Review of The Secret of Kells (2009) by Jake . — 21 Sep 2010

I read that one of the animators had worked on this film over the years of 07 and 08. It makes you wonder how long this film was in production, how painstaking the creation must have been. However much time and effort, the end result is amazing. I'm a bit of an animation junkie, but I've never seen anything quite like this. Its incredibly stylized and simple, but still so beautiful and artistic. And keeping in the vein of myths and legends, it is also reminiscent of Byzantine and Midevil artwork. Some of the characters were rather weak, but I am very much in love with Aisling and the cat. Parts of "Kells" really set me on edge. That is something that hardly ever happens. And there was not even anythin particuarly creepy!

It sort of feels like style took presidence over story. On the surface level it is not particuarly complicated or original, but that does not make it any less enjoyable. Apparently there was some deeper metaphors and deeper meanings, but I missed them. It can certainly be taken at a literal level, but it feels like there is something more. Maybe there is a historical or legendary aspect I'm just unaware of. One thing I'm pretty of is that The Book of Kells is the four gospels. Even so, that doesn't really add any meaning to the movie. At least that I can see. I bring this up only beause I've read numorous complaints about it; and they are completely legitimate. Still, it does not detract from the mystery and beauty that makes up the rest of the film.