Review of The Secret of Kells (2009) by Dustin G — 21 Sep 2010

I'm not much familiar with Irish cinema, but if The Secret of Kells is any indication, I may have to experience more of it. This movie is quite simply a work of art. Boasting some of the most amazing animated visuals this side of Miyazaki, The Secret of Kells tells a stylized, highly romantic story of the origins of the Book of Kells.

Its narrative is simplistic enough, and has enough animated hijinx and visual tricks to appeal to younger viewers, but, on the other hand, the underlying story about invasion, fear, faith, tradition and isolation all appeal to a distinctly adult sensibility, even though all issues are dealt with with the greatest possible delicacy and cultural sensitivity.

It is difficult to tell what genre this would fall under; history or fantasy, but after a while one gets so lost in the world and people around them that they cease to care.The characters of the steadfast Brendan, the stern Abbot of Kells, the whimsical monk Aidan, and the wild faerie Aisling are all relatable and extremely memorable to audiences of any age, and are complimented by some excellent voice work, including a good performance from Brendan Gleeson as the Abbot.

The tale does fall a little awkward in the second act, with many years passing in the span of time it took a handful of days in the first act, causing the ending to feel somewhat unbalanced, but overall it tells a fully realized story, and is complimented by gorgeous visuals and a highly magical score by Bruno Coulais.

This is a film that will probably never achieve much commercial success, but I would dare say it will soon become known as a must-see for animation aficionados, as well as fans of Irish culture and heritage.