The ocean is never still and neither is life. As I get older in my lifetime I’m beginning to accept that change is going to be a constant in this world. The world of animation is currently going through a changing of the guards, as fabled director Hayo Miyazaki retires. Those are some rather large shoes to fill, and my hope has always been that someone would step up and bring forth a groundbreaking animated feature. There have been some decent attempts, but no studio has come closer than Cartoon Saloon.
They made a splash with their first animated feature, The Secret of Kells, a film whose trailer alone had me rushing out to purchase a Blu-ray copy. Well, Cartoon Saloon’s second feature, Song of the Sea, is officially hitting theaters with a limited release while also being nominated for best Animated Feature in the 2015 Oscars. I had the opportunity to sit down and watch a screening of the movie. So how does it compare to The Secret of Kells? Is Cartoon Saloon the next Studio Ghibli?
The Story
Here’s a brief synopsis that I intend to keep spoiler-free as the movie is a delight to watch and is something to behold. That being said, the film largely revolves around the world of myth. Specifically, Celtic myths of old.
Our story revolves around a small family with the two main characters of Ben and Saoirse. They live in a lighthouse by the sea. The family is still dealing with the loss of the mother, each of them dealing with it in their own way. Granny thinks it’s best if she takes the kids to the city where they can live safely with her. During their stay with Granny, the kids decide they want to go back and begin a journey home. Guided only by a song that was sung by their mother that links them to the world of Celtic myths.
Presentation
To say this movie is gorgeous is really putting it lightly. There are few animated films that put this much attention into the details. Every scene you’ll find yourself looking at everything in depth and always finding something new that you missed the first time. The style of animation is superb as it creates a nice contrast of both simplicity and detail. Kind of a Samurai Jack meets Miyazaki. The quality is top notch, which is amazing considering just how good this looks even compared to their first film, The Secret of Kells. My only complaint with the movie is the pacing. I felt more time could have been devoted to the myths first, before exploring them later in the film.
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Sound
I’ve already reviewed the Song of the Sea Soundtrack in depth, but there needs to be a mention for the awesome sound work that was done. The music is simply amazing, while the SFX and background noises add to a very rich palette. Essentially, you are absorbed within the beauty that surrounds.
Overall
I certainly enjoyed the film and recommend it to almost anyone. It’s a family film with a lot of heart. That being said, I think I preferred The Secret of Kells; it seemed to be better paced. Though by any standards this film is amazing and should certainly be watched, especially in theaters. If you are looking for the next Studio Ghibli-like film, Song of the Sea will certainly delight.