Customer Reviews

Odyssey Into the Mind's Eye [VHS]

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

More than many other computer-animation videos, this one works because it knows what it is. Even the best computer animation cannot compete with reality for realism. (Yes, that's tautological but think about it. Think about ALL tautologies.) Lots of nice chase scenes, which are the strong suit of animation. They're always exciting; they don't require the destruction of millions in cars nor the deployment of cadres of police, and most of all they eye doesn't linger long enough on any one thing to be disturbed by banality. Great detail in computer backgrounds is just as hard to do as great detail in the subject, and a chase focuses the attention. Too, the music is just right for animation. It is properly driving when it needs to be, and it recalls no other music. I dread the day when some fool tries to set an animation to "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik." Mr. Livgren was smarter. The animators also understand that virtual reality really is a mockery of reality, and concentrate on interesting images. I recall my anticipation in 1982 when MTV came out. I thought, "At last. Interesting pictures with the music." Of course we know the story of MTV: a dog's breakfast of arty or quirky shots, quite indigestible, and tiring to the eyes. This DVD however is much better. I've watched it four times. And one scene, with hammers quite pointlessly banging on steel, in a warehouse lit by light coming through slowly rotating fans, sticks in the mind. And it's funny too, something very rare in animation. If you buy one computer animation DVD, let it be this one.

If you enjoyed The Mind's Eye series (Mind's Eye, Beyond, and Gate)you'll enjoy this one. More great computer animation and a fantastic soundtrack from artists Mike Oldfield and Kerry Livgren (former guitarist of rock group Kansas). No extras, I would liked to have had an onscreen menu with a index of the animation sequences. But, other than that the quality is very good.

The graphics are superb. The underwater chase scenes in Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace are very reminiscent of the chase scenes toward the beginning of this video.

If you are a Kansas fan, you'll immediately spot the style of Kerry Livren, the musical genius behind this video. Only two tracks have vocals. One is overtly Judeo/Christian expressing that only the Creator can satisfy. Livgren became a Christian before Kansas disbanded (just listen to Dust in the Wind or The Wall).

The vocal track (next to the last) is the only one I don't like. The vocalist is Kerry's son, Jacob. It would be a good song if it weren't for an unecessary, irritating falsetto part that he sings. It is very badly done.

If you do not like Kansas, you will not like the music. My brother first showed me this video a couple of years ago. I went out and got it myself. As soon as I am finished here I am ordering the DVD!

This is one of the most amazing DVDs you'll ever bare witness. Its combines the best in computer animation, with one of the world's finest musical talents (Kerry Livgren of the rock group Kansas). If you're looking for a DVD to show of your player, or if you got a great home theater system and want to enjoy it, than look no futher than this gem!

I bought the VHS version a while ago, and with the purchase of a DVD player this one was a definate must! (especially when VCR is only mono on a Prologic capable receiver ;) My only disapointment in the DVD ver is that there were no on screen menus, and no 'index sheet' included that tells you where the indexes are (but I got a snappy so I can capture the images and make my own index sheet)

I also noticed a couple minor details that change from dvd and vhs versions. Like the female voice on one of them isn't as loud on dvd as it was on vhs, and 'SMV' logo differs, and there are no "previews" for other movies that are out (one difference I have noticed and liked on all DVD's so far :), like I said nothing major.

BTW, I actually rode on the 'lava car' IWerks turboride when on spring break in smokey mountains, was really cool. you actually saw two movies for the 1 price, this was the 2nd one and people were coming out saying they liked this one over the first one (indy race car one) Can't wait till next one comes out.

Graphics were great!! There were (I believe) 11 tracks, and each track was different in theme, which added spice to the DVD. The entire musical theme was done in a rock musical format, with several tracks (2 or 3) actually had singing in it by Kerry Livgren (who was a member of the group: Kansas). I felt that the music went extremely well with the graphics!! It was very upbeat, not radical or harsh in any way, and there was very little singing in it - just music that helps sweep you away with the beautiful graphics. If you dont like Rock, you may not like this DVD, but I still recomend giving it a try. Some tracks featured spacey worlds, one had dinosaurs, spaceships, underwater scene with a dolphin being chased by a sea monster, tropical islands, robots, and just far out computer animation! Highly recomended - I'd say that this is the best Computer Graphics DVD I've purchased (out of 6 so far).

One of the greatest things in this volume is the fact that it includes one of the funniest computer animation sequences ever. With today's technology, it's no great accomplishment to create wonderful action clips, etc., but it's a great animator that can create truly human humor that makes you howl with laughter. This one does it to the max! One of the funniest sequences ever set to animation is here when a very Orwellian group of hammers pound out a lifeless beat in synch with one another while a rebel hammer plays all of the counter-point and syncopated rythyms, etc -- the peer group pressure builds and the humor is pure belly laugh stuff! Great! The music here is brilliant if you love art rock or what's called "prog" but if you don't, then it's just too much for some I've shown it to. Kerry Livgren's score is very good but the vocal cut at the end is mediocre. (That's the reason for the 4 Star and not 5 rating.) But this is a magnificent effort overall. I have nearly the entire series and know many of the artists involved in making this. This is great stuff. If you want one of the finest titles in the genre, this is it...

Odyssey Into the Mind's Eye is an incredible video that showcases some awesome computer animation, and also has great music to bring the whole thing together. I used to work at a video store and I'd play this tape all the time and I had so many people ask to rent it. I highly recommend it!

More than many other computer-animation videos, this one works because it knows what it is. Even the best computer animation cannot compete with reality for realism. (Yes, that's tautological but think about it. Think about ALL tautologies.) Lots of nice chase scenes, which are the strong suit of animation. They're always exciting; they don't require the destruction of millions in cars nor the deployment of cadres of police, and most of all they eye doesn't linger long enough on any one thing to be disturbed by banality. Great detail in computer backgrounds is just as hard to do as great detail in the subject, and a chase focuses the attention. Too, the music is just right for animation. It is properly driving when it needs to be, and it recalls no other music. I dread the day when some fool tries to set an animation to "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik." Mr. Livgren was smarter. The animators also understand that virtual reality really is a mockery of reality, and concentrate on interesting images. I recall my anticipation in 1982 when MTV came out. I thought, "At last. Interesting pictures with the music." Of course we know the story of MTV: a dog's breakfast of arty or quirky shots, quite indigestible, and tiring to the eyes. This DVD however is much better. I've watched it four times. And one scene, with hammers quite pointlessly banging on steel, in a warehouse lit by light coming through slowly rotating fans, sticks in the mind. And it's funny too, something very rare in animation. If you buy one computer animation DVD, let it be this one.

Into the minds eye lets you take a look at a whole new perspective of computer Animation. With Vivid and Breathtaking sights and wonderful music, I would reccommend this Title To Everyone!