Every now and then, you find an animated film that should have gotten far more widespread love than it deserved, and that film is the Oscar nominated animated Irish film, The Secret of Kells. Despite meeting with rave reviews, it simply did not get enough worldwide attention outside its home country, or even outside Europe. Nonetheless, this is a beautiful movie that offers just the right amount of substance to click with audiences.The main story centers around the abbot Cellach of Kells, who is very determined to keep the small village protected by a giant wall from a possible viking attack. Meanwhile, his nephew Brendan gains a golden opportunity to embrace his imagination in the abbey's scriptorium to help famous illustrator Aidan finish the famous book of Kells to keep knowledge going. Such tasks include dodging wall buildings, venturing into the forbidden forest in search of berries to make ink, and getting help from the forest spirit Aisling. Simple enough storyline, yet what really elevates the movie is the artistry and passion displayed on the screen. The artwork is a gorgeous throwback to ancient illustrations created in a more geometric albeit symbolic design rather than realism. The character designs look like they came out of an Irish painting, the character animation is pretty smooth and crisp, and the use of color is astonishing, from the more simple calm green Irish atmosphere, to the darkish red tones for the vikings, to even a great use of mellow blue to emphasize sadness and fear.As for the characters, pretty much all of them are well thought out and intriguing. Brendan is the curious lad who grows enthusiastically fascinated by the book and how it is made (as well as the audience), Aisling does mess with Brendan at first but soon helps him complete the book to shine light in the dark, and Cellach may be stern and tough but is only trying to protect himself and his people from vikings out of fear which isolated him from the real magic of the book. Finally, there's Brother Aidan of Iona; despite showing his old age, he is very determined to keep all knowledge in literature and will do anything to keep such work passed on so that the language of art and literature won't be forgotten. The other characters like Pangur Ban and the other illuminator monks do serve a good purpose in keeping the book's magic in tact and by being good supporters for Brendan along the way.Overall, by blending fantasy and darkness with phenomenal illustration, The Secret of Kells is an all around gorgeous film with a clever story, engaging characters, interesting philosophies on Celtic culture, breathtaking animation, and sublime music. While I do think it could have been longer to answer a few character arcs and to pad the ending out a little bit, I still deem it a very wonderful film with great respect for art and knowledge. Had it not been for wise men and literature, there's a good chance knowledge would be forgotten and the darkness would not be lifted, which is something me must relinquish to remember the hope that lies in the world. As someone who wishes to bring light into people's eyes with his own work, I deem this movie a big influence, and I thank it for inspiring me to create cleverly imaginative stories and for giving me an interest in Irish culture itself.

The Secret of Kells is an Irish-French-Belgian animated fantasy film, directed by Tom Moore. Just like it's sequel movie Song of the Sea, it's unlike anything we've seen on screen. The visuals are enchanting and fanciful. Brendan is an idealistic young boy who lives in the Abbey of Kells, which is an outpost surrounded by heavily fortified walls. Due to the threats of the Viking raids, his uncle, and the monks are sequestered on the abbey so Brendan has never stepped out of the walls. One day Brother Aidan comes to Kells with an unfinished sacred book of knowledge, which he refers to it as "a beacon in these dark days" of brutal attacks. Brendan is fascinated with the book and tries to help Brother Aidan complete the book, as his hands are too old and unsteady to finish the book. But to create the book, Brendan has to undertake a dangerous quest to obtain ink berries in the forest. Luckily he meets a woodland fairy Aisling, who helps him with him the mission. Brendan needs to face his fears and help Brother Aidan finish the book.As I've mentioned before, I thoroughly enjoyed the director's animation technique because it's charming and magical. The scenes were intricate and colorful. The vibrant and melodious Irish folk musical background scores increase the overall enchanting quality of this film.The cool thing about the story line is that it's partially right. There is a book called "Book of Kells," which is a 9th century New Testament with brilliant embellishments. And it is considered as Ireland's National Treasure. At the end of the film, I also enjoyed how The Secret of Kells uses early Christian Theology to access to a wider audience as it illuminated the audience with its incredible and universal sentiment. The movie has a great message, from young viewers to old ones with striking imagery to captivate the audience.

So I finally got to sit down and watch this film properly. You really would be jaw dropping the whole time because the animation was absolutely stunning, especially if it is a 2-D cartoon movie! The voice acting was good too, I honestly didn't know which character was voiced by Brendan Gleeson, all the men actors really sounded pretty much the same so I didn't know who was who!Even though I have heard a lot about the Book of Kells that's displayed in Trinity College Dublin, I just think the films crew weren't paying enough attention to much of what the book was actually about. The reason I just said that was because, there was no such thing as a young boy Brendan finding the book. Sure, no one knows who was the culprit that created the book! Apart from my little complaint, I thought everything was perfect. It does tell you a bit of history such as when the Vikings came to Europe and pretty much the detail of the books designs! Good all ages movie!Happy St Paddys Day Lads and Lassies! :D

A really beautiful cartoon movie. Full of amazing Celtic designs woven into the background. I enjoyed the Irish Trad music and the wonderful characters especially Aisling the fairy. As a fan of anime, I definitely enjoyed the unique drawing style. My only complaint is I wish the movie was longer. I would love to see more movies in this style about other Irish legends as there are many that are very interesting and would make great movies. Overall if you like Ireland and/or Irish art design you will love this movie.P.S. I have seen the Book of Kells and it really is very beautiful