80
With its jewel-bright colors and intricate use of lines, the result is absolutely luscious to behold.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
90
The New York Times by A.O. Scott
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.
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.
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?
80
The movie isn’t quite suitable for the extremely young, but its apocalyptic tint may be catnip for smart preteens. They’ll breathe in the chilly air of a mysterious forest--the way forests should be.
88
Quite unlike anything I've ever seen before.
80
The Hollywood Reporter by Michael Rechtshaffen
Kells proves that in the increasingly high-tech world of feature animation, there still can be a place for old-time tradition.
50
Entertainment Weekly by Owen Gleiberman
Regrettably, the film's story is so busy yet flat that the effect isn't magical -- it's more like watching the tale of some very enchanted wallpaper.
90
Boxoffice Magazine by Pam Grady
The exquisite art and fairytale ambience will win over animation fans and children alike.