THE MASK (1994)

Directed By: Chuck Russell
Written By: Mike Werb
Based on a Story by: Michael Fallon & Mark Verheiden
Cinematography By: John R. Leonetti
Editor: Arthur Coburn

Cast: Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz, Peter Greene, Amy Yasbeck, Richard Jeni, Joely Fisher, Peter Riegert


Stanley Ipkiss is a bank clerk that is an incredibly nice man. Unfortunately, he is too nice for his own good and is a pushover when it comes to confrontations. After one of the worst days of his life, he finds a mask that depicts Loki, the Norse night god of mischief. Now, when he puts it on, he becomes his inner, self: a cartoony romantic wild man. However, a small time crime boss, Dorian Tyrel, comes across this character dubbed "The Mask" by the media. After Ipkiss's alter ego indirectly kills his friend in crime, Tyrel now wants this green-faced goon destroyed.

I remember going to see this film in movie theaters. Before this film I was never a fan of Jim Carrey Really but this film made me a huge fan of his. It set’s itself up early as it revolves around a fantasy world and not a real city. So it stays true to it’s graphic novel roots a little. Though where as the graphic novel is more dark and cynical this film is fun and like a live action cartoon with the mask character.
There are deaths in the film that seem to be more about cartoons then violence. That is the beauty of the film where it is more of a kid’s film at heart for adults that kids will naturally want to watch and enjoy.

Jim Carrey at least plays a double sided character instead of him just riffing with his more physical comedy. He plays the shy nice Staley Ipkiss with as fuch energy and fervor as he pays the mask. Who seems to be like all the looney toons characters all rolled up into one. That is the element that attracted him to the role in the first place. He adds his own touches like the banana yellow suit he wears is based on the one his mother made when he first started to perform stand-up. He laso says the way he played the character is based on his father

The film is the acting debut of Cameron Diaz (Who was a last minute replacement for Anna Nicole Smith) and she is the ultimate Femme Fatale as she has never looked as good as she looks here and never been as memorable. Once she comes onto the screen she has one of the most memorable entrances ever.

There is a backwards plot that involves the mask going against the mob and stealing the mobsters girlfriend and just when they set up a romantic rival for Cameron Diaz they dump her just as soon so that out hero can get the girl who led him astray in the first place only in the movies kids. I wish

This is a fun film that utilizes it’s special effects and they look good and natural not fake and too far out. The film is still relevant as it has aged well and is still fun to watch. It’s not quite the risky film that would be made today or even taken a chance of on today I am glad it was made. It’s just the type of off kilter movie that initially you would think would be more of a cult type project but with the addition of Jim Carrey A mainstream star it became a worldwide hit. Followed by a inferior sequel almost a decade later that was even more lighthearted then this film was.

This film has a dark heart that is never given a chance to fully flow, it is more dressed up to make it more mainstream. It’s still a good film. A film where you wish you could have the masks and the power of it. Realizing that half the time how he overreacts to things and contorts is how you wish you could express yourself in similar situations.

Chuck Russell directed this film and for all the verve and inventiveness he brings to this film. He didn’t bring any to his projects after this film. He had one of note before this that I really enjoyed THE BLOB and NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET PART 3: DREAM WARRIORS

GRADE: B