Blu-Ray Review: Cartoon Saloon's Irish Folklore Trilogy

While Disney has been popular with cinema audiences for generations, the last few decades have seen the likes of Pixar, Studio Ghibli and DreamWorks enter the market and become popular with children and adults alike. However, we’re seeing a number of smaller animation studios, such as Aardman Animations, LAIKA and Studio Ponoc, coming into the mainstream. The best is nestled in Kilkenny in the south-east of Eire. While Cartoon Saloon have only made four feature films, they’ve all been stunning. Studiocanal have brought three of them together in Cartoon Saloon’s Irish Folklore Trilogy.

The Secret of Kells

Brendan (Evan McGuire) is an inquisitee boy living in the Abbey of Kells. He is the ward of his uncle who is obsessed with building a wall to keep The Vikings out, the stern and dedicated Abbot of Cellach (Brendan Gleeson). The young lad is entranced by tales of the Book of Iona and when Brother Aidan (Mick Lally) arrives, fleeing the attacking hordes, the pair strike up a bond. Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey’s bewitching film is a warm-hearted tale of faeries and friendship which introduces the studio’s beguiling traditional style of animation. Digging deep into the history of scripture and religion within the Emerald Isle.

Song of the Sea

Ben (David Rawle) resents his sister Saoirse because on the night she was born his mother disappeared. She has never spoken. They live with their father (Brendan Gleeson), a lighthouse keeper, and a sheepdog Cú. Their grandmother (Fionnula Flanagan) doesn’t feel the island is a fit place to raise children, so takes them to the city. Longing for the sea, the pair escape and encounter the Na Daoine Sídhe and their enemy the Owl Witch. Moore’s wonderful tale delves deep into Irish folklore and the isle’s connection and relationship with the ocean. Creating one of the best animations of the twenty-first century and a truly magical experience for big and little kids alike.

Wolfwalkers

Set during Oliver Cromwell’s campaign against Ireland, English hunter Bill Goodfellow (Sean Bean) is charged with clearing the woods around Kilkenny of wolves by the fearsome Lord Protector (Simon McBurney). His daughter Robyn (Honor Kneafsey) and her pet falcon Merlyn ignore the proclamation to remain within the walls and go on adventures. On one of these forays, she meets Mebh (Eva Whittaker), a wolfwalker who is trying to find her mother who has disappeared. The pair strike up a bond but their backgrounds are fated to bring them into conflict. Moore and Ross Stewart’s film meshes Irish history with legend to create a narrative which works on two different, but seamlessly intertwined, levels. The studio’s craft seems to improve with every film and Robyn’s story is drawn in such vibrant hues.

Cartoon Saloon’s Irish Folklore Trilogy contains three of the best animated films of the twenty-first century. The traditional style of animation is perfect for the subject matter. Using the country’s history and legends to tell sweet and thoughtful tales of friendship and growing up. The visuals embrace elements of myth and religion in countless imaginative ways. What connects them together is the focus on the exuberance and inquisitiveness of young minds. Tomm Moore has used his country’s history and legend to great effect. Weaving them into rambling and rambunctious stories which are full of warmth and good humour. Creating movies which are full of magic, mystery and miracles.

Special features:

The Secret of Kells