Review of The Secret of Kells (2009) by Stuart K — 05 Aug 2013
From Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon, and the directorial debut of comic book artist Tomm Moore, this is an enchanting and magical fantasy based on Irish legend. It's absolutely beautiful to look at, and it owes a debt of gratitude to the works of Studio Ghibli.
It shows that hand-drawn animation can still look brilliant, and trump many CGI and 3D efforts, this is a cartoon with heart and imagination in spades. Set in the 8th Century, Abbot Cellach (Brendan Gleeson) is obsessed with building a wall to keep the Vikings out of the Abbey of Kells, he's raised his 12 year old nephew Brendan (Evan McGuire) to follow in his footsteps, and has been forbidden from leaving Kells.
But all that changes when Brother Aidan (Mick Lally) arrives with his cat Pangur Bán, and Aidan has the Book of Iona, and he teaches Brendan about the book, musch to Abbot Cellach's ire. Aidan even sends Brendan out into the surrounding woods to get gall nuts to make ink.
Out in the woods, Brendan meets fairy Aisling (Christen Mooney), who is suspicious of Brendan at first, but they become friends. There hasn't been an enchanting animated film like this in ages, but it's beautiful to look at, and it makes you want more.
Director Moore and his team at Cartoon Saloon are talents to watch out for, as they've made a masterpiece with this film.
This review of The Secret of Kells (2009) was written by Stuart K on 05 Aug 2013.
The Secret of Kells has generally received very positive reviews.
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