Song of The Sea DVD Review

Irish Charms

Song of The Sea

Director: Tomm Moore;

Voices: David Rawle, Brendan Gleeson, Lisa Hannigan

Irish animation is not an industry that is particularly well-thought of outside of Ireland. But from the evidence of Song of the Sea, it really should be. The makers of this made The Secret of Kells back in 2009 which we here at Tripwire missed. Song of The Sea is the story of Ben, a little boy who loses his mother Bronach and who is left with his baby sister Saoirse, who turns out to be a magical creature. The pair then find themselves in an adventure that leads back to their mother, an adventure with the aim of freeing Ireland’s faeries from the evil grip of the owl Macha. Comparisons have been made between this and Japan’s Studio Ghibli and they are not without foundation. There is something beautiful and lyrical here about the animated figures who inhabit Ben’s world but it still feels very Irish. Gleeson as Ben’s father is excellent and the voice talent really brings the settings to life. Director Moore and the people who made this and The Secret of Kells have been building up momentum over the past few years and the hope is that, a little bit like Weta and Peter Jackson in New Zealand, they can really bring Irish animation to the fore. Song of the Sea is a sweet and touching family story, bound to appeal to fans of quality animation, which is emotional without being maudlin.

JOEL MEADOWS

Song Of The Sea [DVD]