Introduction
The plot of Open Your Mind follows the extraterrestrial origin of life, coming from outerspace as six deities (Intermission act), evolving into water (Sho-ho) then emerging to the air (Hyakkin) and to the ground (Ku-nu). Each one of these creatures rules one of the six elements of the godai philosophy, i.e. Earth, Water, Fire, Wind (referred to as kaze in the Hyakkin chant), Sky and Consciousness (referred to as "Awakening" in the movie's title).
(Source: Wikipedia)
Audience reviews
6 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
Terajima
Medium-length movie directed by Mamoru Oshii to represent Japan at the Aichi expo.
Oshii's has touched the visual ceiling of animation, visually I have not seen animation movies as tremendously impressive as 'Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence' or this one. The bad thing is that in 'Open Your Mind' removing the sublime that it is in those aspects, it left me a bit cold in what it tells, I felt like something is missing.
Here we see an association of images and concepts that seem to represent the creation and evolution of life on planet Earth.
It all starts with a meeting of gods of various religions in a forest. All of them are impressive, especially Anubis that seems tremendously powerful and it is to whom more attention is given, possibly for having the same ears as the dogs of the Basset…
Read at the sourceSingan
This movie is certainly among the least known fruits of cooperation between director Mamoru Oshii and composer Kenji Kawai. Just like most Oshii's works, the movie has a rather complex thematic background. However, the topics and the message aren't clearly stated, as the anime is very abstract and open for interpretations - there isn't a story in a typical sense, although the story can be inferred.
STORY
First, the seeds of life are brought to the Earth with meteorites crashing into water, and we see several creatures similar to pagan gods standing silently in the forest. Then 3 acts go, each with its own musical theme: they represent Water, Air, Earth and the life forms there. At last, a figure appears: it looks like an android with multiple hands & faces, and then we see the empty fores…
Read at the sourcetsubagakure
An ancient anime artefact, this is, probably, the only way I can find to describe this relic.
You simply cannot ignore “Mezame no Hakobune”, its power is almost unreal. This CGI animation will pull you from within the depths of the ocean (SHO-HO), as you swam with whales and sharks and rays, lifting you then, leading through a surreal stream of consciousness. Transpiring widely across the skies (HYAKKIN), will acknowledge you as you watch, through the eyes of the seagulls, the land from above. In a more somewhat melancholic, yet enlightened finale (KU-UN), you might question, and wisely doing so, the very origin of life; the genetic roots from humans to dogs.
Oshii Mamoru-san is the director, do I guess that’s everything needed to be said. The soundtrack might surprise you, because this is…
Read at the sourcekaonasi_mV
What did me push to look this roller? The name was pleasant. I expected from the film any wildly philosophical loading which should be submitted in intricate history. But what there was my surprise when any posing appeared only closer to the end at last. I will not tell that before it wasn't. Simply it reminded me the program for music listening, no more. So at once I warn is not any petty history about love.
The film is a mix of computer animation and live shootings, it consists of three parts. And after the endured disappointments and considering, I can declare- it is a tremendous trilogy! Here it is exact: open the reason and enter into the world of dizzy beauty. Plunge on an ocean floor and from there be praised to skies where you will meet the most improbable beings … And this trave…
Read at the sourceSpunkie
Firstly if you went in expecting anything storylike you'll be weirded out. This is an audio/visual experience that's bound to be presented on multi panel display. For those of us watching it on our home theater the effect is hugely diminished.
"Open Your Mind" takes you on a thrill ride to Oshii's mindscape. It can be interpreted as Oshii throwing abrupt imagery at the viewer and it closely resembles a shroom trip. Whatever it is, the strongest emotion present is oneness with the universe. Qatsi Trilogy, especially the latest instalment Naqoyqatsi probably left an impression on Oshii.
Kawai's soundtrack is as sweet and uplifting as ever and saves this otherwise dismissable episode of Oshii.
3D cgi work with lots of composites works well to great %50 of the time, rest of'em comes around…
Read at the sourceearthshine
If i would have to describe Mezame no Hakobune with one word, i'ts gonna be "INHUMAN". There’s no story, no dialogues, and at first glance, the anime doesn't make any sense. While watching the OAV, we’re slowly being pulled into an extraterrestial universe, where various dimensions are overlaping themselves. Not knowing anything about the reality surrounding us, we travel through these weird worlds, trying to understand what’s going on. It’s a voyage of consciousness, mind, and soul.
The animation is quite nice; it’s mostly made of 3d graphics, though there are some live-action scenes as well. Some stunning colors are used (mostly blue/white/gold), but the true beauty of Mezame no Hakobune is definitly the OST. The soundtrack, composed from new age songs, really fits the scenery of the O…
Read at the source