: DUDE, THE PLOT?? it's just-beautiful. Just imagine it for a second, as if you were part of this as a main character like Manolo. You are in love with your best friend-your other best friend is in love with her too. You continue with your life, still in love even after she leaves for finishing school. When she returns you do your best to impress her, despite the fact you're kind of the village loser. You die, and when you get to the afterlife you find out that your love life has been betted on by literal gods, just cause they're bored?? I am shocked Manolo kept his cool as much as he did. And then the freaking bandits?? The battle?? I just fucking love this movie man.

10/10

Music: JUKEBOX MOVIE ALERT!!! Except one-I think two?-songs, everything is from somewhere else. And my gods, the conversion from whatever they used to be into the style of the movie is ASTOUNDING. I completely believed that Creep was supposed to be played on guitar like that. And then I could go on for literal hours about The Apology Song-and most of it would just be screaming in joy. I DON'T UNDERSTAND, IT'S JUST SO GOOD FOR NO REASON?

100/10

Animation: How the hell do I explain this with words? Just look at it yourself.

LOOK AT IT!!! Care and love was put into every single frame and it SHOWS.

10000/10

Writing: I do have to admit that maybe, occasionally, from time to time, rarely, the writing is a little strange. But then when there's real heavy scenes-okay who am I kidding, the writings amazing. Humor, pacing, and everything in between-they made due with what they got, and they left ZERO CRUMBS. JUST LOOK AT THD GRANDMA

Queen. AND THEN THIS FUCKING SCENE I JUST-

"Don't forget me."

Waiter! You forgot my tissues!

Characters: I...cannot stress enough...how much I love everyone in this movie.

Manolo? Peak. He molded what my type would be. Selfless, strong, but allows you to be independent, a complete pathetic cat to his lover. His conflict can be felt by anyone with disapproving guardians, or even those who just had disappointed figures in their life. And Diego Luna???? Fuck. Perfect character right there.

Maria? Badass. Likes to lead a little on, but what girl hasn't? She's the leader's daughter and has a pet pig. Need I say more? And Zoe Saldana fucking smashed the role.

JOAQUIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

I LOVE Joaquin. When I saw Deadpool and Wolverine and my friends pointed out Channing Tatum I went, "JOAQUIIN" and they stared like I was senile. I do honestly believe that he is extremely underrated within this niche Fandom. Just saying, I had an epiphany a few years ago: How did Joaquin feel?

Maria was believed to be dead. Blinded by grief he tells his best friend that it should have been him. I entirely believe that he was the one to return to the tree. To apologize, of course. And what does he find? His best friend, dead. He doesn't have anyone left. Maria comes back, and he can only imagine the pain she's feeling. He hates that General Posada is only thinking of marriage at a time like this.

And if he hadn't been the one to find Manolo? Then it was Carlos. And Joaquin watched as a man he respected carry his best friend's body out of the fog from the lonely dock. Or perhaps Carlos buried him right under the tree, and returned with nothing but grief.

And he completely accepts Manolo and Maria's love! He definitely felt hurt, but I'm sure it took a minute because he was just happy Manolo was alive man. He'll find love, I'm sure he will. He'll get a medal from me, no doubt.

Im simply saying, Joaquin had the most development of everyone in this movie.

La Muerte and Xibalba? Peak on and off married couple. La Muerte is hot as hell, and Xibalba's hilarious. Candlemaker, peak. Carlos, peak. The Mariachi Brothers, peak. Luis, peak. Carmen, peak. Book, peak. Even the detention kids were so incredible!

100/10

Overall movie: This movie has so many layers, and it can be enjoyed by all ages. I have enjoyed it since I first watched it, and I will adore it until I die. I will have this play at my funeral, and all you sick fucks are invited.

100000000000000000000000000000 x infinity/10.

And MAYA AND THE THREE???? UGH. MADRE DE DIOS I WANT TO CRY THIS THING MADE ME SOB.

I heard my dad call me from the living room. It was during COVID so I was a little under the weather. I go to the living room, and he's showing a new release on Netflix: Maya And The Three.

I CRASHED OUT. I was SCREAMING at him, begging him to give me the remote. I almost cried right then and there.

AND THEN I STARTED WATCHING?!?!?!!! AND IM INSTANTLY HIT WITH...ZOE SAL-FUCKING-DANA.

AND THEN...DRUMROLL...

DIEGO LUNAAAAA

(I'm fine guys I swear.)

Guys...this thing reignited something in me. The absolute fabulousness of the entire show screamed "Gutierrez". While no one was bursting into Radiohead this time, I swear my heart gave out from all the absolute nostalgia I was getting, and the new story that was tugging my heartstrings in a direction they had never gone.

(You can only imagine how I felt with that La Muerte Xibalba and Candlemaker cameo lol)

I adored every character, but I feel like one can guess who my favorite was haha...

Hes so pathetically down bad for Maya and I can't blame him one bit. LOOK AT THAT FACE!!! I wanna squish it.

Man his reincarnations are gonna feel that lovestruckness. (*cough,* MANOLO, *cough*)

This entire thing, even with all the deaths, I just adore.

I FELT THAT SCREAM WHEN ZATZ DIED. I FELT THAT SCREAM FROM MAYA DEEP IN MY CORE.

AND THEN THEY BROUGHT BACK THE MISBEGOTTEN SON OF A LEPROUS DONKEY BUT JUST A LIL DIFFERENT I CLOCKED THAT IMMEDIATELY AND SCREAMED.

And, of course the ever popular

Rico, Chimi, Picchu, Lance, Daggers, Shield, Camazotz, Puma princess, Micte, Queen Teca, Chiapa, Apush-I love every single character in this show.

AND THEN ALL THE THREE SYMBOLISMS JUST ARGGH

I can't go on man, I'm either gonna die of euphoria or pass out I have been writing this for almost an hour now. But it was so worth it, and I hope it was worth your time too.

No retreat, no surrender.

I am so behind on my French.