Despite its lack of a strong ending, The Secret of Kells is a charming story told beautifully – and bravely. Directed by Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey, it may be aimed at a younger audience, but it pulls no punches in content or quality.
The film follows “Brendan” (voiced by Evan McGuire), a young boy living in medieval Ireland who is confined to his uncle’s abbey pending an inevitable raid from the north. When “Aidan” (voiced by Mick Lally), arrives with an unfinished magical book and asks for Brendan’s help in completing it, Brendan embarks on a quest into the forest. Here, he meets “Aisling” (voiced by Christen Mooney), a wolf-girl who holds knowledge and power beyond her years.
Moore and Twomey have created a stunning visual world, merging a traditional Celtic style with two-dimensional storybook imagery. They also tinker with perspective and distance, allowing the characters to travel great distances in seconds and giving the environment an otherworldly quality.
The film’s only real flaw is that its 75-minute runtime doesn’t allow for much of an ending. While there is a resolution of sorts, there’s not enough time for a satisfactory denouement.
That issue aside, though, The Secret of Kells is a wonderful journey. The characters are sweet and endearing, and despite a few tense moments that might scare younger viewers, its moral – that knowledge will triumph over violence – is universal.
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