Directed by:
Tomm MooreComposer:
Bruno CoulaisCast:
Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, Pat Shortt, David Rawle, Jon Kenny, Lisa Hannigan, Lucy O'Connell, Paul Young, Grethe MogensenVOD (2)
Plots(1)
From the creators of the Academy Award®-nominated The Secret of Kells comes a breathtakingly gorgeous, hand-drawn masterpiece. Based on the Irish legend of the Selkies, Song of the Sea tells the story of the last seal-child, Saoirse, and her brother Ben, who go on an epic journey to save the world of magic and discover the secrets of their past. Pursued by the owl witch Macha and a host of ancient and mythical creatures, Saoirse and Ben race against time to awaken Saoirse's powers and keep the spirit world from disappearing forever. As enthralling for adults as it is for children young and old, Song of the Sea is a wonder of magical storytelling and visual splendor that is destined to become a classic. (GKIDS)
(more)Reviews (5)
The European Road to Fantasy, endowed by Tomm Moore with his typical mysterious veil and lightly growing spirit of adventure. The Celtic legends, in their freshness, enchant you perfectly well and there was no need to get into a confused bearded man or a fight with the owls. Just a look at the group of seals and it is clear that something great is beginning here. Ben's journey to save mythical creatures and his own adulthood is an unobtrusive but all the more impressive bit of magic.
()
Brendan and the Secret of Kells had already convinced me that Tomm Moore is a creator whose work is worth following. It is a joy to see a film that can work with fairytale motifs and appeal to adults without relying on pop culture references. The film, which cleverly combines Irish mythology with the present, manages to avoid cheap sentimentality while telling stories that directly invite emotional manipulation. A bonus is the original visual design, which not only surpasses what Disney has achieved in animated films but also defies the standards of contemporary American animation and computer graphics. Personally, I give it a thumbs up and I would just add a warning: Song of the Sea is not suitable for young children due to how it is made, and not just because it is shown in its original language. The ballad-like story and philosophical depth will appeal more to older viewers. Overall impression: 90%.
()
What The Secret of Kells failed to do for me, Song of the Sea did perfectly. I felt like I lived this story fully and enjoyed it immensely. It is such a nice combination of a fairy tale and Celtic mythology that it is lovely to watch. As with The Secret of Kells, the nice and colorful animation is worth mentioning, which, especially in the last part (when Saoirse starts singing), turns into what I think is a really beautiful visual experience. If I add to this the soundtrack, which is simply magical (especially the main theme’s melody), the interesting characters, led by the incredibly cute Saoirse, and the movie’s narrative, which is quite straightforward yet emotional, I had a great experience. Therefore, it quite obviously deserves five stars and 10/10.
()
Song of the Sea reminded me, like many here, of Hayao Miyazaki's phenomenal Spirited Away, and while Tomm Moore's film didn't grab me as much as its "Japanese cousin", it’s still a beautifully told story with distinctive animation and more than one strong moment. The film offers a beautiful and sad tale of a family straddling the line between the real and fairy tale worlds, which can both be warm and cruel. I was intrigued by the diverse characters that Ben and Saoirse met on their adventurous journey, like the bearded Seanchaí or the ambiguous Macha, and overall, I loved the magical story of the Song of the Sea and the setting of magical Ireland.
()
It's a beautiful example of how interesting animated films can be created without unnecessary reliance on 3D animation or an American style. Films that are both original and beautiful can indeed be created, especially those that embody the beauty of fairy tales while also incorporating the thoughtfulness of their Asian counterparts. Beautiful animation with a beautiful story.
()
Ads