- 9
A beguiling kaleidoscopic indulgence for the eyes and soul.
—Michael Rechtshaffen Hollywood Reporter
- 9
A ravishing, continually surprising example of largely hand-drawn animation in the heyday of computer-generated imagery, an inexpensive and sophisticated European production in an age of broad-stroke studio films, even a spirited defense of books and bookishness while Kindles walk the Earth, "Kells" fights the tide every way it can.
—Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times
- 9
...absolutely luscious to behold.
—Leslie Felperin Variety
- 9
...an enchantingly old-fashioned Irish upstart about a medieval boy monk who dreams of illuminating sacred books...
—Ella Taylor LA Weekly
- 9
...an enchantingly old-fashioned Irish upstart about a medieval boy monk who dreams of illuminating sacred books...
—Ella Taylor Village Voice
- 9
A ravishing, continually surprising example of largely hand-drawn animation in the heyday of computer-generated imagery, an inexpensive and sophisticated European production in an age of broad-stroke studio films, even a spirited defense of books and bookishness while Kindles walk the Earth, "Kells" fights the tide every way it can.
—Kenneth Turan Chicago Tribune
- 8
...a magical adventure unlike anything we've seen on screen before.
—Claudia Puig USA Today
- 8
...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.
—A. O. Scott New York Times
- 8
It's easy to see how the animation nominators fell in love with this charmer based on Celtic mythology, which is quite unlike anything I've ever seen before.
—Lou Lumenick New York Post
- 7
Just as every margin of the Book of Kells is crowded with minute and glorious decorations, so is every shot of the film filled with patterns and borders, arches and frames, do-dads and scrimshaw images.
—Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times
- 6
...a beautiful two-dimensional work devoid of dramatic vigor.
—Nick Schager Slant Magazine
- 5
...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.
—Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly
- 4
...the film's central conflicts are too easily approached and dissipated, leaving the tale light and dull at times...
—Chris Cabin filmcritic.com