Mind Game Blu-ray Review

Presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, "Mind Game" receives a sparkling new scan for Blu-ray that exemplifies the capabilities of 1080p resolution. The transfer brings to life the film's vivid and eclectic palette, with each frame bursting with vibrant colors and intricate details. Image depth is commendable, and black levels are rendered with a precision that adds dimensionality to the viewing experience. Despite the complexity of its varying animation techniques, digital imperfections are minimal, save for slight banding typical of animated releases.

"Mind Game" defies conventional Japanese animation norms with its avant-garde art style and chaotic yet harmonious blend of animation techniques. The movie is a visual kaleidoscope, incorporating everything from rotoscoped photographs to primitive polygonal graphics. This approach serves Masaaki Yuasa's narrative vision, making the film a surreal, engaging spectacle. The meticulous BD-50 AVC encode captures the film’s idiosyncratic animations effectively, ensuring that each stylistic shift—from grotesque imagery to swirling beauty—translates seamlessly to the screen. GKIDS has truly outdone themselves with this presentation, which sets a benchmark for animated films on Blu-ray.

The disc’s 1080p resolution brings unprecedented clarity, so much so that it feels as if the animation intricacies can be fully appreciated for the first time. The dynamic and non-linear narrative is well-supported by the high-quality transfer, maintaining the fluidity and kinetic energy of the project’s various styles. As the 103-minute feature unfolds, the robust digital transfer preserves its artistic integrity, making it arguably the definitive home viewing experience for this unconventional masterpiece.

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA Japanese audio track for "Mind Game" delivers an intricate and engaging sonic experience that perfectly complements its wild visual extravaganza. Vocals are generally crisp and clear, though occasional quiet mutterings by Nishi might require volume adjustments. The front sound stage is impressively nuanced, capturing everything from subtle auditory details like the beeps and chirps of the external world to the delicate drops of rain at pivotal moments. Surround channels contribute significantly, with ambient sounds such as the eerie drip noises from inside the whale's belly or the creaks of the wooden boards in the old man's hideaway. The car chase sequences and other kinetic scenes add to the excitement with lively and precise sound placements that envelop the listener.

While the LFE usage is somewhat irregular, it provides powerful and punchy bass during action scenes, yet comfortably retreats during more introspective moments, maintaining balance. The mix's dynamic range handles quiet conversations and violent outbursts adeptly, with satisfying echoes enriching crowded scenes. The score by Seiichi Yamamoto is artistically blended into the mix, enhancing the film's chaotic fun without overpowering dialogue or effects. Though immersion is adequate, it tends to sparingly utilize the surround channels beyond ambient support, favoring a strong front-channel emphasis. Overall, this DTS-HD MA presentation offers a vibrant audio experience that bolsters "Mind Game’s" unique and frenetic energy.

The extra features included in the Blu-ray release of "Mind Game" are a compelling suite of content showcasing the intricate creative process behind the animation. The feature-length animatic stands out as an exceptionally rare inclusion, offering invaluable insights into the film’s storyboard development for budding animators. Additionally, the scenes with director Masaaki Yuasa's commentary present meticulous breakdowns of pivotal sequences, enriched by his keen attention to visual details and narrative elements, despite the subpar video quality. The production artwork gallery is divided into distinct categories like background designs, character designs, and mechanics/props, allowing for an in-depth appreciation of the movie's artistic foundation. Furthermore, the theatrical trailer encapsulates the film’s vibrant and surreal essence.

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature Length Animatic: Valuable for aspiring storyboard artists, plays in a small box during the movie.
• Scenes with Director Commentary: Masaaki Yuasa provides detailed dissection of several sequences.
• Production Artwork Gallery: Includes background designs, character designs, and mechanics/props.
• Trailer: Captures the film’s vibrant spirit.

