The Mask (1994)

Director:

Chuck Russell

Writers (WGA):

Michael Fallon (story) and
Mark Verheiden (story) ...

Release Date:

29 July 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Fantasy | Romance

Tagline:

From zero to hero

Plot:

Bank clerk Stanley Ipkiss is transformed into a manic super-hero when he wears a mysterious mask.

Plot Keywords:

Mask | Bank | Bank Clerk | Superhero | Beauty

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 6 wins & 15 nominations

Cast

Jim Carrey	...	Stanley Ipkiss
Peter Riegert	...	Lt. Mitch Kellaway
Peter Greene	...	Dorian Tyrell
Amy Yasbeck	...	Peggy Brandt
Richard Jeni	...	Charlie Schumaker
Orestes Matacena	...	Niko
Tim Bagley	...	Irv Ripley
Nancy Fish	...	Mrs. Peenman
Johnny Williams	...	Burt Ripley
Reg E. Cathey	...	Freeze (as Reginald E. Cathey)
Jim Doughan	...	Detective Doyle
Denis Forest	...	Sweet Eddy
Cameron Diaz	...	Tina Carlyle
Joseph Alfieri	...	Police Officer
B.J. Barie	...	Alley Punk #1

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some stylized violence.

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo | DTS

Certification:

Argentina:Atp (original rating) | Brazil:Livre | Ireland:12 | Iceland:12 | USA:TV-PG (edited tv version) | UK:12 (DVD rating) | USA:PG (cut) | New Zealand:M | Australia:PG | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:II | Japan:U | Netherlands:AL | Norway:15 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 | Thailand:PD-14

Filming Locations:

6th Street Viaduct, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Dark Horse Entertainment

Trivia:

In the scene where Ipkiss puts the mask on in his apartment, and becomes a whirlwind, lightning strikes in the background reveal a back lit image of his skeleton. The viewer will need to play the movie in slow motions as the scene is only 1/10th of a second long.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the beginning of the "Cuban Pete" dance number, there is a brief shot where Carrey has managed to pull out part of his shirt. By the next shot, however, the shirt is instantly tucked back in.

Quotes:

Lieutenant Mitch Kellaway: Ipkiss? Stanley Ipkiss?
Stanley Ipkiss: Yes?
Lieutenant Mitch Kellaway: Lt. Kellaway, city precinct. You know anything about the disturbance last night?
Stanley Ipkiss: Dis... turbance?
Lieutenant Mitch Kellaway: Yeah, some kind of prowler broke in and attacked Mrs. Peenman.
Stanley Ipkiss: Attacked?
Lieutenant Mitch Kellaway: You didn't hear anything? She unloaded a couple of rounds of buckshot 5 feet from your door.
[Stanley sees Mrs. Peenman complaining about big hole in floor]
Stanley Ipkiss: This is... impossible.
Lieutenant Mitch Kellaway: Those pajamas are impossible. This actually happened.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Freddy vs. The Mask (2007) (V)

Soundtrack:

Of Thee I Swing

S-s-s-s-s-smoking!!

Based on characters appearing in Dark Horse comics, this movie is about Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey), a put-upon loser who discovers a mysterious, ancient wooden mask that transforms him into a green-faced, manic party guy.

He woos a sexy singer (Cameron Diaz, in her film debut) and battles her psychotic hoodlum boyfriend (Peter Greene), while trying to avoid a suspicious detective (Peter Riegert).

I don't like this film QUITE as much as I did before (when I first saw it in theaters, it had me in stitches), but it's still a fun picture. It may be goofy and silly, but that's kind of the point of the film, isn't it? Carrey offers a dynamic comedic performance and he is well supported by the other actors. Film features two show-stopping musical numbers: a swing number featuring Carrey and Diaz, and a rendition of Desi Arnaz's "Cuban Pete." Film also features superb animation that helps to bring "The Mask" character to life, an enjoyable soundtrack, and an endearing canine companion (Milo, played by Max) for Carrey. Last but not least, you can hardly blame Stanley for obsessing over Tina (Diaz) - Diaz is dazzlingly sexy!

I give it seven out of ten. One of Carrey's better efforts, that's for sure.