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Post by stefancrosscoe on Jul 8, 2017 10:26:47 GMT
"From zero to hero!"In the eyes of the public, Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey) comes off as just another naive dreamer who has set himself up for life as being nothing more than just another doormat for his fellow man. But all that is about to change dramatically, when Ipkiss after yet another miserable night on town ends up finding a strange old mask lying around in the river.I did not get to see this untill around spring 97, when I borrowed the film from a friend of mine. It was pretty bad period of time, as my parents was about to split, and we were gonna move towards the big city, away from all my friends and I kind of found some comfort/security in the weeks before moving by watching The Mask, like 3-4 times a day. And I loved it back then, and I still enjoy it to this day. This was Jim Carrey's second big hit, out of a total of 3, back in 94, and while it might fall behind both Dumb and Dumer and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, I would easily make a place for this film in a top 10 list of all his films. This is all classic Jim Carrey at his absolute peak, where he does one hell of a job combining the more straight/normal kind of guy appearance as Stanley Ipkiss, then switching on to become the complete opposite anti hero, as The Mask. Of course, there are several reasons why I like the film, as it features a 21 year old Cameron Diaz, "S-S-S-S-S-Smokin!!!" in what I believe was either her first starring role in a film, or one of the very first. Edge City, now that seemed like a great place to live in, yeah even knowing that the "magical" stuff that lit up the night sky, was all thanks to the work of all the garbage that was thrown under the city park. Very romantic indeed. Peter Green was a menacing and very memorable bad guy, as the megalomaniac Dorian Tyrell, and little did I know back in 97 that this was the same guy who played Zed the same year, in Pulp Fiction. Richard Jeni does a great job as Stanley's sleazy, smug and yet, somehow likeable pal, Charlie. Milo, Stanley's best friend, is played fantastic by Max the dog, and in some scenes I was really impressed at how well the chemistry he had with Jim Carrey. The special effects/CGI, I might be a bit too to enthusiastic because of the nostalgia and all, but I think about 70-75 percent of the CGI stuff involving the Mask, was rather well done, and had held up better than I would have expected. The big band music of the 40s/50s was really rockin' the place, and I also enjoyed the soundtrack done by Randy Edelman, but I kind of wished the main theme would have lasted a bit longer, you know the piano theme that goes for about 8-10 seconds, and hearing that again, it put me right back in spring of 1997. Seeing the film now as an adult, I did not get all the jokes back then, so it was with a great surprise learning about some of the more "mature" stuff that was thrown in, considering that it was being marketed as a "familiy" comedy back in the mid 90s, at least how I remember it. All in all, the film did end up with a animated series, action figures, comic books, candy and I think even a very shortlived ice cream (might be wrong on that), plus a "sequel" 10 years later, which I have still not seen, nor do I have any plans of doing so. Anyway, here are some of my favorite clips/scenes from The Mask: Somehow, whenever I watch the part where Stanley first puts on the mask, I end up thinking about the moment when little Melvin turns into the Toxic Avenger in the film from 1984.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2017 18:33:18 GMT
Very funny vehicle for Jim Carrey, who tears into the scenery with relish. And yes, a very fine supporting cast, including beauties Cameron Diaz and Amy Yasbeck. The effects work perfectly fine for the movie since it IS supposed to be a kind of live action cartoon. When I saw it in a theatre in 1994 with my brothers, I just about died laughing when he first appeared as the Mask. "SssssssMOkin'!!!!"
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Jul 18, 2017 13:10:21 GMT
I forgot about Amy Yasbeck. She sure was fine as the amitious but sly Peggy Brandt. Having just watched through some of the bonus material of the film, I wished they had explored more of Edge City, and also the whole Viking mask saga, which they actually ended up doing a different take on the intro of, but I thought the one that did make it was better or more effective. For the Edge City part, I guess most of the money went into the Mask CGI effects, but I liked the few scenes were we get to see more of the city/landscape from a far: While Tina and The Mask hits off well, I felt the "chemistry" between Stanley and Tina never really caught on, and after several re-watches, I kind of wanted to see Peggy and Stanley get together, but of course when she ends up betraying him later on, that pretty much killed that "possible" romance for good. Also, the film made me very interested in seeing/buying the old Screwball films/comedies of Tex Avery, which I was surprises has yet to find its way onto an official DVD/Blu-ray release, well maybe beside some french/dutch DVD box set, from 2012. The Red Hot Riding Hood film that we see a little of in The Mask, seems like a riot and back in the 40s it must have been great to have a more adult-themed alternative to the more cute/child friendly Disney animated short-films.
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Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Jul 21, 2017 7:44:48 GMT
This movie always reminded me of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? The live action mixed with the ‘cartoon’ elements. I found that, despite all the funny light-hearted moments, there was a slightly ‘unsettling’ feeling throughout. I think it started with the main theme which begins the movie. I don’t mean the more boisterous part (like when the movie’s title appears), but rather just the eerie bit which you hear towards the beginning and I think a few times throughout the movie. I found it unnerving at the time, but think that it fits perfectly.
