THE SECRET OF KELLS

Whoever pitched The Secret of Kells as an animated children’s movie must have received a few stony-faces. The film re-imagines the creation of the Book of Kells, an illuminated Gospel manuscript created by Celtic Monks around 800 A.D., and still considered to be the zenith of western calligraphy. Of course a movie about calligraphy wouldn’t sit too well with groups of hyper-active kids, so The Secret of Kells combines the historical with a sense of imagination and adventure. Taking its cues from Irish folklore and the likes, the movie plays like an amalgamation of a number of different fairy tales. It hops along at a giddy pace, bouncing ideas around and looking beautiful all the while.

The story is set in an isolated Irish Abbey community which is trying desperately to improve its defences against viking attack.  However, the Abbot’s nephew, 12-year-old Brandon isn’t interested in aiding his uncle’s attempt to build a huge wall around the abbey, preferring instead to illustrate manuscripts with a gang of monks in the scriptorium. Soon Brother Aidan, a master illuminator, joins the community after being forced out of his home by the vikings, and he soon takes Brandon under his wing. He brings with him a book which he hopes to complete during his stay at the Abbey of Kells. Soon enough, in order to help Brother Aidan, Brandon is forced to venture outside the abbey walls into a world of forest spirits, mythical creatures and deadly vikings.

The visuals are something to behold. The animators must have studied the look and aesthetic of the Book of Kells and attempted to mimic a similar yet contemporary style. It has an antique, decorative feeling unnatural amongst most animated movies. There’s a particularly stunning sequence when the vikings finally break through the defences at the Abbey of Kells, where the animators limit themselves to a palette of red, black and white, with brilliantly striking effect. As for the vikings themselves, they are represented by fearsome, shadowlike, horned spectres that drift across the scenery with a regal ease.

The story’s imaginative, if a little convoluted. One criticism that I might level towards the film is that it attempts to get too much into its short 75 minute running time. Regardless of this, there’s a reason why the film was nominated for the 2009 Oscar for Best Animated Feature. It’s a true original, in terms of style and attitude. Children are sure to be entertained and adults will be glad that it’s something a little different from the usual family fare they are forced to take their kids to. Even if the story leaves you a little cold, the visuals give you more than a little to hang on to.