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| The Mask (1994)
  
Starring: Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz Director: Chuck Russell Rating: PG-13 Category: Comedy  |
Years before Jim Carrey was respected as a dramatic actor, the "rubber face" stand up-comedian paid his rent as one of many stars on the sketch comedy show "In Living Color." His big-screen debut as the incorrigible pet detective Ace Venture gained Carrey widespread exposure as an upcoming comic, but it was his performance in the 1994 slapstick comic-book-to-film adaptation of "The Mask" that paved his path to box office gold. Co-starring fellow unknown Cameron Diaz and featuring groundbreaking special effects, "The Mask" is a comic classic that revolutionized the use of CGI in film and introduced the hilarious Carrey as the forerunner in the next generation of Hollywood blockbusters.
Carrey stars as Stanley Ipkiss, a nice-guys-finish-last bank clerk whose life is turned around when he discovers a mysterious mask floating in a nearby river. When his curiosity sways him to put on the mask after another depressing night, he unexpectedly transforms into the Mask, a shape-shifting, wise-cracking cartoon with the special powers of a superhero. Instead of using his powers for good, Stanley begins to exact revenge on the city bullies, and gains a new enemy with Dorian Tyrell (Peter Greene) when he beats his gang to a bank job and steals his woman (Diaz) at the local hotspot. Stanley refuses to return to his safe, boring life before the Mask, but the green-faced character is on the police hit list and Dorian wants the power of the mask for his own, and will stop at nothing to get it.
"The" Mask" is a fun mix of action, comedy and romance that wouldn't have been possible without Jim Carrey, who commands the physically demanding lead role with the same kind of exuberant confidence that has since turned him into a star. Don't expect too much from "The Mask" outside of what Carrey brings to the project though, because the writing is only mediocre compared to the obvious improvisations performed by the actors. Overall, the film is a colorful live-action vision of what it would be like to live inside a Tex Avery cartoon, where giant mallets can be pulled from pockets and ticking bombs swallowed whole. Revolutionizing the industry with its amazing CGI-driven cartoon visuals and welcoming a comic genius to the front lines of Hollywood, "The Mask" holds a special place in film history that everybody has enjoyed at least once.
DVD Review:
"The Mask" has been re-released on DVD under New Line's Platinum Series brand and includes a new selection of special features. The film has been transferred over in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and includes an EX 5.1 Surround Sound audio track, making each and every outrageous gag look and sound absolutely amazing. The bonus material on the single disc starts off with two full-length audio commentary tracks, and follows up with deleted scenes with optional director commentary, four production featurettes, and the original theatrical trailer.
The first commentary track includes various crew members from the production of the film, while the second track is the original 1996 DVD audio commentary with director Chuck Russell. The second audio commentary is actually more favorable than the newer track, simply because it features the only relevant voice (the director's) other than the much-desired Jim Carrey. While it's nice to hear input from guys like the cinematographer on how certain visuals were created, it's a complete disaster trying to decipher that information while six guys are talking at once.
Only two deleted scenes actually made the final cut of the DVD, and boy are they a complete waste of time. Along with an alternate opening that shows famous Viking Erik the Red literally discovering America in order to hide the infamous mask, fans can also experience the death of backstabbing journalist, Peggy. The numerous featurettes on the disc are much more enjoyable, namely "Return to Edge City," an in-depth documentary on the origin and making-of "The Mask," but there's plenty of more behind-the-scenes information in the shorter specials "Introducing Cameron Diaz," "Cartoon Logic," and "What Makes Fido Run." This isn't necessarily a strong Special Edition DVD, but it is a significant difference from the barebones disc that was released eight years ago. If you're a fan of Jim Carrey, and you don't already own the film on DVD, this is certainly a disc worth picking up.
~Jason Zingale
jzingale@bullz-eye.com