I think the way The Secret Of Kells succeeds personally for me is that the idea of watching anything about Irish mythology sounds like a severe snorefest but i thought it was great despite that.
Not that it's a sprawling piece- it's a pretty delightful story about a boy on a journey, discovering the world around him. It's just brilliant to look at too- you could probably freeze any frame and it would be typically as luscious as the last. The animation-style is like a softer anime. Like Studio Ghibli but more defined. I think it also should be said that it's quite cathartic to see any Irish animation, especially on this scale.
As i mentioned, this is a story about a young boy, Brendan living in a compound- lead and built by his only family, his uncle The Abbott (voiced by classic Irish grump actor, Brendan Gleeson). The boy has unreserved affection for his uncle and despite his concentrated reserve, we understand The Abbott also sincerely just wants what he sees as the best for the boy. The Abbott is building this enclosure to save his world from marauding vikings, to build walls high enough to save their celtish culture, specifically the book of Iona (later to become the historic Book of Kells). When his colleague Brother Aidan and his cat, Pangur Ban arrive, The Abbott seems relatively glad to see to him but Aidan's free-thinking (hippie?) artistic temperament is clearly influencing the boy.
Brendan is growing to the age where the compound is not enough and being told what to is not adequate anymore.
And as he ventures out in to the neighbouring forest to gather materials of the book, the naive boy encounters a forest sprite, Aisling - a guardian of the forest and they have this cute 8yo boy-meets-8yo girl relationship.
It's easy to see why this was lauded all the way to the Oscars-it's well paced at 75mins and it's cartoony with a positive message about contributing and finding your artistic voice, for the kids but striking and beautiful for adults to appreciate. It's also brimming with Brendan's boisterous enthusiasm for life, which contributes to tone of the overall film.
You have to remind yourself that they don't make much 2D cell animation any more, more is the shame, but you forget because the images just 'pop' here.
The Secret of Kells is patently made for a family gathering like Christmas or Easter.
I watched The Secret Of Kells (2009) on DVD via LoveFilm.
My 2011 in Movies will return with Brighton Rock (2010)...
As i mentioned, this is a story about a young boy, Brendan living in a compound- lead and built by his only family, his uncle The Abbott (voiced by classic Irish grump actor, Brendan Gleeson). The boy has unreserved affection for his uncle and despite his concentrated reserve, we understand The Abbott also sincerely just wants what he sees as the best for the boy. The Abbott is building this enclosure to save his world from marauding vikings, to build walls high enough to save their celtish culture, specifically the book of Iona (later to become the historic Book of Kells). When his colleague Brother Aidan and his cat, Pangur Ban arrive, The Abbott seems relatively glad to see to him but Aidan's free-thinking (hippie?) artistic temperament is clearly influencing the boy.
Brendan is growing to the age where the compound is not enough and being told what to is not adequate anymore.
And as he ventures out in to the neighbouring forest to gather materials of the book, the naive boy encounters a forest sprite, Aisling - a guardian of the forest and they have this cute 8yo boy-meets-8yo girl relationship.
It's easy to see why this was lauded all the way to the Oscars-it's well paced at 75mins and it's cartoony with a positive message about contributing and finding your artistic voice, for the kids but striking and beautiful for adults to appreciate. It's also brimming with Brendan's boisterous enthusiasm for life, which contributes to tone of the overall film.
You have to remind yourself that they don't make much 2D cell animation any more, more is the shame, but you forget because the images just 'pop' here.
The Secret of Kells is patently made for a family gathering like Christmas or Easter.
I watched The Secret Of Kells (2009) on DVD via LoveFilm.
My 2011 in Movies will return with Brighton Rock (2010)...
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