The Secret of Kells

One of the major obstacles of an animated feature length film is pleasing both young and old alike. The young flock to films like this, but they only flock because their parents are willing to take them. If they can please the older movie-goers, then they have achieved a level of success that many animated films only dream of, but that nearly all aspire to. The Secret of Kells succeeds on this most important front differently than many animated films. It does so by appealing to the artistic part of the adult mind, the creative aspect of our fertile psyche. The storyline is very engaging, but the imagery used to tell the story is almost more important in some ways, and, because of this attention to artistic detail, the film offers something to everyone wiling to give it a shot.

It tells the story of a very curious young boy named Brendan, whose appetite for adventure is greater than his capacity to endure his follies. We can probably all relate to this particular character trait in some way. Though his eyes for escapades are bigger than his proverbial stomach, his sincerity and unrelenting spirit are no match for any misfortune that gets in his way. He meets a forest fairy named Aisling, who guides him on his first journey beyond the stone walls his uncle, the Abbot of Kells (played by Brendan Gleeson), has fortified to barricade and protect the city against imminent invaders. Enter Aidan, a wise old sage from a distant land, who comes bearing books. Or, rather, he comes bearing a book, The Book. But, it isn’t finished, and it becomes Brendan’s job to complete it. Tragedy abounds, and the city is engulfed in epic circumstances. The film follows Brendan in his quest to finish the book and ultimately save civilization. In this way, it is very similar to The Book of Eli, though much more kid-friendly.

Tomm Moore, from whom I hope we see more in the near future, almost singlehandedly created, designed, wrote, produced, and even recorded music for this beautiful animated film. And it shows. This is one film in which the art direction, an often overlooked aspect of film-making, triumphs with flying colors. Quite literally. Gorgeous imagery adorn the screen in nearly every scene, creating rich, textured emotional layers to the world of these characters. There are essentially only a half-dozen speaking parts, while the rest of the world, both friend and foe alike, is voiced by the ambient sounds of the multitude. Moore creates a world in which color and imagery are as important as anything that can be spoken. In fact, the book is populated by images, ostensibly Celtic symbols and lurid swirling shapes of different sizes, which move about on the page as one “reads” them.

Moore seems to have a very controlled artistic vision, but the film never feels stifled in the least. The borderline simplistic animation of the people is constantly surrounded by, and enmeshed in, the ornately illustrated depictions of nature and village alike, and the life therein, all around them. The essential conventions are familiar, but this particular representation is anything but. The watercolor world of Kells and beyond dances and flirts with the eye of the viewer, and the characters come to life through it. The Secret of Kells is an artistic film with a specific vision and an enchanting story to tell. You won’t be disappointed.

Rating: 3.5/4 Stars