The Secret of Kells (2009. Ireland, Belgium, France)
Refreshingly different precisely because its look is so profoundly retro, Brendan and the Secret of Kells harks back not just to older animation styles but to premedieval illuminated manuscript tradition. With its jewelbright colors and intricate use of lines, the result is absolutely luscious to behold. Evoking the simplified drawings of children s books, the pic will most please the underserved 3 to 10yearold demographic (even though bits are quite scary) and parents, but older kids may be sniffier, especially given the earnest, jokelight screenplay. Theatrical prospects, even in Europe, look tricky, but Brendan could reap lots of ancillary
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