'The Secret of Kells' is a secret success

"The Secret of Kells" stirred up a lot of buzz when it received a surprise Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature, becoming the dark horse to upset "Up." 

The film, a French-Belgian-Irish collaboration, takes place in a medieval Irish town called the Abbey of Kells and revolves around Brendan (Evan McGuire), the young nephew of the town Abbot (Brendan Gleeson). The Abbot has prohibited his nephew from ever leaving Kells, fearing the danger that lies in the forest beyond. But when the famous Brother Aidan (Mick Lally) comes to town and shows off the legendary Book of Iona, Brendan becomes interested in the outside world. Brother Aidan soon takes an interest in Brendan and decides that he is the one to complete the Book (which later becomes known as the Book of Kells). 

The world of film is defined by the gorgeous landscapes that surround the abbey and the town. At its brightest — when, for instance, we indulge in the mysterious, densely layered colors of the forest foliage — it's a treat for the eyes. At its darkest, in the abbey tower and other claustrophobic locations, it's a gloomy, sometimes frightening film that makes us beg for the light. The rollicking score matches the beautiful images, soaring between the bluffs and over the hills.

Unfortunately, the film falls into some age-old cliches. The Abbot is obsessed with fortifying the town, afraid of the forest and also afraid of The Northmen, a horde of faceless, godless, black-cloaked Vikings that pillage and burn everything in their path. Perhaps they are the perfect foil to the God-fearing, humble people of Kells, but already the cliche of dark-versus-light has reared its boring head.

As that duality might suggest, the film is also heavy on pseudo-religious propaganda. Brendan must complete "The Good Book," which is repeatedly referred to as having the power to bring light to the darkness and to blind any sinners who look upon it. The movie never explains how this book of illustrations can have such great power, but if you're a Christian, you know by default.

Still, the film does have some complex characters and themes. There is always something refreshing about watching a boy with such wholesome naivete going out into the world to make something of himself. Though it has its shortcomings, "The Secret of Kells" is much more than just the weird little movie competing against "Up."