Milo was the standout character of this movie, I thought. He was awesome even *before* he slipped into the mask, but once he did? Well, he certainly stole the show (and I think a lot of people would’ve been curious about Milo in the mask if it hadn’t happened, so I’m glad the movie explored that option).
I know Dorian wasn’t really the ‘big boss’ type of villain earlier in the movie. He had a boss who didn’t treat him nicely – but I liked that, as it made later on when Dorian puts on the mask and takes out his boss all the more satisfying. I tend to like the ‘lower level’ villains in movies who work their way up to being the ‘boss type’ after offing the old boss or whatever, as I often find sometimes the ‘big boss’ types are somewhat more level-headed and the flunkies or whoever that are ‘lower down’ in the ranks are the more unstable and go fully mad with power once they get it.
I also liked how the villains were pulled into the ‘cartoonish’ segments with The Mask (like the acceptance speech bit. It’s so funny watching the long drawn-out death – the over-dramatic coughing especially cracks me up – but then when he does his best Sally Field impression, it’s funny watching Dorian combing back his hair to look his best in front of the audience).
Cameron Diaz was likeable enough as Tina, plus she has never looked better in anything else I’ve seen her in than she did in this film, I think. It’s the movie that introduced her to most people, and I think that’s why she made such an impact.
I too liked Stanley and Peggy – it was quite the surprise when she betrayed him (though also kind of funny with her casual tone when asking for the money). There’s actually a scene that was cut which featured her demise. I guess the movie makers deemed it ‘too dark’ for the film? Though, having seen it, it’s not as gross as you’d expect. I like comedies that have a bit of ‘darkness’ to them (as it more unexpected than in horrors, dramas, etc). It’s a shame she betrayed Stanley, as I really did think they ‘clicked’, but at the same time I kind of liked that they had that happen.
I didn’t really have a problem with Stanley ending up with Tina. Her choosing him over The Mask reminds me of the movie Teen Wolf with Michael J. Fox. It was interesting how at first Tina was shocked by The Mask (can’t really blame her, though, as I know when I first saw posters for the movie I found him rather disturbing), but then seemed kind of into him...but it wasn’t long before she became disgusted with him.
I thought Jim Carrey was actually at his most likeable in this movie as Stanley. In the film’s climax, he more than proved himself worthy of Tina’s affections. He stood up for both her and himself, he fought the bad guys despite the odds against him (I loved the part where he starts successfully punching and then just goes crazy with it) and was heroic even without the mask on (though obviously The Mask did ‘save the day’ by swallowing the bomb). It might not have been the most 'original' character journey for Stanley, but I found it believable enough (as much as anything could be deemed ‘believable’ in such a movie).
This and Liar Liar are probably my favourite Jim Carrey movies. Some of the others I don’t mind/enjoy parts of, but those two I mentioned are the ones I’ve probably watched the most.
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Jul 21, 2017 13:34:32 GMT
Quality post, as usual Chalice_Of_Evil. This movie always reminded me of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? The live action mixed with the ‘cartoon’ elements. I found that, despite all the funny light-hearted moments, there was a slightly ‘unsettling’ feeling throughout. I think it started with the main theme which begins the movie. I don’t mean the more boisterous part (like when the movie’s title appears), but rather just the eerie bit which you hear towards the beginning and I think a few times throughout the movie. I found it unnerving at the time, but think that it fits perfectly.
You are right about the Who Framed Roger Rabbit link, as they seem to have a lot of things in common, and I believe that one might be the love/tribute towards the old films of Tex Avery, which was really wild and much more adult-themed fun, than what most people think about when seeing/hearing about Warner Bros and Looney Tunes, which is more aimed at kids/younger viewers/audience. I really enjoyed the main theme/big band score that is used in the film, and I wished some of the stuff by Randy Edelman like the haunting piano main theme, would go on a bit longer, as that was very effective way of building up towards the more dramatic/suspensful melody that followed up. Milo was the standout character of this movie, I thought. He was awesome even *before* he slipped into the mask, but once he did? Well, he certainly stole the show (and I think a lot of people would’ve been curious about Milo in the mask if it hadn’t happened, so I’m glad the movie explored that option).Some of the best scenes involves Milo, such as when Stanley is in jail, and his four legged pal comes to the rescue. That whole scene with him trying to steal the keys of the sleeping guard, is comedy gold. And that was really well done. I know Dorian wasn’t really the ‘big boss’ type of villain earlier in the movie. He had a boss who didn’t treat him nicely – but I liked that, as it made later on when Dorian puts on the mask and takes out his boss all the more satisfying. I tend to like the ‘lower level’ villains in movies who work their way up to being the ‘boss type’ after offing the old boss or whatever, as I often find sometimes the ‘big boss’ types are somewhat more level-headed and the flunkies or whoever that are ‘lower down’ in the ranks are the more unstable and go fully mad with power once they get it. Well put, I completely agree. Dorian was a breath of fresh air, considering the villain part, and I kind of wished they would have gone a bit further with the "relationship" between Dorian and his boss, but I guess there was a lot stuff that got cut away to