The Secret of Kells (2009)
Press play on Tomm Moore's 2009 animated feature and within seconds you're struck dumb by how gorgeous it all is. The vibrant colours, the geometric, illuminated-manuscript art style, the sheer fluidity of the movement across the screen. It's a genuine visual feast, and I mean that without a hint of exaggeration. From the very first frame, it's clear you're watching something made with real passion, real craft, and a deep reverence for its source material.
It's incredibly rare to see Irish folklore captured with this level of artistic care in animation, and Moore clearly poured everything he had into every single frame. That alone sets it apart from the glossy, mass-produced output of the major studios. Where those films often chase spectacle through sheer technical scale, The Secret of Kells earns its wonder through deliberate, considered artistry. You want to pause it, screenshot it, hang it on your wall. It demands that you sit back and just admire the craftsmanship.
And it's not all solemn, mystical brooding either, which I was relieved to discover. The film knows exactly when to lighten the mood. There's a brilliant, literal wild goose chase early on that perfectly captures the chaotic, mischievous energy of the young protagonist, and I found myself genuinely chuckling at several points. The supporting characters provide some excellent comedic friction, making sure the picture never feels too heavy or self-serious, even when the very real threat of Viking raids is looming on the horizon. It strikes a lovely balance between historical weight and youthful adventure, and that's harder to pull off than it looks.
I will concede, though, that the narrative itself is a little thin. Once the initial wonder of the setting settles, the plot beats become fairly predictable, marching towards a standard coming-of-age resolution that doesn't offer many surprises. And it's impossible, watching this, not to compare it to Moore's later work. I thought Song of the Sea was the more emotionally devastating picture by some distance, reaching profound depths that Kells simply doesn't quite manage. The soundtrack here, while decent and appropriately Celtic in flavour, also lacks the haunting, unforgettable punch of that later film's score. Kells is very much the brilliant precursor. The promise of something extraordinary, not quite the fully realised article.
But here's the thing: a slightly predictable storyline doesn't rob the film of its considerable magic. Moore crafted something deeply charming and visually stunning that feels both timeless and refreshingly unique. It's a genuinely special piece of work that proves, emphatically, that you don't need a massive Hollywood budget to create something worth celebrating. It remains a cracking introduction to the studio's golden era, and if you've never seen it, you're doing yourself a disservice.
Three and a half stars.
Rating: ★★★½ | Year: 2009 | Watched: 2026-07-23
Where to watch
Watch in the UK
Stream: Studiocanal Presents Amazon Channel
Rent: Apple TV Store · Amazon Video · Sky Store
Buy: Apple TV Store · Amazon Video · Sky Store
Physical: Amazon UK · Zavvi
Watch in the US
Rent: Amazon Video · Apple TV Store · Google Play Movies · YouTube
Buy: Amazon Video · Apple TV Store · Google Play Movies · YouTube
Physical: Amazon US
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