Song of the Sea Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Song of the Sea Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 24, 2021

In 2009, writer/director Tomm Moore made a dent in the notoriously competitive animation marketplace with “The Secret of Kells,” a charming adventure that eventually worked its way to an Academy Award nomination. Not too shabby for a modestly budget effort from Ireland. Eschewing a bold follow-up to play into industry trends, Moore returns with “Song of a Sea,” another delightfully modest picture that trusts in the power of imagery and amplifies a spectacularly successful sense of emotion. A gorgeously crafted take on Celtic myths and sibling bonds, “Song of the Sea” is a soulful smash, with Moore absolutely nailing the needs the heart to go along with his command of traditional animation.

Years ago, young Ben (voiced by David Rawle) watched his mother, Bronagh (Lisa Hannigan), disappear under mysterious circumstances. Slightly resentful of his duties as a big brother to Saoirse (Lucy O’Connell), Ben passes the days with his imagination and his loyal dog. One day, while poking around in Ben’s room, Saoirse discovers a special shell flute given to the boy by Bronagh. When her curiosity to play the instrument awakens a magical realm of fairies and malevolent owls, Saoirse discovers her true form as a Selkie, a seal-child destined to return to the sea with help from a special coat. While his father, Conor (Brendan Gleeson), remains lost in grief and Granny (Fionnula Flanagan) doesn’t believe in such matters, Ben finds himself caught up in the quest, helping Saoirse fulfill her destiny and protect her from the wicked witch Macha (Flanagan).

“Song of the Sea” preserves a storybook atmosphere, taking the tale to a corner of Ireland, where Conor has raised his family inside a lighthouse, allowing his children to have a relationship with isolation and the ocean. The picture actually begins with the saga of Bronagh, who, while pregnant with Saoirse, was called away in front of Ben’s sleepy eyes, leaving her husband in a state of shock and the boy confused, with only the shell flute’s distant music to comfort him. Screenwriter William Collins does an economical job getting the audience up to speed with the domestic situation, while the magical properties of “Song of the Sea” take a little longer to sink in. Moore doesn’t want to spoil the excitement of discovery, leaving explanations few and far between. In a rare moment of trust, the production leaves a grander comprehension of the Selkie myth to the viewer, with clues, discussion, and visual evidence creating an inviting depiction of otherworldly urgency. The lack of handholding is refreshing and, never fear, your kids will probably be one step ahead of you.

Most of the movie belongs to Ben’s mission of protection, trying to wrap his mind around what’s happening to his little sister, who’s in touch with magic, but weakening with every forward step, in need of a coat that permits access to an underwater realm. As expected of parents and guardians, the outerwear is discarded as fantasy, forcing the children to retrieve it on their own, with their happy sheepdog helping them along the way. The journey is fraught with peril, with owls and their airborne attacks hindering progress, giving the pair a glimpse of Macha’s wrath. There are moments of joyful discovery as well, found in a meeting with music-loving fairies who are delighted to meet the last Selkie, requiring her magic to remain in motion, away from Macha’s stone-based imprisonment, keeping their essence in jars.

There’s plenty of incident to keep “Song of the Sea” exciting, studying Ben’s bravery and wonder as he experiences a whole new reality underwater, while in awe of his sister’s secret purpose, determined to protect her at all costs. However, animation tends to trigger the most awe, with stunning 2D artistry feeling around this strange universe, creating distinct personalities and exquisite locations in both the real and unreal worlds. Moore’s direction is often subtle, but he builds a wondrous universe for “Song of the Sea,” filled with indelible imagery and endearing characters.

Song of the Sea Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Song of the Sea" was originally released on Blu-ray in 2015, with Shout Factory bringing the feature back to disc in 2021. The AVC encoded image (1.84:1 aspect ratio) presentation appears to be the same as the previous release, offering a vibrant palette that supports the fairy tale aspects of the animation. Bright golds and silvers capture magical interests, and deep blue waters and Irish greenery are distinct. Creative textures remain in the animation, with sharp character designs and highly decorated landscapes. Delineation is satisfactory.

Song of the Sea Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix provides an immersive understanding of the "Song of the Sea" world, leading with crisp dialogue exchanges that secure dramatic moods, heavy accents, and delicate child performances. Scoring supports with authority, with deep strings and assorted Irish sounds, reaching into the surrounds. Atmospherics are also appealingly circular, offering pressurized underwater visits and weather changes. Sound effects are appreciable. Low-end isn't challenged in full, but more active moments register with weight.

Song of the Sea Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Thom Moore.

• Behind the Scenes (2:50, HD) is a frustratingly brief look at the creation of "Song of the Sea," speeding through production achievements and video footage. Commentary features director Thom Moore.

• Animation Tests (7:48, HD) provide a look at the stages of production on "Song of the Sea." Commentary features director Thom Moore.

• "The Art of 'Song of the Sea'" (7:25, HD) collects pre-production and animation images from the film.

• And a Conceptual Trailer (:56, HD), Theatrical Trailer #1 (1:06, HD), and Theatrical Trailer #2 (1:55, HD) are included.

Song of the Sea Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

What's most surprising about "Song of the Sea" is its emotional content, nurturing a slow commitment to the characters and their renewed fear of loss. While the picture closes with bittersweet business, it's beautifully handled by the production, retaining a joy for life as it reminds us of its limitations. "Song of the Sea" packs a wallop, but it earns every tear and smile, emerging as a masterfully crafted look at the power of myth and magic, and the particular bond of family.