Random Movie Series Review - The Mask

Long before Deadpool came around, there was The Mask. An entity living inside a mask which upon worn by anyone, takes over them to become wacky, over the top and fun but also dangerous. Because of this, the entity has the unique status of being both the protagonist and antagonist depending on the person or animal wearing it. I haven't read the comics that the films are based on, but I have watched the original animated series which just so happened to be part of a group of animated shows based on Jim Carrey films (the other two being based on Ace Ventura and Dumb and Dumber with the possibility of there being other shows too). Then years went by, and I eventually ended up watching the films. Now as it is with most Jim Carrey films, he appears in one film but not any other film. It's because of this that any attempt to continue a film series that he was in, almost always ends up being doomed. Of course, he has done some sequels to his own films, but sometimes even he isn't enough to save them. So we have two films to look at here so let's get to it:

The Mask

Stanley Ipkiss (played by Carrey) is what back in the 90s was known as being a loser of sorts. Not having many friends and often ridiculed by his co-workers. But on one fateful day, he comes across a mask which once put on, gives him a superhero-like persona. With this newfound item, he soon starts to make life better for himself and actually find a means to keep living. But his antics soon attract the attention of a local mafia who one of its members, intends to use the mask to overthrow the Don as it were. It's a fun film that further demonstrates how well live action films can do the slapstick humor you would typically see in a Looney Tunes cartoon and this one has no cartoons at all. The jokes are great, the cartoon antics are good and even the villains despite being a bit too safe for my liking, are interesting too. One of Carrey's best films for sure, even if it does have a couple of misfires here and there (but only a couple). 9/10

 

Son of the Mask

After the success the first film had, a sequel was long in the works. Competitions were held for people to star in the next film, and it had a lot going for it. But boy did it suck so bad. This time around, our wannabe hero is aspiring animator Tim Avery (played by Jamie Kennedy) who comes across the mask when his dog Otis picks it up from a nearby river. Tim is being reluctant in becoming a dad, but putting on a mask seems to make his life that little bit better. But forces from Norse mythology also want the mask for some reason, so Tim has his hands full. This film went way over the top with it's CGI and visual effects and also spent too much time on wide angle shots. With the first film it works because the jokes and goofiness are done without the need for close up shots. Here, its done too much and the film pays the price for it. I'd say its more scary than funny and just doesn't work well as a sequel. If you make a sequel to a Jim Carrey film, you need him back. The film may actually be funny if he returned. 3/10

I am hopeful that we get more things to do with The Mask in the future because it is worth your time even though most of us are more used to Deadpool these days who can be compared favourably to The Mask (or Big Head as he is known in the comics). Give the first one a watch, but don't waste your time on the second unless you intend to scare people with how unintentionally scary it is. 7/10