Mirrormask (2005)

In a fantasy world of opposing kingdoms, a fifteen-year-old girl must find the fabled MirrorMask in order to save the kingdom and get home.

Director:

Dave McKean

Writers:

Neil Gaiman (story), Dave McKean (story)

Stars:

Stephanie Leonidas, Jason Barry, Rob Brydon

5 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stephanie Leonidas	...	Helena / Anti-Helena
Jason Barry	...	Valentine
Rob Brydon	...	Morris Campbell / Prime Minister
Gina McKee	...	Joanne Campbell / Queen of Light / Queen of Shadows
Dora Bryan	...	Aunt Nan
Stephen Fry	...	Librarian
Andy Hamilton	...	Small Hairy
Simon Harvey	...	Sphinx
Lenny Henry	...	Cops 1-4
Robert Llewellyn	...	Gryphon
Eryl Maynard	...	Mrs. Bagwell
Eve Pearce	...	Future Fruit Lady
Nik Robson	...	Pingo / Bing (as Nik Robinson)
Victoria Williams	...	Nurse
Rick Allen	...	Man In a Box

Storyline

In a fantasy world of opposing kingdoms, a 15-year-old girl named Helena who works at the family circus with her father and mother, who wishes--quite ironically--that she could run away from the circus and join 'real life'. But such is not to be the case, as she finds herself on a strange journey into the Dark Lands, a fantastic landscape filled with giants, Monkeybirds and dangerous sphinxes. She must find the fabled MirrorMask in order to save the kingdom and get back home.

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Plot Keywords:

circus | dream | fantasy world | dark fantasy | dream world | 

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Taglines:

Enter A World Where Dreams Are Real

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Genres:

Adventure | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild thematic elements and scary images

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to an interview with Neil Gaiman, the original computers used to do all of the CG were named after The Beatles (John, Paul, Ringo, George). Later a fifth computer was required, so it was named Yoko. Soon after the fifth computer was introduced, the network crashed and could not be restored properly ("the computers refused to talk to each other"). A new server and computers were purchased and named after The Ramones (Joey, Jonny, DeeDee and Tommy). Gaiman said "I wish I knew more about the history of The Ramones; the computers performed brilliantly, vibrantly and died an untimely - and early - death"

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Goofs

Actor Peter Burroughs (Red Troll) is misspelled in the end credits. His official biographies confirm it is the same person.

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Quotes

Monkeybirds: Bob, Bob, Bob, Bob, Bob, Bob, Bob, Bob, Bob, Bob...
Monkeybird: Malcolm.
Monkeybirds: Bob, Bob, Bob.

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Connections

Referenced in Coraline (2009)

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Soundtracks

Close to You
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
Performed by Josefine Cronholm

User Reviews

"a masterpiece that will stand the test of filmic history"

I went into this film with high expectations and it didn't disappoint!

Dave McKean is a genius! He has created a film which is an unparalleled amalgam of live action, puppetry, classical and computer generated animation. This is the kind of movie that makes me want to be a filmmaker. McKean is constantly aware of the camera and how best to use it to draw the audience into the world he and Neil Gaiman have created.

The story is a fascinating examination of the self and issues of duality through the lens of the carnivalesque. The film references the mythologies of various cultures to create one of its own. There are some clear links back to Lewis Carroll and Alice's Adventures In Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass and it shares the dark, twisted sense of humour seen in earlier Henson Company films like Labyrinth and Dark Crystal.

The whole film is captivating and visually gorgeous. Within each frame there is so much to see, that, I would guess, even upon dozens of viewings, you'd be seeing new things. The visuals alone would have been enough to make this film nearly perfect but coupled with the frenetic and wacky music it's made even more amazing.

Kudos to McKean and Gaiman for creating a masterpiece that will stand the test of filmic history.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures [United States]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 March 2006 (UK)

Also Known As:

Mirrormask

Filming Locations:

Black Island Studios, Alliance Road, Acton, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$126,449, 2 October 2005

Gross USA:

$866,999

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$866,999

Company Credits

Production Co:

Destination Films, The Jim Henson Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1