The Secret of Kells
  • Studio: Gkids
  • Release Date: Mar 5, 2010
Metascore
81 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
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  1. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    88
    A visually overwhelming labor of love, a hand-drawn medieval adventure tale that seeks and finds cosmic connections.
  2. Boxoffice Magazine
    Reviewed by: Pam Grady
    90
    The exquisite art and fairytale ambience will win over animation fans and children alike.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    90
    Teaches important lessons in the most casual, joyful way. How it manages to do that is probably the biggest secret of all.
  4. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    88
    Quite unlike anything I've ever seen before.
  5. NPR
    Reviewed by: Bob Mondello
    85
    There's something kind of captivating about a film that's been painstakingly drawn to glorify the craft of illustration, and that's comfortable using retro techniques. Because after all, what else makes sense for bringing to life the gold and scarlet ornamentation in ancient manuscripts?
  6. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Andrew O'Hehir
    90
    A gorgeous transcription of medieval decorative art and its themes into a contemporary animated narrative, one that should enthrall children older than 8 or so, along with the adults lucky enough to watch with them.
  7. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: A.O. Scott
    90
    It is only fitting that a movie concerned with the power and beauty of drawing -- the almost sacred magic of color and line -- should be so gorgeously and intricately drawn.
  8. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    88
    The Secret of Kells is a magical adventure unlike anything we've seen on screen before.
  9. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Ella Taylor
    90
    Gorgeously mounted tale of enlightenment through art and courage.
  10. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Joe Morgenstern
    90
    This wonderfully strange and exquisite little feature was created, especially for young children, to celebrate the book through another kind of illumination that's been falling into disuse--hand-drawn animation.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Zal
    9
    In terms of animation style and visuals, this movie is gorgeous. I had to watch it several times just to take it all in. Something about it reminds me of Samurai Jack. On a story and character level, this movie is solid. The characters are mostly basic, but likable and well developed. I just wish there was more.… Full Review »
  2. TitaniumDragon
    5
    This movie is beautiful but suffers from a singular flaw: it doesn't really go anywhere. The Book of Kells is simply not something that most people in the world know or care about, so the climax of the movie being that the book is DONE is, well, anticlimatic. There is no closure with Ashley, there is no real resolution of mystery, and indeed overall only two characters develop, and then not enough to really feel like adequate payoff. The climax for most audiences comes in halfway, with the theft of the eye.

    It's worth watching once to appreciate the artistry, but it left me unfulfilled.    … Full Review »
  3. AoKuroiRaccoon
    8
    Very beautiful, fun and color-filled. It is interesting as a children's movie due to its art cinema characteristics and to the emphasis put into its visual artistic style. You may often find funny moments but this movie is not meant for a mindless audience. It takes the viewer through a wonderful and mythical story inspired in ancient Irish folk, filled with simple yet breathtaking scenes and a friendly atmosphere that will blow you away with creativity. Perfect for imaginative minds such as children.… Full Review »
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