Sometimes, in an animated film, you don't need a celebrity-laden voicecast, tons of pop culture jokes and a blaring soundtrack full of the latest chart hits. A strong story, well-written characters, some traditional instrumental music and lovely, colourful, unconventional animation is all you require. Song Of The Sea may not be from a big studio and isn't as flashy as the hugely budgeted CGI releases... But in terms of charm and imagination, it beats most of them hands down.
The plot comes from a traditional Irish legend, concerning a human man who has two children with a sea-dwelling creature, called a 'Silkie'. After the second child (a girl) is born, the Silkie realises she must sacrifice herself in order so that her new daughter must live. Flash forward a few years later, and the infant girl is now a child, resented by her big brother for supposedly making their mother disappear, while their dad is still pining for his lost love. Oh, and for some reason she is a mute.
I won't say any more lest I ruin what lies ahead, but sufficed to say... The girl finding out her secret powers, the development between her relationship with her older sibling, and the strange, mystical legend which encompasses itself into all kinds of mind-boggling situations is a joy to behold. Usually, I like a bit of comedy to go with my animated films... But here, it would only detract from the exhilarating journey our protagonists go on (both physically and spiritually) So I'm MORE than happy to let it slide.
Basically, a thoroughly satisfactory effort, with a real tearjerker of a denouement. Just try to stop those flecks of water from running down...
The plot comes from a traditional Irish legend, concerning a human man who has two children with a sea-dwelling creature, called a 'Silkie'. After the second child (a girl) is born, the Silkie realises she must sacrifice herself in order so that her new daughter must live. Flash forward a few years later, and the infant girl is now a child, resented by her big brother for supposedly making their mother disappear, while their dad is still pining for his lost love. Oh, and for some reason she is a mute.
I won't say any more lest I ruin what lies ahead, but sufficed to say... The girl finding out her secret powers, the development between her relationship with her older sibling, and the strange, mystical legend which encompasses itself into all kinds of mind-boggling situations is a joy to behold. Usually, I like a bit of comedy to go with my animated films... But here, it would only detract from the exhilarating journey our protagonists go on (both physically and spiritually) So I'm MORE than happy to let it slide.
Basically, a thoroughly satisfactory effort, with a real tearjerker of a denouement. Just try to stop those flecks of water from running down...