‘The Mask (1994)’ 4K UHD Review (Arrow Video)
Stars: Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz, Peter Riegert, Peter Greene, Amy Yasbeck, Richard Jeni | Written by Mike Werb | Directed by Chuck Russell
There was probably never a better year for an actor in any genre of film than that of 1994 and Jim Carrey. In 1994 Jim Carrey starred in comedy classics Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Dumb and Dumber and The Mask. What a year! That also means that latter is 31 years old! Can it be? It seems like only yesterday… Arrow Video have taken this comedy classic remastered and released The Mask on 4k Ultra HD for the first time ever. And I could not be more excited!
Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey), a mild-mannered bank clerk in Edge City, 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.
The Mask was originally a comic and a violent one at that. But the film adaptation is more fun, light-hearted, and I believe that is why it works so well, and it still is funny all these years later. Because there is no expiration date on funny. As a teenager I watched everything Jim Carrey. I could not get enough of his comedy! And even to this day, I still get a kick out of re-watching his films. So, to see this film in 4K was a treat to say the least. A live-action Looney Tunes on steroids, the animation in The Mask was groundbreaking, and in my humble opinion, this film should have won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. The winner of that award was Forrest Gump. And the visual effects of that film were spectacular, but The Mask was out of this world. It is a shame they didn’t win the award.
Arrow Video has transferred The Mask to 4K in 2160p UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible). The audio track is the original DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio, lossless stereo audio and a brand-new Dolby Atmos mix. Finally, there is the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
The transfer is taken from a new 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative by Arrow Films, approved by director Chuck Russell. The picture is crisp and clean. The colours are bright and vibrant, and the audio is clear. The Mask has never looked better than it does now. This 4K release not only features a wonderful-looking 4K restoration, but Arrow Video have added some great bonus features to keep fans of the film entertained (and some maybe educated). Take a look at what is included:
Special Features:
- 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.
- 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
Extras:
- 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 amount of bonus features on this release is just plain impressive. The Mask has always been one of my favourite Jim Carrey films, so to be able to see deleted scenes, video essays, interviews, featurettes, and so much more just takes a cool film to a whole other level. Which means that if you love Jim Carrey films as much as I do. This new 4K Ultra HD release of The Mask is a must-own.
***** 5/5
The Mask will be released on 4K UHD from Arrow Video on November 10th. Pre-order your copy now.
______
