The Mask (1994)

SOMEBODY....STOP HIM!!!  Of course we're referring to Stanley Ipkiss played by Jim Carrey once he puts on that mask, the titular mask for this Summer '94 blockbuster smash which was based on a graphic novel of the same name.  Directed by Chuck Russell (Eraser) this was released amidst a breakout year for Carrey, smack between blockbusters Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Dumb and Dumber.  But THIS was the one where he got to stretch a bit....LITERALLY. :) Carrey plays a mild-mannered banker who one night finds a mysterious mask in the dock of the fictious Edge City where he lives.  He soon finds out that once he puts on that mask at night, it transform him into a cartoonishly green party animal who can sing, dance, and do impressions with the best of them!  Also starring in this comic book adapted comedy is Peter Greene, Peter Riegert, and in her big screen debut Cameron Diaz.  It's time to P-A-R-T-Y.....WHY?  Because he's GOTTA!!! ;) 

Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon

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Transcript

THE MASK - 1994

Directed by Chuck Russell

Starring Jim Carrey, Peter Greene, Cameron Diaz, Amy Yasbeck, Peter Riegert, Richard Jeni, Orestes Macena, Tim Bagley,, and Nancy Fish 

Genre: Comic Book Adaptation (Audio clip)

What a fun movie that still holds up, I don't think Peak Jim Carrey was ever THIS likeable except probably for The Truman Show. Because let's face it, during this era....from Ace Ventura to Liar Liar to The Cable Guy (of course), he was generally playing very dickish characters which is not to say he wasn't funny. But his Stanley Ipkiss is actually pretty appealing – genuinely nice and well-meaning regular guy working in a bank who keeps getting stepped on and seems eager to let his freak-flag fly.  And of course finding the titular MASK gives him an opportunity to do so…. (Audio clip) 

And he's matched with a quite charming (among other things) baby-faced young Cameron Diaz playing Tina – a local lounge singer/gangster’s moll - and an even more charming dog along the way which make this shebang all the more enjoyable. :) The CGI is dated but still pretty much works as it just contributes to the cartoonish nature of the title character.  The art deco production design is fun and has been well-described by others as "Gotham Light."  Yes this was in the vein of a Batman or Dick Tracy or even recent previous episode The Shadow but a BIT more modern and 99% played for laughs.  Diaz and Carrey have great chemistry and not gonna lie…..Diaz just looks INCREDIBLE in what would be her big-screen debut, delivering some va-va-voom in some pretty elaborate dresses including notable black-and-white striped long-sleeve number which seems to be a minor obsession for some online.  Regardless they have some sweet exchanges which help lend the overall story some heart. (Audio clip) 

And besides Cameron, the supporting cast has some other memorable players including Peter Greene playing the main villain, local gangster Dorian Tyrell….Greene brings some necessary menace to this role and was VERY omnipresent at this time in the middle of QUITE a run.  His performance here was sandwiched between two little-known indie films: playing Zed in Pulp Fiction and then Redfoot in The Usual Suspects.  Clearly he does good villain. (Audio clip) 

And besides him, we have the IRREPLACEABLE Peter Riegert delivering a nice acide turn as the requisite local cop who’s got his eye on this new local menace known as The Mask – movies like this always need at least one character like this and his Lt. Kellaway is a genuine hoot, delivering some witty observations about our main protoganist (Audio clip) 

Chuck Russell directed this after cutting his teeth on one of the better Nightmare on Elm Street sequels and it's not hard to see The Mask as a kinda-sorta kid-friendly version of Freddy Krueger? 🤔 Most of the jokes land, even some of the more dated pop culture references....Russell kinda pulls off with Carrey what Aladdin did with Robin Williams a couple of years prior. 

