Steeped in* Mexican folk art and inspired* by that country’s holiday the Day of the Dead, “The Book of Life” has great visual effects, despite its formulaic* storyline.

    Bookended* by funny parts in which a museum tour guide (Christina Applegate) hosts* a group of school kids, the story is about the romantic triangle* among the free-spirited Maria (Zoe Saldana) and her two suitors*: Manolo (Diego Luna), from a family of a long line of bullfighters, who really wants to be a singer/guitarist; and Joaquin (Channing Tatum), a war hero who walks around with many medals on his chest.

    A god couple La Muerta (Kate del Castillo) and Xibabla (del Toro regular Ron Perlman) make a bet as to which of the two men Maria will choose. La Muerta, the ruler of the Land of the Remembered, places her bet on Manolo, while Xibabla, who rules the dark Land of the Forgotten, puts his faith* in Joaquin.

    Xibabla tricks* Manolo into thinking that Maria has gone to the Land of the Remembered, so the love-struck suitor sets off after her. While first happy to be introduced to the world where he meets all his ancestors*, Manolo is soon disappointed to find that Maria is not there and sets off to find La Muerta to help him. He first stops at the Cave of Souls to listen to the advice of the Candle Maker (Ice Cube) who’s in charge of The Book of Life.

    Meanwhile, the Land of the Living is troubled by the bad monster* Chakal (Dan Navarro) and his gang of bandits*. A battle will be fought.

    Audiences will be swept up by the magical visuals depicting* the three worlds and their wooden inhabitants*. The computer-animated film looks very impressive in 3-D. It also has great music. Besides the original* score and songs by two-time Oscar winner Gustavo Santaolalla and songwriter Paul Williams, there are fun versions of such pop hits as Mumford and Sons’ “I Will Wait,” Radiohead’s “Creep” and Rod Stewart’s “Do You Think I’m Sexy?” among others.(SD-Agencies)