Stunning visuals and with a cool premise and story, but the execution is a good bit too slow and meandering to properly grip me. Still quite an accomplishment, and recommended to any fan of animation and children's fantasy. ( )

A boy raised by medieval monks under threat of Viking attack befriends a fairy and learns to be an artist.

It's like somebody made a feature film version of Samurai Jack. It's notably missing the beautiful simplicity of story that Jack had, but otherwise the resemblance is uncanny. Which is awesome.

Concept: C
Story: B
Characters: C
Dialog: B
Pacing: B
Cinematography: A
Special effects/design: A
Acting: C
Music: A

Enjoyment: A

GPA: 3.1/4 ( )

The story follows a young scriptorium apprentice, Brendan, who lives in a monastery with his uncle. His uncle focuses on constructing a wall to protect the abbey from Viking invaders, and Brendan explores the local area, helping around the monastery as he can. After the arrival of a mysterious Brother Aidan of Iona, Brendan begins to learn the art of illuminated texts as well as the forest spirits that surround the monastery.

Featuring gorgeous, hand-drawn illustrations, the film's artwork mirrors that of its subject matter. This film, or perhaps selected segments, could be included in an art class or history class doing an unit of illuminated letters. Although it takes place in a different time and setting, the film may also appeal to fans of Disney's Brave (2012) for its similar themes and the perspective of a feisty young person. ( )

Brendan is the nephew of the Abbott priest of Kells. Brendan is interested in creating the Book of Kells with some of the other monks, but his uncle, Abbot, is more worried about building a wall to protect the city of Kells from the destructable vikings. In order to continue work on the Book of Kells Brendan has to go into a dark cave to get a stone. With his befriended fairy Aisling they get the stone that gives the wisdom needed. But once the book is ready to be continued the vikings attack and wound the Abbot. Brendan escapes with the book and finishes it with his mentor, and returns many years later to give it to the Kells. He finds his old uncle Abbot and gives the city the beautiful Book of Kells.

I thought the book was a bit long (50+ pages) for an illustrated children's book but thought it was a great tale. I think my third graders will enjoy the action in it. A great way to share the history of the Book of Kells with children. ( )

Brendan is a novice Irish at the monastery of Kells monk during the 9th century AD. His uncle, the abbot, has taken up the herculean task of building a stone wall around the village to keep out the roaming Viking hoard and refuses to let his young nephew venture into the forest beyond. When a mysterious old monk arrives at Kells with a book to "turn darkness into light", however, Brendan begins sneaking into the woods to find berries for ink and meets an enchanting fairy girl named Aisling.

While the illumination of ancient manuscripts seems a curious topic for a hand-drawn animated children's movie, The Secret of Kells surprises in its creative plot and beautiful animation. Deliberately drawn in a flat, 2-dimensional style, the film is more a series of tableaus through which the characters move. These intricately detailed, slightly abstracted backgrounds contain recurring patterns and motifs reminiscent of the style of illustration used by the monks themselves. Juxtaposing traditional Celtic circles and swirls with the hulking squares and jagged lines of the "northmen", this film surprises in its artistic and literary flair. While some children might find the style of animation a bit too abstract to follow, they will love the beautiful moving artwork nonetheless.

The haunting Irish soundtrack only adds to the atmospheric tone of the story. Aisling's gaelic song to the cat Pangur Ban, sung in her sweet, high soprano, brings tears to the eyes. Likewise, the lilting violins and flutes that crop up throughout the film fit excellently with its story and animation.

While The Secret of Kells is incredibly historically specific and accurate, the inclusion of the magical subplot fits organically with what's going on in the rest of the story. Brendan's battle with the Crom Cruach might prove too much of a departure from the world of Kells, but the magnifying glass he gains from the adventure becomes indispensable to creating what has often been called Ireland's first national treasure. Recommended for grades 3 through 7. ( )