Review: The Secret of Kells

The Secret of Kells may have been marketed as a children's film, but my adult family and I found it a delight to watch.This film is dark, shockingly dark at times, but through its beautiful animation and compelling story we learn that beauty can thrive, as the shape-shifting fairy Aisling tells us, in the darkest of places.
Brendan, the protagonist, is an orphan living with his uncle, who is the abbot of a middle-ages Irish monestary. The abbot (voiced by the unmistakable Brendan Gleeson) is seemingly concerned with only one thing: continuous construction of the great wall encircling their utopia, offering safety to the surrounding community in times of crisis and hopefully keeping viking, or "northman," invaders out. Brendan has never been outside the safety of the abbey's walls, for the abbot assures him that only danger lies beyond. The internal community is remarkably diverse, comprised of brothers from all over the globe. The illuminators, the brothers who spend their time writing and illustrating marvelous books, enthrall Brendan with their tales of distant lands and of the mysterious and powerful book of Ioda.

Then, one day, Brother Aidan arrives, bringing with him the very book that has so captured the Illuminators' imaginations. He has fled Ioda, which was pillaged and burned by the northmen. After that, everything changes for Brendan, as he is forced to confront the outside world for the first time. In the forest, on an errand for Brother Aidan, he makes a new friend: Aisling, an ancient and powerful but youthful fairy girl who can take the shape of a white wolf. She not only opens Brendan's eyes to the beauty of her realm, but of its dangers, too.

You can't talk about "The Secret of Kells" without mentioning how spectacularly beautiful it is. There is no gimmicky 3-D, next to no CGI. Everything you see is hand-drawn, and heavily influenced by Celtic mythology and folk art. Particularly striking are the forest scenes: their extraordinary detail, layering and use of color creating wonder in us akin to what Brendan must surely be feeling during his first venture beyond the walls. The colorists perfectly captured every shade of green present in Ireland's extraordinary landscape.

Also captured beautifully are the shapes and movements of the characters, from the Abbot's straightbacked, smooth stride to Pangur-Bam and Aisling's cat-like bounds and climbing. And speaking of Pangur Bam, I've never seen so much personality conveyed in an animated animal.The white cat's delicate gestures and facial expressions are beautifully captivating.

The characters are also represented by color: blue and white connects Aisling and the mystical Pangur Bam, while red connects the violent northmen to the rigid, sometimes cruel abbot. Aisling's green eyes clearly mark her as an inhabitant of the forest, while Brendan's brown robe and vivid coloring mark his distinction from his friend.

One of the most compelling things about the story is that while religion is a central feature, Christianity is never explicitly mentioned. And, differing from the history we know of the middle and dark ages, these brothers want to bring the word to the people, rather than prevent them from being enlightened. The message of the film is not about the importance of religion or of God, but of the beauty and importance of knowledge. The book of Ioda must be kept safe so that it may be shared with the people upon its completion. Illumination is the central theme; bringing knowledge out of the darkness and into the light. Enligtenment through illumination.

Another thing that makes the film appealing is its beautiful score: the film is as much worth listening to as it is worth watching. It perfectly captures the essence of medeival Ireland; it spirited this viewer even further away from her living room on a current of flutes and drum beats.

This film had only a limited release in the US, but Netflix carries the DVD. For a limited time it is also available on instant play. I obtained a copy from my county library system. So, if you're interested in watching it (as you should be!), you should be able to find a copy!

In conclusion? Despite the lure of the animated style, this film may be a little too frightening for some children. Adults with an ear for music, an eye for beauty and a mind for a good message should not miss out. Watch and learn. Let "The Secret of Kells" illuminate your evening.