Stunning visuals and with a cool premise and story, but the execution is a good bit too slow and meandering to properly grip me. Still quite an accomplishment, and recommended to any fan of animation and children's fantasy. ( )

A boy raised by medieval monks under threat of Viking attack befriends a fairy and learns to be an artist.

It's like somebody made a feature film version of Samurai Jack. It's notably missing the beautiful simplicity of story that Jack had, but otherwise the resemblance is uncanny. Which is awesome.

Concept: C
Story: B
Characters: C
Dialog: B
Pacing: B
Cinematography: A
Special effects/design: A
Acting: C
Music: A

Enjoyment: A

GPA: 3.1/4 ( )

The story follows a young scriptorium apprentice, Brendan, who lives in a monastery with his uncle. His uncle focuses on constructing a wall to protect the abbey from Viking invaders, and Brendan explores the local area, helping around the monastery as he can. After the arrival of a mysterious Brother Aidan of Iona, Brendan begins to learn the art of illuminated texts as well as the forest spirits that surround the monastery.

Featuring gorgeous, hand-drawn illustrations, the film's artwork mirrors that of its subject matter. This film, or perhaps selected segments, could be included in an art class or history class doing an unit of illuminated letters. Although it takes place in a different time and setting, the film may also appeal to fans of Disney's Brave (2012) for its similar themes and the perspective of a feisty young person. ( )

Brendan is the nephew of the Abbott priest of Kells. Brendan is interested in creating the Book of Kells with some of the other monks, but his uncle, Abbot, is more worried about building a wall to protect the city of Kells from the destructable vikings. In order to continue work on the Book of Kells Brendan has to go into a dark cave to get a stone. With his befriended fairy Aisling they get the stone that gives the wisdom needed. But once the book is ready to be continued the vikings attack and wound the Abbot. Brendan escapes with the book and finishes it with his mentor, and returns many years later to give it to the Kells. He finds his old uncle Abbot and gives the city the beautiful Book of Kells.

I thought the book was a bit long (50+ pages) for an illustrated children's book but thought it was a great tale. I think my third graders will enjoy the action in it. A great way to share the history of the Book of Kells with children. ( )

Nomiada a los Oscarc "Mejor película de animación". Coproducción irlandesa-francesa-belga- realizada por la empresa de animación irlandesa Cartoon Salon, dirigida por Tomm Moore y Nora Twomey, estrenada el 8 de febrero de 2009 en el Festival Internacional de Cine de Berlín. El 2 de febrero de 2010, fue nominada a los Premios Óscar dentro de la categoría de mejor película de animación del año 2009. La película, ambientada en el siglo IX, cuenta las vicisitudes de un joven fraile que habita en la Abadía de Kells, en el pueblo irlandés de Kells, en el momento en que se iluminaba el famoso Libro de Kells.