A mysterious, ageless young female voice narrates in whispers(who we learn more about) the beginning of this film, and so we follow the story of young Brendan and his quest to complete the sacred text in the mysterious book of Kells (which is the 'light' what with an impending doom of war causing darkness to overshadow the village).
The main protagonist Brendan is likable though was it really necessary to have animated bald Gollywog for Brother Assoua? Thankfully it's brief. Voice acting is pretty solid, the plot suffers from some undeveloped parts that could've been expanded upon a bit but the animation is beautifully stylised like an old Henri Rousseau painting mixed with old Saxon tapestries and is just so compelling to view.
There's 'eye' imagery, light and darkness imagery and swirling patterns that and a gentle tinkling sound whenever Brendan's being creative related to the Book. There's interesting scenes such as an phosphorescent snake that moves like that old Nokia 'Snake' game.
Likewise the score is fittingly Celtic and pastoral in sound (the use of harp, flute and fiddle are heard) and has some memorable leitmotifs. There's a beautiful lullaby type song heard in the film sung by the female narrator (introduced at the beginning) that's just lovely.
My main issues are: more back story for Brendan's character and why his uncle is so strict, better closure for the characters and what exactly that creature in the cave was. It's a bit vague in places, as aforementioned as if it expects the audience to have prior knowledge of Irish folklore and the Book itself.
Overall: an interesting watch that has moments of emotional involvement, horror and whimsy that gave me that warm feeling of nostalgia, like when I remember watching Watership Down (as this films opening prologue seems to be inspired by the opening prologue's animation in Watership Down).
Not excellent on all levels to me, but so much more creative and inspired than the vast majority of production-line big studio animation out there. Definitely worth watching for the experience alone. 6.6/10
The main protagonist Brendan is likable though was it really necessary to have animated bald Gollywog for Brother Assoua? Thankfully it's brief. Voice acting is pretty solid, the plot suffers from some undeveloped parts that could've been expanded upon a bit but the animation is beautifully stylised like an old Henri Rousseau painting mixed with old Saxon tapestries and is just so compelling to view.
There's 'eye' imagery, light and darkness imagery and swirling patterns that and a gentle tinkling sound whenever Brendan's being creative related to the Book. There's interesting scenes such as an phosphorescent snake that moves like that old Nokia 'Snake' game.
Likewise the score is fittingly Celtic and pastoral in sound (the use of harp, flute and fiddle are heard) and has some memorable leitmotifs. There's a beautiful lullaby type song heard in the film sung by the female narrator (introduced at the beginning) that's just lovely.
My main issues are: more back story for Brendan's character and why his uncle is so strict, better closure for the characters and what exactly that creature in the cave was. It's a bit vague in places, as aforementioned as if it expects the audience to have prior knowledge of Irish folklore and the Book itself.
Overall: an interesting watch that has moments of emotional involvement, horror and whimsy that gave me that warm feeling of nostalgia, like when I remember watching Watership Down (as this films opening prologue seems to be inspired by the opening prologue's animation in Watership Down).
Not excellent on all levels to me, but so much more creative and inspired than the vast majority of production-line big studio animation out there. Definitely worth watching for the experience alone. 6.6/10