The Book of Life

Last tour of the day.

I wonder why nobody wants them.

Bull's-eye.

- Hi, super old guy! - A museum? Again?

I hate stuff.

- Oh, boy. - It's okay, Thomas.

I'll take them.

Are you sure? I think these are the "detention" kids.

Don't you worry. I can handle them.

- You go take your break. - Thanks.

Follow me, kids.

Yo, lady! The museum door is that way.

Yes, it is, but you aren't like the other kids.

Oh, no, no, no. You need to see something special.

Right through that door.

You're seeing things, lady.

Am I? Or are you not seeing things?

Come on.

Now, today is November 2nd. Does anyone here know why that date is important?

- Taco Tuesday! - No.

"Gorge yourself on Halloween candy" day?

Nope. Today is the day of the dead.

Wait. Is that national zombie day or something?

You can't go this way! You will get us both in trouble.

Ancient rules of the... museum administration.

Well, I suppose I could turn a blind eye, my...

Dear.

Behold, children, the glorious beauty of Mexico!

This place is loco.

So many skulls!

At least that part isn't lame.

- What is this book? - That is the book of life.

All the world is made of stories...

and all of those stories are right here.

This book holds many truths.

Some are actually true.

"The battle of cinco de Mayo"?

Mayo! I love Mayo.

And some, not so much.

El chupacabras, the legendary goat sucker?

I have to get one.

Now, although you may doubt some of these stories...

there is one thing that we know for certain.

Mexico is the center of the universe.

And long ago, in the center of Mexico...

was the quaint little town of San Angel.

Churros! Churros!

Frosted churros!

Now, naturally, since San Angel was the center of the universe...

Directly below it lay... the land of the remembered.

A festive and magical place

for those who live on in the memories of their loved ones.

And below that... lies the land of the forgotten.

The sad and lonely destination for those poor souls...

who are no longer remembered.

But before I can properly begin our story...

you need to meet the two magical rulers of these realms.

- Who is that? - That is la muerte.

She is made out of sweet sugar candy.

- She's so pretty. - She is, isn't she?

She loves all mankind and believes that their hearts are pure and true.

And that is Xibalba.

That charming rascal thinks mankind is not so pure, just like him.

He looks spooky.

Yes, he's made out of tar and everything icky in the whole world.

He's so... pretty.

What about the weirdo with the beard-o?

That is the candle maker. He keeps everything in balance.

He's made out of wax and has a beard full of clouds.

Clouds?

All right. Let me show you something else.

All of these wooden figures here...

they represent real people in our story, just like you and me.

And so, our tale begins on the day the people of Mexico call...

The day of the dead.

- No retreat. - No surrender!

On this festive, enchanted day...

families bring food and offerings to the altars of their beloved.

- It's like a hundred birthday parties. - Yes, it is.

And on this particular day of the dead after centuries of being banished...

Xibalba had had enough.

Really, my dear you have no idea how cold and vile

the land of the forgotten has become.

Just like your heart, Xibalba. Just like your heart.

Why must I rule a bleak wasteland

while you enjoy the endless fiesta in the land of the remembered?

It's simply unfair.

- Xibalba! - What? It's his time.

- More or less. - Not today, my love.

Come on, my dear. Trade lands with me. I beg you!

You're so cute when you beg.

- I'm serious. I hate it down there. - Hey. You're there because you cheated!

You made your bed with that wager.

You're not the man I fell in love with all those centuries ago.

Let's not dwell in the past, mi amor.

Anyway, I was thinking...

How about another little wager?

You think you can calm the flames of my anger with another bet?

What exactly did you have in mind?

Let's check out the menu for the evening.

Look there, my love. Classic mortal dilemma.

Two boys. Best friends, no less.

In love with the same girl.

Fear not, señorita. Your hero has arrived!

Is that so?

How dare you interrupt a guitarrista?

- The girl is mine. - Never!

She is mine.

I belong to no one.

I believe we have our wager. Which boy will marry her?

Very well.

We will each choose one of these boys as our champion.

Let's go wish them luck.

- Maria, weren't you grounded? - My father is overreacting.

How was I supposed to know that chickens don't like baths?

Don't worry. He knows a real man is protecting you tonight.

- You're not even close. - But I have a moustache.

Yeah, just like your grandma.

- Maria. - Manolo!

Come, mijo.

Your mother would be so proud of you.

- You think she'll come back tonight? - Carmen is here.

But it's more like...

like a warm feeling you get when loved ones are with you.

All of these families have lost someone. But as long as we remember them...

We can feel their presence with us for one night each year.

I just thought I might see her one more time.

She always smelled like flowers.

I remember her singing.

She was a good woman, that one.

I miss her so much.

Just be still, and you can feel it.

Your mother is here, along with all our ancestors.

As long as we remember them, they are with us.

The moment we forget them, they are truly gone.

I can feel them.

Kind people, may I please have a bit of your bread? I am so hungry.

I'm sure mama would want you to have it. Right, papa?

Thank you, my dear. In return, you have my blessing.

May your heart be always pure and courageous.

- What do we say, Manolo? - Thank you, señora. Thank you.

Manolo. Always giving away stuff for free. Right, dad?

Joaquin's father, captain Mondragon,

had passed away fighting the fearsome bandit known as Chakal.

Who's in there?

Young sir, may I please have some of your bread?

I'm so hungry.

This bread is for my father. And it's delicious.

Well, perhaps you would consider a trade?

An old medal? Please.

This is no ordinary medal, my boy.

As long as you wear it, you cannot be hurt.

And it will give you immeasurable courage.

Really? Deal.

But keep it hidden.

There is a bandit king who would stop at nothing to get it back.

Bandit king? You mean Chakal?

Where did he go?

So, then, if my boy marries the girl...

I will finally rule the land of the remembered.

And if my boy marries the girl, you will...

You will stop interfering with the affairs of man!

What?

I can't do that! Come on. It's the only fun I ever get!

Then the bet is off.

Very well, my dear. By the ancient rules...

The wager is set.

And, so, the greatest wager in history began.

Manolo versus joaquin for the hand of Maria.

Wait. So these ancient gods picked three little kids to...

Represent the whole world?

- Yeah. Pretty crazy, right? - Yeah! Keep going, lady.

You're so cute.

Oh, no. Not on my watch.

We have to free the animals!

Come on, you guys! Let's do this!

- Yeah! - Hold on, Maria. Don't!

People of San Angel, please! I beg you.

After the revolution...

We need more volunteers to join this mighty brigade!

A heroic brigade to protect us from Chakal.

Chakal is here!

Freedom!

Maria, what have you done now?

Freedom is coming through!

Stop!

Oh, no!

Oh, dear.

- No retreat. - No surrender.

He has the gift.

Great form, mijo.

That's my son!

- Thank you, Manolo. - Gracias

Oh, my. What did I miss?

You okay, sir?

- You have saved my life. - And I...

Quiet, boy. I'm talking.

- But I... - Quiet.

That girl is in so much trouble!

Maria!