The Mask

Rating: 10/10 (16 March 2005)

When I was younger this used to be a fantastic family comedy film, and it still is. Basically Stanley Ipkiss (Golden Globe nominated Jim Carrey is the mild-mannered bank clerk working with best friend Charlie (Richard Jeni), and one day he meets and is instantly attracted to the beautiful Tina Carlyle (introducing Cameron Diaz). They see each other again (after he has been soaked) at the Coco Bongo Club, and it is on his way home that he discovers an ancient green wooden mask inhabited by the spirit of mischievous god, Loki. When he puts this mask on, he is transformed into a green faced uncontrollable wacky cartoony alter-ego superhero. When Tina eventually meets "The Mask", she is instantly attracted to him and has no idea it is Stanley. Meanwhile, Stanley has to deal with Lt. Mitch Kellaway (Peter Riegert) who has reason to believe Stanley is this "Mask". Eventually, Stanley has bigger problems when Tina's villainous gangster boyfriend Dorian Tyrell (Pulp Fiction's Peter Greene) gets hold of the mask, and plans to take over Edge City with his new found power. The concluding scenes in the Coco Bongo Club, fighting for the mask, including dog Milo putting it on, are fantastically funny. Also starring Amy Yasbeck as Peggy Brandt, Orestes Matacena as Niko, Nancy Fish as Mrs. Peenman, Jim Doughan as Detective Doyle, Denis Forest as Sweet Eddy and Ben Stein as Dr. Arthur Neuman. The cartoonish special effects are amazing, Carrey is hilarious as The Mask, Diaz's debut is great, this is just a must-see family film. It was nominated for the Oscar for Best Visual Effects, it was nominated the BAFTAs for Best Make Up/Hair, Best Production Design and Best Special Effects. Cameron Diaz was number 65, and Jim Carrey number 47 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, Diaz was also number 26 on The 100 Greatest Sex Symbols, and the film was number 68 on The 100 Greatest Sexy Moments for Diaz's great introductory entrance. Outstanding!