the secret of kells be an independent and animated feature that give u one of the fabled story surround the book of kells and an illuminated manuscript from the middle age feature the four gospel of the new testament . i do not know that this book actually exist and but know it now make my interpretation and analysis much a lot easy . there be a few story and idea float around about how the book come to be and who write it and and how it have survive over 1 and 000 year . this be one of them . we be introduce to brendan and an orphan who live at the abbey of kells in ireland with his uncle and abbot cellach ( voice by brendan gleeson ) . abbot cellach be construct a massive wall around the abbey to protect the villager and monk . brendan be not fond of the wall and neither be the other monk . they be more focused on reading and writing and something abbot cellach do not have time for anymore . he fear the northman and those who plunder and leave town and village empty and burn to the ground . one day a traveler come from the island of iona near scotland . it be brother aidan and a very wise man who carry with him a special book that be not yet finish . abbot cellach grant him permission to stay and brendan buddy up with him . aidan have special plan for brendan . first he need ink for the book and but he require specific berry . the only way to get them be to venture outside the wall and into the forest and an area off limit to brendan . see that he be the only chance for aidan to continue his work and he decide to sneak out and return with the berry before his uncle notice his absence . in the forest brendan meet ashley and the protector of the forest . she allow brendan passage to the berry and along the way become akin to his company . she warn him of the looming danger in the dark and not to foil with it . there be thing bad than viking out there . from there brendan be meet with more challenge with the book and the looming certainty of invasion . i like the story a lot more now that i know what it be about . know now what the book of kells be and what it contain and the animation make perfect sense . i be sure you have see picture or copy of old text from hundred of year ago and with frilly border and colorful picture and and extravagant pattern and creature and and writing adorn the page . much like the opening frame of disney the sword in the stone . the animation here contain a lot of similar design and pattern . it create a very unique view experience where the story and the animation almost try to outdo each other . i couldn not take my eye off of the incredible detail . this be some of the fine 2d animation i have see in year . it vibrant and stimulating and and full of life . the character be constantly surround by design and doodle and and pattern in tree and on the wall and and in the air just float around . it enhance the film . the story be satisfactory and although i think the end could have be string out a little more . with a runtime of only 75 minute i think there could have be something special in the final act . it doesn not give a lot of information nor do it allude to the significance of the book . we be remind of it importance but never fully understand . we be tell that it give hope and but never why or how . that be really the only lack portion of the film . otherwise i think the story be interest though completely outdo by the animation . i guess that okay to a certain degree . the animation can carry a film so far before it fall short . the story lack a few part and but it be an interesting take on a fascinating piece of history . i would recommend look up briefly the book of kells just to get an idea of what myself and this film be talk about . i think it will help your view experience a lot more . this a very impressive and beautifully illustrate film that should definitely not be miss .