With bit parts in films and TV series since 1981 Jim Carrey had never really set the entertainment world alight but the sketch show series ‘In Living Colour’ that began in 1990 was an ideal showcase for his physical comedy and four years later he made an inedible mark in three films starting with Ace Ventura followed by The Mask and then Dumb and Dumber all released in 1994 and all huge hits off very small budgets and bought Carrey to the world’s attention. The most successful of those films was The Mask earning a huge $351m off a meagre $23m budget of which $7m went on the CGI visual effects that, though still in their infancy, were to become a staple of nearly every big budget movie from thereon.
Based on a violent comic book character it was director Chuck Russell who had made a name as a director with Nightmare on Elm Street 3 that rejuvenated the about to cancelled franchise with its use of black humour and then followed it up with an under rated remake of the Steve McQueen horror film ‘The Blob’ ( worth catching if you’ve never seen it). The Mask veered away from the horror genre into what could best be described as a Tex Avery cartoon made real with its surreal eye popping visuals and frequent leaps into slapstick humour and big musical set pieces that came from nowhere.
The Mask saw Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey), a mild-mannered bank clerk in Edge City, who can’t bring himself to approach Tina Carlyle (Cameron Diaz), a stunning nightclub singer who’s captured his heart. Everything changes when Stanley discovers an ancient mask with supernatural abilities, unleashing a bold, unstoppable and uncontrollable version of himself: the Mask. With reality-bending powers and boundless cartoon energy, Stanley becomes a whirlwind of mischief, soon attracting the attention of both the police and a crew of dangerous criminals.
It was a role tailor made for Carrey whose physical comedy was head and shoulders above anyone else and yet he was not first choice but instead it was Martin Short and then Rick Moranis who were in the mix until studio heads pointed out Carrey’s characters in ‘In Living Colour’. His transformation into The Mask under a layer of latex that still allowed his larger than life personality to shine through and was further enhanced by state of the art, and what would turn out to be Oscar nominated, visual effects that would see his characters eyes pop out on stalks and jaw drop to the floor amongst many other effects. But those eyes popping jaw dropping effects were enacted for real by audiences , specifically the men , at the appearance of the hitherto unknown Cameron Diaz in her acting and big screen debut. Her appearance at the bank in a figure hugging dress as the cameras tilts up and bathes in her radiant smile remains one of cinemas great shots. As the films catchphrase would rightly have it she was, ‘SSSSSSmokin!!!!’
The film was a huge success that launched both stars on to the A –list with Carrey able to secure the role of The Riddler from what was presumed to be going to Robin Williams. For Diaz it would launch her career and became a much in demand for dramatic as well as comic roles and for director Chuck Russell he would go on to helm, ‘Eraser’ for Schwarzenegger.
Released now on Limited Edition blu-ray there’s a host of bonus features that includes:
- 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative by Arrow Films approved by director Chuck Russell
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
• Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio and lossless stereo audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Archive audio commentary with Chuck Russell
• Archive audio commentary with Chuck Russell, New Line co-chairman Bob Shaye, screenwriter Mike Werb, executive producer Mike Richardson, producer Bob Engelman, ILM VFX supervisor Scott Squires, animation supervisor Tom Bertino and cinematographer John R. Leonetti
• The Man Behind the Mask, a newly filmed interview with Chuck Russell
• From Strip to Screen, a newly filmed interview with Mike Richardson, Mike Werb and Mark Verheiden
• Green Faces Blue Screens, a newly filmed interview with visual effects supervisor Scott Squires
• Sssssssplicin’!, a newly filmed interview with editor Arthur Coburn
• Ask Peggy, a newly filmed interview with actor Amy Yasbeck
• Toeing the Conga Line, a newly filmed interview with choreographer Jerry Evans featuring never-before-seen rehearsal footage
• Terriermania, a new video essay by critic Elizabeth Purchell on canine sidekick Milo
• Archival featurettes Return to Edge City, Introducing Cameron Diaz, Cartoon Logic, What Makes Fido Run, The Making Of, on-set interview bites with the cast and director and B-Roll footage
• Deleted scenes, with optional commentary by director Chuck Russell
• Theatrical trailer
• Image gallery
• Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options
• Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and original production notes
• Double-sided fold-out poster featuring two original artwork options
• Six postcard-sized reproduction artcards
The new featurettes are all worth a look and the archive commentaries give an often frank insight into the film. But the very omission from all these features is anything with either Carrey or Diaz which must surely come down to budget. And it’s a shame because a Carrey commentary would seem to be a must especially for a star looking back at the dawn of his film career as it took off. The same with Diaz who has worked non-stop since the film’s release and having worked with directors as diverse as Scorsese to the Farrelly brothers before taking a 10 year break from movies making a welcome return in 2025 but unfortunately it was in the lacklustre actioner Back in Action.
Nonetheless The Mask is one of Carrey’s best films and is certainly one of his most, if not the most, physical performances he’s committed to celluloid and along with Diaz who makes one of the great screen siren debuts making this an essential addition to Carrey aficionados.
related feature : Jim Carrey in sombre mood in ‘Dark Crimes’ – DVD REVIEW
related feature : Terry Gilliam discusses the Time Bandits deleted scenes
Here’s The Mask trailer…..
The Mask limited edition blu-ray is released on 10th November 2025
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