20th Century Fox has released the first The Book of Life trailer.  Inspired the Mexican holiday "Day of the Dead", the film revolves around three childhood friends—Manolo (Diego Luna), Maria (Zoe Saldana), and Joaquin (Channing Tatum)—who find themselves in a love triangle as the gods wager on who will win Maria’s heart.  While the story of the gods interfering with the lives and loves of mortals is one of the oldest tales in human history, it's refreshing to see a feature that pulls from Mexican mythology.  Equally appealing is the unique visual style of the film.  I'm sure there's a proper term for it, but characters and settings already feel 3D in a 2D viewing experience.  They seem carved, or crafted from papier mache, more reminiscent of games like "Little Big Planet" than anything we've seen in the animated world lately.  A gorgeous, eye-catching, and colorful introduction to this bold take on Dia de los Muertos.

Hit the jump to check out The Book of Life trailer, and click here to see the teaser poster.  The film also features the voices of Hector Elizondo, Danny Trejo, Ice Cube, and Placido Domingo.  The Book of Life opens in 3D on October 17th.

Click over to Apple to see the trailer in HD.

SYNOPSIS

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.