make it more appealing to a bigger audience, and Dorian was a menacing guy, even before he became the number one baddie in Edge City. Yeah, Dorian would probably not last that long anyhow, with all the powers and all, kind of like Scarface (Pacino), they lived fast and dangerous and well, pretty much ended their lives in the same way. Cameron Diaz was likeable enough as Tina, plus she has never looked better in anything else I’ve seen her in than she did in this film, I think. It’s the movie that introduced her to most people, and I think that’s why she made such an impact. I thought she did very well, considering it was either her first or one of the first movie appearences, and she looked stunning, which of course was what the producers went for, but I do prefer her with long/longer hair. I too liked Stanley and Peggy – it was quite the surprise when she betrayed him (though also kind of funny with her casual tone when asking for the money). There’s actually a scene that was cut which featured her demise. I guess the movie makers deemed it ‘too dark’ for the film? Though, having seen it, it’s not as gross as you’d expect. I like comedies that have a bit of ‘darkness’ to them (as it more unexpected than in horrors, dramas, etc). It’s a shame she betrayed Stanley, as I really did think they ‘clicked’, but at the same time I kind of liked that they had that happen.Yes, I saw that scene on the bonus material. Was not really that bad/scary, more like most the "violence" in the film, very wild and very over-the-top. But I guess since Peggy came out as a more friendly/cute figure early on in the film, the producers might have thought the idea of killing her off was not very suitable for a younger audience, but I kind of wished a Director's cut would come along, and including scenes like that, not just as a bonus material scene, but put into the movie. I do think the part where The Mask ends up playing up the local "hoodlums"/gang, a scene was planned/maybe even made, where earlier they had tormented/picked on Stanley and his revenge as The Mask was supposed to be more "heavy/violent" and less funny/theatrical. I also remember reading years ago, that Stanley Ipkiss was to be made out more of a loner/geek, with glasses and the only friend he had was Milo, not the sleazy co-worker of his, played by Richard Jeni. But this might have been maybe around before Jim Carrey came along. I didn’t really have a problem with Stanley ending up with Tina. Her choosing him over The Mask reminds me of the movie Teen Wolf with Michael J. Fox. It was interesting how at first Tina was shocked by The Mask (can’t really blame her, though, as I know when I first saw posters for the movie I found him rather disturbing), but then seemed kind of into him...but it wasn’t long before she became disgusted with him. I guess I have just seen the film, too many times. And one tend to see things differently, from time to time. The ending was probably the best way of finishing it off, as Stanley/The Mask had pretty much Tina on their mind for most of the time, and it would be kind of a bummer if she turned him down at the end. The Mask still stands as one of my favorite Carrey films, and his part as Stanley is one of the more "straight/normal" roles of that period, while The Mask is probably one of his most crazy/wild, and I really cannot think any other actor/comedian who could do the part justice back then, hell even now I am not sure if anyone is capable of it.
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Post by Utpe on Jul 21, 2017 21:27:18 GMT
It's definitely a 10/10 film for me. I remember being so excited back then to see Jim Carrey represent The Mask character. I loved him in In Living Color (1990 - 1994), so I had high hopes for his role in the movie. He surely didn't disappoint. Cameron Diaz was absolutely stunning in this film. I couldn't get over how amazing she was at the time. Even on a re-watch from a few years ago, she still impresses me. I always loved that little dog. He was the cutest thing. He was so loyal to Stanley Ipkiss. I bust out laughing every time he puts it on. I'm disappointed that they never made a sequel. They had plans on doing it, but I believe Carrey was busy working on another project. Instead, we received that crappy Son of the Mask (2005) movie that nobody wanted. It looked like it was going to be fun:
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Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Jul 22, 2017 7:28:40 GMT
I guess I have just seen the film, too many times. And one tend to see things differently, from time to time.
The ending was probably the best way of finishing it off, as Stanley/The Mask had pretty much Tina on their mind for most of the time, and it would be kind of a bummer if she turned him down at the end.
Sorry. I probably didn’t express what I meant to say properly. I didn’t mean she was at all ‘disgusted’ with Stanley. I think she really liked him and just wished that he stood up for himself a bit more/took a chance with her. What I meant was that she seemed weirded out when The Mask first appeared to her (and I can understand her reaction), then she seemed to be kind of intrigued by him, but then it wasn’t long before he went too far with her and she was kneeing him in the goolies.
It’s slightly different in Teen Wolf, as the ‘hot blonde’ female character that Michael J. Fox’s character has a thing for throughout most of the movie is *not* the one who is interested in the ‘real’ him. Instead it’s the ‘female friend’ character who isn’t won over by his ‘wolf’ side (which impresses everyone else), but instead wants the real Scott (MJF’s character). She even says to him something like how she’ll go with him, *not* the wolf. So at the end of The Mask, when Tina chooses Stanley by tossing the mask into the water – it just reminded me of that moment in Teen Wolf (though I realise it’s probably just me who was reminded of that moment).
I hope this^ explains what I meant better.
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