Masaaki Yuasa's 2004 film "Mind Game" is a unique, surreal adventure that defies standard conventions of visual storytelling. Known for his later work on "Devilman Crybaby," Yuasa's earlier film transcends typical narrative structures and blends a multitude of animation styles, making it a visually and emotionally intriguing piece. Centered around Nishi, a young manga artist, the plot is as fluid and disjointed as the art itself. After being shot by a yakuza thug and meeting an ever-changing god in limbo, Nishi returns to Earth a changed man, fleeing with childhood friend Myon and her sister, Yan. Their journey takes them through a high-speed chase, ending up in the belly of a gigantic whale where they encounter an old man who has lived there for 30 years.

"Mind Game" excels in presenting a visual cacophony, transitioning seamlessly between hand-drawn sketches, CGI elements, photo collages, and bits of rotoscoping. This collage of styles creates an experience that's almost like watching a liquid Picasso painting in motion. However, this also means that the film demands complete attention to navigate its intricate visual language and narrative flow. The movie occasionally sacrifices coherence for artistic experimentation, which can be both its charm and its downfall. Some might find the abrupt shifts in animation styles and the narrative's non-linear progression challenging to follow, viewing it as "style over substance." Yet, for those willing to immerse themselves fully, "Mind Game" offers a rewarding exploration of existential themes and character growth.

The film's eclectic style extends to its storytelling, blending surreal, existential atmosphere with moments of black comedy and mature themes. "Mind Game" is less about a cohesive plot and more about experiencing its vivid characters and their emotionally charged journey. It’s an arthouse voyage that eschews traditional three-act structures in favor of an intense focus on visual metaphors and poetic themes. While not for everyone, especially mainstream audiences looking for conventional anime fare, Yuasa’s "Mind Game" stands out as an audacious work meant for animation enthusiasts eager to push the boundaries of the medium.

Mind Game is an exceptional and revolutionary animated feature crafted by Masaaki Yuasa that boldly extends the frontiers of animation. This film is a shot of pure adrenaline, seamlessly blending absurd storytelling, chaotic violence, and implied sexuality into a vibrant tapestry of visual artistry. The narrative may appear incoherent and disjointed to some, but it's precisely these elements that showcase Yuasa's uninhibited imagination and finesse in pushing creative boundaries. The characters, although caught in a maelstrom of madness, are endearing and add a relatable touch to this visually and thematically unconventional piece.

The Blu-ray release by Shout Factory delivers an impressive A/V presentation with the film presented in a crystal-clear 2.39:1 AVC format and audio enriched by the Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1 track. Subtitles are available in English and French, catering to an international audience. However, while the video and audio qualities are top-notch, the selection of extras is somewhat limited, narrowing to a few yet high-quality inclusions. Despite this, the overall package allows the film’s vibrant and erratic aesthetic to shine through effectively, preserving its artistic integrity.

Conclusion

This has been the day for reviewing trippy films hasn’t it? First, it was David Lynch’s Wild at Heart and now Masaaki Yuasa’s Mind Game (which really IS a mind game if you think about it). I really do enjoy Mind Game as a wonderful piece of visual art, but it is most definitely a strange film. Yuasa seamlessly blends incoherent storytelling, absurd violence, and implied sexuality (definitely NOT a children’s movie), and lovely artwork into a fascinating project that put him on the map in 2004. Shout Factory’s Blu-ray is excellent across the board, with good video, good audio, and a very solid array of limited extras as well. Mind Game will not be for everyone, but any anime fan who considers himself an anime enthusiast at least owes it to himself to check the film out. Recommended.

Technical Specifications:

Starring: Koji Imada, Sayaka Maeda, Takashi Fujii
Directed by: Masaaki Yuasa, Koji Morimoto
Written by: Masaaki Yuasa (Screenplay), Robin Nishi (Comic)
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 AVC
Audio: Japanese : DTS-HD MA 5.1
Subtitles: English, French
Studio: Shout Factory
Rated: NR
Runtime: 104 Minutes
DVD Release Date: August 28th, 2018

Recommendation: Recommended