The Mask – LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY

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Jim Carrey had been appearing in small roles in movies and TV since 1981, but he didn’t become a major star until the sketch comedy show ‘In Living Colour’ premiered in 1990. Four years later, in 1994, he burst into the spotlight with a trio of incredibly successful, low-budget films: ‘Ace Ventura’, ‘The Mask’, and ‘Dumb and Dumber’. These films brought him worldwide recognition, with ‘The Mask’ proving the most profitable, earning $351 million on a $23 million budget. Notably, $7 million of that budget went towards visual effects, which, though still new at the time, would become a standard feature in most big-budget movies going forward.

Director Chuck Russell, known for reviving the Nightmare on Elm Street series with his darkly humorous approach and for his underrated remake of The Blob (a film worth checking out!), took a sharp turn with The Mask. Moving away from horror, the film felt like a live-action Tex Avery cartoon, bursting with surreal visuals, slapstick comedy, and unexpected musical numbers.

Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey) is a quiet bank employee in Edge City, secretly in love with the beautiful nightclub singer Tina Carlyle (Cameron Diaz), but too shy to speak to her. His life takes a wild turn when he finds an old mask that gives him incredible powers. The mask transforms him into a confident, chaotic, and unpredictable alter ego – simply known as The Mask. With the ability to bend reality and fueled by boundless energy, Stanley, as The Mask, causes hilarious mayhem, quickly drawing the attention of both the police and a group of ruthless criminals.

Jim Carrey was perfectly suited for the role, as his physical comedy skills were unmatched. However, he wasn’t the first choice; Martin Short and Rick Moranis were considered initially. Studio executives ultimately chose Carrey after seeing his work on ‘In Living Colour’. His performance as The Mask involved incredible visual effects – even earning an Oscar nomination – that allowed his energetic personality to shine through layers of makeup, creating memorable moments like eyes popping out and a jaw dropping to the floor. Interestingly, these exaggerated effects mirrored the audience reaction – particularly from men – when Cameron Diaz made her film debut. Her entrance at the bank, wearing a striking dress and radiating charm, is considered one of cinema’s most iconic shots, perfectly capturing why the film’s tagline declared her ‘SSSSSSmokin!!!!’

The film proved to be a major hit, catapulting both Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz to stardom. Carrey ultimately landed the role of The Riddler, a part initially expected to go to Robin Williams. For Diaz, the film kickstarted her career, leading to numerous offers for both dramatic and comedic roles. Director Chuck Russell followed up with the action film ‘Eraser,’ starring Arnold 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 bonus features are definitely worth checking out, and the archival commentaries offer surprisingly honest perspectives on the film. However, it’s noticeable that neither Jim Carrey nor Cameron Diaz appear in any of them, likely due to budgetary constraints. It’s a missed opportunity, as a commentary from Carrey – reflecting on the start of his successful film career – would have been particularly valuable. The same goes for Diaz, who has consistently worked with a wide range of directors, from Martin Scorsese to the Farrelly brothers, and recently returned to acting after a decade-long break with the underwhelming film Back in Action.

Despite everything, The Mask remains one of Jim Carrey’s best movies and arguably his most physically demanding role. Combined with Cameron Diaz’s stunning debut, it’s a must-see for any fan of Carrey’s work.

Here’s The Mask trailer…..

The Mask limited edition blu-ray is released on 10th November 2025

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2025-11-08 03:24