The Mask (1994)
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The Mask Movie Review
The Mask is a 1994 superhero comedy film directed by Chuck Russell and starring Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz. It is a silly, but undeniably charming and fun flick.
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“Ooh, somebody stop me!“
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Stanley, a meek bank employee, turns into an eccentric and maniacal green-skinned superhero who can bend reality, after wearing a wooden mask that was created by Loki, the Norse god of mischief. This movies was based on a comic book series and it’s a rare superhero comedy released in the 20th century. It did not fully work, but I respected it for what it is, which is a fun romp for the whole family.
1994 also saw the release of ‘Dumb and Dumber’, being easily Carrey’s most iconic year of his career. In this film Carrey was perfectly cast and nobody could have really played the main role as well as he did with his manic and over-the-top mannerisms. In fact, the filmmakers admitted that they did not have to spend so much money on the VFX because the actor provided the majority of those facial expressions all on his own.
The movie also saw the debut of Cameron Diaz, who was just radiant and so charming in the role of the protagonist’s love interest. Their chemistry was on point and this relationship worked as both characters were likable and fun. It’s a shame that the villains were disposable, but at least the heroes were excellent.
The Mask features a terrific score, accomplished sound and strong cinematography. It also features special effects that have aged very well with the movie still looking great to this day. The energy is extremely high and the pacing very frenetic to the point of exhaustion. The same goes for the silliness that abounds in each frame. But when viewed in the right frame of mind, the movie has a charm of its own and it’s difficult not to be swept away with this playful and crazy world.
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My biggest gripe with the movie is that it wasn’t animated. Again, Diaz and Carrey were both superb, but this type of material is best suited for the cartoon medium, and it was odd seeing some of the more cartoony moments with facial expressions and the character bending his body at will and changing the laws of gravity. I liked how these scenes were executed and they were stylish and fun, but an animated treatment would have led to a much more effective and funnier outing.
The Mask is a superhero comedy that really only could have been made in the nineties. Its frenetic pacing, immense silliness and extreme energy were both its strength and its weakness. Jim Carrey was perfectly cast in the main role and this is one of his best turns to date. Cameron Diaz was also terrific in her debut. The movie is fun and funny, visually dazzling and charming, but I could not help but wonder whether live-action was the best medium for this over-the-top and cartoony character.
My Rating – 3.5
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