Title: The Secret of Kells
Director: Tomm Moore
Starring: Brendan Gleeson, Evan McGuire, Christen Mooney, Mick Lally
Duration: 75 minutes
DVD Released: 1st November 2010
Brendan (Evan McGuire) is the nephew of the Abbot of the township of Kells. He lives in an Irish monastery in medieval times. The Abbot (Brendan Gleeson) wants to build a wall to protect Kells from the attacking Vikings. Brendan however has other ideas. He wants to spend time with Brother Aidan (Mick Lally) who is writing a manuscript. Brendan wants to help and goes into the nearby forest in search of supplies for the book, such as berries to make into ink. Once in the forest he finds dangers as well as friends, such as the mischievous sprite Aisling (Christen Mooney) and sinister ancient gods.
The Secret of Kells is Oscar-nominated. Director Tomm Moore has done a fine job with the source material and the imagery is quite astonishing. Very different to other types of animation you have seen before, it is unique and wonderfully colourful and imaginative.
The story however is rather slight. There is not much depth. But at 75 minutes at least it doesn’t outstay its welcome. Overall it feels as though it is a little more style over substance. The Secret of Kells is undeniably fabulous to look at, although there is perhaps not quite enough depth to the story in terms of emotional impact.
