The Secret of Kells

Name: The Secret of Kells
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Animation
Released: March 5, 2010
Duration: 75 min
Rating: 81
Cast: Brendan Gleeson, Evan McGuire, Mick Lally

2010

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 20 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 100 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 100 Ratings

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The Secret Of Kells

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Movie Details & Credits

GKIDS | Release Date: March 5, 2010

Starring: Brendan Gleeson, Evan McGuire, Mick Lally

Summary: Magic, fantasy, and Celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes, in a sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times. Young Brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebratedMagic, fantasy, and Celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes, in a sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times. Young Brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. To help complete the magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears and venture into the enchanted forest where mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the fairy Aisling, a mysterious young wolf-girl, who helps him fulfill his dangerous quest. (GKIDS)… Expand

Director: Nora Twomey and Tomm Moore

Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Animation

Runtime: 75 min

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Critic Reviews

Boxoffice Magazine Pam Grady

The exquisite art and fairytale ambience will win over animation fans and children alike. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

This wonderfully strange and exquisite little feature was created, especially for young children, to celebrate the book through another kind of illumination that's been falling into disuse--hand-drawn animation. Read full review

Andrew O'Hehir

A gorgeous transcription of medieval decorative art and its themes into a contemporary animated narrative, one that should enthrall children older than 8 or so, along with the adults lucky enough to watch with them. Read full review

Michael Rechtshaffen

Kells proves that in the increasingly high-tech world of feature animation, there still can be a place for old-time tradition. Read full review

Leslie Felperin

With its jewel-bright colors and intricate use of lines, the result is absolutely luscious to behold. Read full review

Roger Ebert

The movie has a wide appeal, with a gap in the middle. I think it will appeal to children young enough to be untutored in boredom, and to anyone old enough to be drawn in, or to appreciate the artistry. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Regrettably, the film's story is so busy yet flat that the effect isn't magical -- it's more like watching the tale of some very enchanted wallpaper. Read full review

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User Reviews

UncleChu

Dec 13, 2010

Having been trained in fine art, having studied art history, and being an enormous fan of animation and cartoons, I must say this is one of the finest creations in the last five years. The story itself is simple and sweet, perhaps nothing to celebrate, and set in a medieval Ireland someHaving been trained in fine art, having studied art history, and being an enormous fan of animation and cartoons, I must say this is one of the finest creations in the last five years. The story itself is simple and sweet, perhaps nothing to celebrate, and set in a medieval Ireland some 1200 years ago. However, the Tartakovskian stylization of characters, the backgrounds abstracted to a nearly Byzantine flatness, and the romanticization of monastic inspiration pay great homage to the original Book of Kells.

And if you don't like all the heady intellectual stuff, it's incredible to look at, the soundtrack is totally mesmerizing, and I will sheepishly confess being moved to tears by Aisling's Song to Panger Ban. Great for the family, spooky and lovely, I'd recommend it to any one with an interest in animation, Irish lore, or art history. Check it out! (As of December 2010, its Watch Instant on Netflix!)… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

Tyranian

Apr 13, 2019

This has got to be one of the best animations I've seen, it is brilliantly made. Beautiful.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Zal

Dec 20, 2012

In terms of animation style and visuals, this movie is gorgeous. I had to watch it several times just to take it all in. Something about it reminds me of Samurai Jack. On a story and character level, this movie is solid. The characters are mostly basic, but likable and well developed. I justIn terms of animation style and visuals, this movie is gorgeous. I had to watch it several times just to take it all in. Something about it reminds me of Samurai Jack. On a story and character level, this movie is solid. The characters are mostly basic, but likable and well developed. I just wish there was more.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

gavinb215

May 27, 2022

For only 75 minutes this movie puts so much in itself. The animation while limited is still fantastic and greatly expresses the beauty of the forest and the walls of Kells. The music can compare itself to the music of the Disney Renaissance movies and Pixar's Up. The song Aisling's Song isFor only 75 minutes this movie puts so much in itself. The animation while limited is still fantastic and greatly expresses the beauty of the forest and the walls of Kells. The music can compare itself to the music of the Disney Renaissance movies and Pixar's Up. The song Aisling's Song is my personal favorite and is one of the many highlights. Another is the performance of Abbot Cellach by Brendan Gleason, one of the best-animated performances of all time.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DogeGamer2015

Apr 20, 2021

La trama es decente, pero la animación y la banda sonora son elementos excelentes que la hacen disfrutable; no es la mejor película de Cartoon Saloon, aunque sigue siendo una experiencia muy disfrutable.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Enna

Nov 24, 2014

THE SECRET OF KELLS is an unforgettable visual experience. The art flat-out blew my mind. It takes inspiration from medieval illuminated manuscripts, so the movie plays out like a series of pictures with the characters moving in very straight, two dimensional ways through them. The playsTHE SECRET OF KELLS is an unforgettable visual experience. The art flat-out blew my mind. It takes inspiration from medieval illuminated manuscripts, so the movie plays out like a series of pictures with the characters moving in very straight, two dimensional ways through them. The plays with perspective and movement are endlessly creative. Furthermore, just like the titular Book of Kells, each frame is meticulously detailed and drenched in rich colors - greens, golds and browns for the beautiful forest, and harsh reds and blacks for the scary viking invaders. It's simply GORGEOUS. My description is by no means doing this film justice - you must see it for yourself!

Unfortunately, the story doesn't match the visuals - it's a collection of great ideas, story arcs, and scenes jumbled together with not enough development. Brendan's coming-of-age arc is thinly developed and never moves beyond the expected. The Christianity vs. Paganism conflict is falls flat because both sides aren't developed beyond Christianity = good, Paganism = evil monster worship (and we never see what makes them so. It's just taken for granted.) The vikings attacking Kells is a scary threat, but the storyline comes off as silly. (The Abbot wants to make the illuminators build the walls to keep the vikings out, and the illuminatiors want to finish the book of Kells. However, when the vikings nonetheless break into Kells, the Abbot realizes that his plan was wrong all along and that the illuminators were right in wanting to work on the book instead (??? This stuck me as bizarre because, well, if they had worked on the illumination instead, the monestary would still have been destroyed!)) Furthermore, these storylines are not tied well together, preventing the movie from gliding along and "casting a spell" on the audience.

Now, the movie is still very enjoyable. The storylines are still engaging, the characters are charming and likeable (especially Aisling!), and the setting of a 800's monastery is compelling, and unusual for a children's movie. The movie shines in certain scenes - the forest is full of organic, awesome beauty; Brenden's battle with Crom Cruach takes place in a dark, ethereal space with many strange glowing lights; and the scene where Aisling sings to Pangur Ban is filled with so much beauty, mystery, and visual poetry, it haunted me for days afterwards. I get chills every time I think about it!

So - THE SECRET OF KELLS is a little treat. The story may not be up to close scrutiny, but if you let yourself be swept up in its visuals and setting, you are in for a beautiful experience!… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

EludiumQ36

Aug 30, 2015

Like most others have commented, the animation was decent enough though seen before, nothing special, and the plot was engaging enough until its denouement, which was hurried and not well motivated so that was disappointing.

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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