Review of Mind Game (2004) by Jonathan C — 18 Jul 2010

With so many conventional movies like Shrek and Ice Age coming from the western film world, it's sometimes hard to answer the question "what can two-dimensional cartoons do that three-dimensional movies can't?" Mind Game gives a decisive answer: "plenty" and then goes on to blow your...well, mind.

A psychedelic story about rebirth and self-discovery, Mind Game is a smorgasbord of animation styles, so don't think that it's an "just another anime style movie" because it's produced in Japan. Although the majority of the film takes on a loose, sketchy style that portrays the goofy characters, there is plenty of dabbling in rotoscope and 3D.

As for the story, Mind Game lends itself to an easy synopsis, with plenty of details to fill in the gaps should you decide to rewatch the film (and you should!). To put the story simply, a young man of 20 has lived his life timidly, and is killed for a half-hearted response. After a brief argument with God, he bursts back to life with the vow to live decisively. After a daring escape with the girl of his dreams and her sister, he finds his resolve tested when they are all swallowed by a whale, and meet an old man who has lived there for more than 30 years.

Of course, if a fast-paced, somewhat non-linear storyline and a tendency towards nonsensical humor can confuse you, Mind Game may not be for you.