When El Libro de la Vida hit theaters in 2014, audiences were dazzled by the wooden, puppet-like stop-motion animation and the explosion of color from the Land of the Remembered. But while the visuals were a feast for the eyes, the film’s soul lives in its soundtrack.
Here is why the musica of this film deserves a standing ovation. At first glance, the tracklist looks like a quirky Spotify playlist from 2014: Radiohead’s “Creep,” Mumford & Sons’ “I Will Wait,” and Biz Markie’s “Just a Friend.” But these aren’t random karaoke choices. el libro de la vida musica
Stream the soundtrack immediately. Just try not to cry when you hear the strings swell during "Remember Me" (wait, wrong Pixar film—but you get the idea). Viva El Libro de la Vida . Have you listened to the Spanish-language versions of these songs? They feature Diego Luna and a whole different emotional texture. Let me know in the comments! When El Libro de la Vida hit theaters
Santaolalla also composed (dedicated to Manolo’s bull, Pepe). It is a perfect little fable set to a waltz, teaching that true bravery is mercy. Cheech Marin and the Mariachi Connection The film's framing device features three kids in a museum listening to a guide played by Christina Applegate. But the soul of the narrative is voiced by the Los Angeles Mariachi ensemble, particularly the comedic relief from Cheech Marin (as Pancho the bus driver) and the musical stylings of the actual mariachi band. At first glance, the tracklist looks like a
His original score does something brilliant: it treats the Land of the Remembered with bright, major-key ronroco strums, while the Land of the Forgotten is terrifyingly silent. The lack of music in the forgotten realm is the saddest effect of the film—a place where no one sings is a place that doesn't exist.