Brendan et le secret de Kells

If you love movies like The Triplets of Belleville or Persepolis, you’re in luck. The Secret of Kells is from the same rank of alternative animated movies. And it is of equally high quality, audio-visual imaginativeness, and interior richness. A real work of art, especially in the HD version (both visually and in terms of true reference surround sound). (18/10/2010)

Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey are animation illuminators in every sense of those words. Not only does their film breathe life into the medieval art of manuscript illumination, which it also elementally connects with the world of Celtic myths, but it also enlightens viewers with its truly breathtaking creative side and enchanting story. Though Brendan and the Secret of Kells does not deny taking inspiration from Miyazaki elements, it ranks among a surprisingly small group of feature-length animated films that are based on the ethos of old legends and revitalise old artistic styles, such as Marcell Jankovics’s Son of the White Mare (1981), Lotte Reiniger’s The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926) and Richard Williams’s unfinished project The Thief and the Cobbler. Moore’s beautiful project is captivating due to not only its unprecedented ornamentality and harmonisation of traditional drawing with 2D computer animation, but also its carefully constructed screenplay, which, following the example of Miyazaki's films, always gives priority to emotions and does not underestimate child viewers. (22/11/2020)

The story takes us to the early Middle Ages, where knowledge and art survive behind the high walls of a Christian monastery inhabited by monks who transcribe and decorate parchments. Little Brendan wants to follow in their footsteps and dreams of creating a truly great work of art, but the invaders from the far North have a completely different idea about the future of the monastery than its residents. Tomm Moore took a completely different approach than Walt Disney, so fans of animation and especially unconventional but stylish drawings can consider this film a treat. The story is also good, although its poetics, along with the almost surrealistic drawing, may not be for everyone. Evil, in the form of Vikings with horns on their helmets, takes the shape of horned devils from fiery hell. Overall impression: 85%. A highly original and stylish affair. (19/04/2011)

I may not have been completely enchanted, although I was certainly pleasantly surprised. I thought the animation style was great and found it very colorful and, in a way, very pretty. I also liked the main protagonists; Aisling especially was charming. Unfortunately, the narrative was not that engaging, and although it was interesting, I did not feel any chills or other deeper sensations. Still, thanks to the great soundtrack, I had fun watching this show, so I guess it was very enjoyable and this is expressed as 7/10. (10/03/2015)

Amazing is the word that perfectly describes this whole film. Beautiful music, playful animation (seriously, if there's any other person besides me who loves geometric shapes of all kinds, they'll be in heaven) that looks simple, although it's not, Coulais' music, a magical story that skillfully combines gentle, sweet humor with suspense and thought, sensationally sympathetic human and animal (Pangur Ban) characters and their dubbing. Such an unassuming film, yet such a sparkling, honest animated gem that would be a shame to overlook. (05/08/2011)