THE MASK (1994)
4 stars
Arrow Video. Limited edition 4K UHD/Limited Edition Blu ray
Alongside ACE VENTURA, PET DETECTIVE and DUMB AND DUMBER, it was THE MASK that really let audiences know what Canadian actor/comedian Jim Carrey was capable of, with his rubber face – apparently saving the producers of this film money, as he could do things that other actors would have needed CGI to achieve!
He plays ineffectual banker Stanley Ipkiss, who doesn’t have the chutzpah to ask out nightclub singer Tina (Cameron Diaz in her film debut), not realising she is mixed up with local gangster Dorian Tyrell (Peter Greene). When his crappy loaner car breaks down on a bridge, he thinks he sees someone in the river below and jumps in to save them – only to find it’s a bunch of rubbish floating on the surface. In amongst the detritus he finds a wooden mask, which turns out to be Loki’s – the God of Mischief. Ipkiss is a fan of Warner Brothers cartoons, and back at his apartment, he puts the mask on and is transformed into a bright green faced living embodiment of a Tex Avery cartoon.
Determined to get the girl, he soon comes to the attention of local cop Lt Kellaway (Peter Riegert) and also Dorian and his big boss Niko (Orestes Matacena).
Based on the comic book series by John Arcudi and Doug Mahnke, Carrey is brilliant in the central role as the whirling dervish in the banana yellow suit. For a film from the 90s this holds up remarkably well – whilst the early use of CGI could have made it dated, because it is so stylised, it doesn’t suffer compared to modern computer wizardry. Diaz is cute in her role and Greene is suitably nasty as the villain of the piece.
The film looks great in a 4K restoration from the original camera negative and approved by the director Chuck Russell. Arrow have done their usual job of stuffing it with extras – some new to this release, plus stuff lifted from previous discs.
EXTRAS
Two archive audio commentaries one with Chuck Russell; one with Chuck Russell, New Line co-chairman Bob Shaye, screenwriter Mike Werb, executive producer Mike Richardson, producer Bob Engelman, ILM VFX supervisor Scott Squires, animation supervisor Tom Bertino and cinematographer John R. Leonetti
New interviews with Chuck Russell; with Producer Mike Richardson, writer Mike Werb and writer Mark Verheiden; with visual effects supervisor Scott Squires; with editor Arthur Coburn; with actor Amy Yasbeck; with choreographer Jerry Evans featuring never-before-seen rehearsal footage
Video essay by critic Elizabeth Purchell on canine sidekick Milo!
A whole bunch of archival featurettes
Deleted scenes, with optional commentary by director Chuck Russell
Theatrical trailer; Image gallery
Plus Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options; Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and original production notes; Double-sided fold-out poster featuring two original artwork options and Six postcard-sized reproduction artcards
