Finally, I managed to see this Irish animated adventure - and it was worth the wait.
It seems like some people I've spoken to have focused on the fact that it looks nothing like a Pixar movie - as if somehow this is how all animated films should look. It's worth pointing out therefore that Pixar movies are popular because of their attention to characters, stories and other such crazy ideas. It's not because they look flashy that keep making tons of money and scooping awards from adult audiences.
In this respect, THE SECRET OF KELLS succeeds, and with flying colours. It is a cracking adventure story that plays on Irish history (it's about the quest to complete the Book of Kells while the Vikings come to invade Ireland) but does not require an understanding or awareness of it. Indeed, in the audience I attended with, I overheard more than one person who was surprised to learn that the book was actually a real object. (It's on display at Trinity College, and I urge you to check it out if you haven't already done so)
However, the look of the film is striking as well, regardless of its absence of 3D computer graphics. It's more than just traditional hand-drawn animation though - the makers have clearly spent a great deal of time making the film's look resemble that of the famous book, right down to the tiniest details (snowflakes are Celtic patterns, trees form elaborate archways, etc.). It has a distinctive look that sets it apart - there is no other animated film that looks quite like it.
It proved popular with adults and children alike and indeed there are some moments that perhaps aren't suitable for the youngest of children. The demonic-like appearence of the Norse invaders is a scary creation indeed and calls to mind, in tone if not in style, the hoardes of villains galloping through Ralph Bakshi's animated version of LORD OF THE RINGS.
No news yet on a UK distribution for this, but on the strength of what I've seen it certainly deserves one. Excellent stuff.
It seems like some people I've spoken to have focused on the fact that it looks nothing like a Pixar movie - as if somehow this is how all animated films should look. It's worth pointing out therefore that Pixar movies are popular because of their attention to characters, stories and other such crazy ideas. It's not because they look flashy that keep making tons of money and scooping awards from adult audiences.
In this respect, THE SECRET OF KELLS succeeds, and with flying colours. It is a cracking adventure story that plays on Irish history (it's about the quest to complete the Book of Kells while the Vikings come to invade Ireland) but does not require an understanding or awareness of it. Indeed, in the audience I attended with, I overheard more than one person who was surprised to learn that the book was actually a real object. (It's on display at Trinity College, and I urge you to check it out if you haven't already done so)
However, the look of the film is striking as well, regardless of its absence of 3D computer graphics. It's more than just traditional hand-drawn animation though - the makers have clearly spent a great deal of time making the film's look resemble that of the famous book, right down to the tiniest details (snowflakes are Celtic patterns, trees form elaborate archways, etc.). It has a distinctive look that sets it apart - there is no other animated film that looks quite like it.
It proved popular with adults and children alike and indeed there are some moments that perhaps aren't suitable for the youngest of children. The demonic-like appearence of the Norse invaders is a scary creation indeed and calls to mind, in tone if not in style, the hoardes of villains galloping through Ralph Bakshi's animated version of LORD OF THE RINGS.
No news yet on a UK distribution for this, but on the strength of what I've seen it certainly deserves one. Excellent stuff.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment