the fresh films reviews

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The Mask (1994)

Director:
Charles Russell
COUNTRY
USA
GENRE
Fantasy/Superhero/
Comedy
NORWEGIAN TITLE
Masken
RUNNING TIME
101 minutes
Producer:
Bob Engelman
Screenwriter:
Mike Werb


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING
Stanley Ipkiss / The Mask Jim Carrey
Tina Carlyle Cameron Diaz ½
Dorian Tyrell Peter Greene
Charlie Schumaker Richard Jeni
Lt. Mitch Kellaway Peter Riegert
Peggy Brandt Amy Yasbeck
Niko Orestes Matacena

 

Review

A simple good/bad dichotomy and an emblematic romance is effectively elevated by the original cartoonish visual effects and up-and-coming star Jim Carrey's brilliant physical comedy in this now semi-cult-classic. Much of the build-up and realization of the basic premise, about a bashful man who discovers and then utilizes a magic Norse mask, is derived directly from traditional superhero territory, and so is the title character's two personas, but our masked hero has a spunky and sometimes deliciously absurd vibe to him that makes the film enjoyable for adults while at the same time being fairly suited for kids. The Mask is well-conceived and remarkably well-made, even if it's all very formulaic and not all that imaginative 90% of the time.

Copyright © 11.5.2015 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang

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