The Mask

Cast: Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz, Peter Riegert, Peter Greene and Amy Yasbeck

Director: Chuck Russell

Release date: 1994

Running Time: 1hr 41 minutes

Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Format: Blu-Ray

Synopsis: 

Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey) is a very nice bank clerk, sometimes a little bit too nice, to the point he becomes a bit of a pushover when it comes to confrontations. One day after a bad night he finds a mask that resembles Loki the norse night god of mischief, once he puts on the mask he becomes his inner self a crazy wild romantic!

Based very loosely on the comic book series of the sane name by Dark Horse Comics, Chuck Russell delivers a fantastically entertaining film. Jim Carrey is fabulous as Stanley Ipkiss. Stanley is a really nice guy, he wants to please everyone, he's also has a strong obsession with cartoons. Jim's characterisation in this film is something else. The transition that he's able to show between Stanley and "The Mask" is amazing! You honestly wouldn't believe it's the same man. His character is a lot of fun and brilliantly entertaining. Nothing is going right for Stanley until he finds the Mask when all of a sudden he gets handed everything to him on a plate, including ladies! We're introduced to a very young Cameron Diaz as Tina Carlyle,  bad guy Dorian (Peter Green's) girlfriend. Tina aspires to be a nightclub singer, however she finds herself quickly taken in by the wrong crowd. Peter Green is great as Dorian, he's the ultimate comic book bad guy. His character gets very interesting through out the film.

The storyline is very well written and wonderfully entertaining, Russell has done a terrific job directing, it has a real feel good vibe to it. This film was not intended to be taking seriously. It's all about the fun! Stanley's alternate ego is a cartoon in his own right. Carrey is wonderfully flamboyant and is really able to show cartoonish characteristics as The Mask. He's absolutely hilarious. Cameron Diaz's role isn't massive, however she still delivers a very sexy performance as Tina. Her relationship with The Mask is great, they both share really good chemistry on screen together. There is a fantastic dance sequence between the both of them. The scene is really bouncy and fun.

Beautifully shot with excellent use of colour! Director of photography John R. Leonetti has done a wonderful job in creating a colourful and entertaining film. The special effects are absolutely brilliant, especially in how The Mask is captured on screen. Fantastic visual effects by Industrial Light and Magic and Digital Domain. Awesome moments where The Mask's eyes are seen popping, body popping and amazing dance sequences. Excellent use of colour and bright lighting really adds to the tone of the film, making it really feel good and creating a great comic book vibe. The costume department have worked really hard on this film especially with The Mask's wardrobe, he's wearing something different in every single scene. It's colourful and flamboyant just like Carrey's character.

Of course this film wouldn't be complete without a wonderful score. The Irish Film Orchestra have done a magnificent job with the score to this film, not only have they managed to make the soundtrack fun and uplifting, they've managed to give it quite a dark side, particularly when Dorian and his gangsters are on screen. I love the use of Jazz and swing too, especially when Carrey and Diaz are seen dancing at the cocobama club. Fun and entertaining. The Mask is not too be taken too seriously.

Wacky, fun and highly entertaining!

5/5 stars