Best Needle-drop (best song cue or score used throughout runtime of film): 

Yes there are actually a few musical sequences in this film and they are even better than I remember - I remember finding the "Cuban Pete" number in the middle of the movie overlong when first watching this years ago….but rewatching it NOW?  It's a genuine joy to see a bunch of law enforcement doing a conga line in the middle of the street….and I have to say that both the singing AND dancing from Carrey is pretty strong.  Yup that’s right this rhumba standard which was made popular as far back as 1946 by Desi Arnez…..this time around, that IS actually Carrey’s singing voice.  It's a wonder he hasn't done any real musicals since this. (Audio clip)    

Beyond that, the soundtrack also includes swing music, a VERY mid '90s trend which MIGHT have actually started with this movie.  What results is a standout number about 40 minutes in when we see The Mask REALLY kick it to “Hey Pachuco” from Royal Crown Revue…..again sterling dancing from Carrey! (Audio clip) 

Finally the film also has quite the rousing orchestral score which we hear over the opening credits in bombastic fashion and sprinkled throughout the rest of the film – purely orchestral, it elicits at different points mystery, heroism and even some romance too.  The score was created by long-time composer….Paterson, New Jersey’s OWN Randy Edelman whose work could also be heard in collaboration with Trevor Jones for that ICONIC score for previous episode The Last Of the Mohicans.  Now while this theme for The Mask isn’t QUITE on that level, it’s still pretty catchy! (Audio clip) 

Wasted Talent (most under-utilized talent involved with film):

It’s not very often that I have either noticed and/or taken the time to acknowledge an exceptional performance by an animal – I think the only time so far on this podcast that I have done so is the AMAZING performance from the dog in The Thing.  But I would be remiss if I did NOT give a special shout-out to Max the Dog who plays Stanley Ipkiss’ extremely loyal dog Milo.  This Jack Russell Terrier not only has natural screen presence but he does a LOT of tricky stuff on-screen giving one of the more varied dog performances I have ever seen.  We see him relaxed….skeptical…..melancholy…..and even vigorously enthusiastic in once key sequence about 2/3 in….a pretty funny sequence actually as we watch Milo struggle to jump high enough to secure the necessary keys to spring his master out of jail. What’s also great about this sequence is the fun back-and-forth between Carrey and the pup as he tries to coach him….(Audio clip) 

Trailer Moment (scene or moment that best describes this movie):

And speaking of Milo….this MIGHT be controversial is Carrey is undoubtedly the whirlwind center of this movie.  However I can remember seeing this opening night and there was ONE particular moment during which the audience went ABSOLUTELY….NUTS….I would be lying if I didn’t pumped as well.  To set the scene, we’re at the Cocobungo Club and Greene’s Dorian not only has possession of the titular mask but is in fact WEARING it….and he’s intimidating to say the least.  Fortunately just as he and his goons are about to blow the place up, Tina who is tied up comes up with a quick little scheme to get the mask off of him… (Audio clip) 

So she manages to kick the mask off and it FLIES into the air where a bunch of folks attempt to catch it…..Milo catches it and as the fighting amongst all of the humans just escalates….and then as one goon is trying to nab said mask from Milo, just GUESS what happens??  He sinks his head inside the mask….a literal green mini-tornado forms around him…..and then…..you got it…..MASK DOG!  It’s honestly one of the loudest reactions I can ever recall hearing from an audience in a movie theater and while the CGI looks very cartoonish, it’s STILL quite the kick to see this green-headed freak dog wreaking havoc on the bad guys! (Audio clip) 

MVP (person or people most responsible for the success of this film):

Even though he clearly had some help from some strong players in front of and behind the camera, this is STILL Jim Carrey’s film at the end of the day.  Carrey really does give a nice two-tiered performance at its center. And upon rewatching this, I think this movie really DOES hold up better than most of his other '90's comedies...right alongside The Cable Guy.  For delivering a peak comedic performance JUST as he was developing into a household name, Jim Carrey is the MVP. (Audio clip) 

Final Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5

Happy 30th Anniversary to a delightful throwback to the mid ‘90’s featuring one of THE most beloved comedic movie stars of the modern era at the peak of his powers!  Oh yeah there was a sequel?  Nah….never saw it, never cared to, he wasn’t in it. 

Streaming on Apple TV Plus

And that ends another SMOKINNNN review!