Mirrormask
Tags: whimsical, allegory, cult, fantasy, alternate reality

Plot synopsis:
Helena (Stephanie Leonidas) works with her parents (Gina McKee and Rob Brydon) at their family circus, but desires to run away and join real life. At the next performance, after Helena and her mother have a heated argument, Helena's mother collapses and is taken to the hospital. Ten days later, while Helena is staying with her grandmother, she finds that the doctors determine that Helena's mother requires an operation, and Helena can only blame herself for the situation. That night, she wakes up in a dream-like state and leaves her building to find three performers outside. As they try to perform for Helena, a shadow encroaches on the area and two of the performers are consumed by it. The third performer, Valentine (Jason Barry), a juggler, helps to quickly direct Helena to safety through the use of magical flying books. She learns they are in the City of Light which is slowly being consumed by shadows, causing its widely varied citizens to flee. Soon Helena is mistaken for the Princess. She and Valentine are taken to the Prime Minister (Brydon). He explains that the Princess from the Land of Shadow stole a charm from the City of Light, leaving their White Queen (McKee) in a state of unnatural sleep and the City vulnerable to the Shadows. Helena notes the resemblance of the Queen and Minister to her mother and father, and offers to help recover the charm along with Valentine. They are unaware their actions are being watched by the Queen of Shadows (also McKee) who has mistaken Helena as the Princess of the Land of Shadows.
Helena and Valentine attempt to stay ahead of the shadows as they follow clues to the charm, learning that it is called "MirrorMask". Helena discovers that by looking through the windows of the buildings, she can see into her bedroom in the real world, through the drawings of windows that she created and hung on the wall of her room. She discovers that a doppelganger of herself is living there and behaving radically different from her. The doppelganger soon becomes aware of her presence in the drawings and begins to destroy them, causing parts of the fantasy world to collapse. Valentine betrays Helena to the Queen of Shadows in exchange for a large reward of jewels. The Queen's servants warp Helena's mind so she will believe she is the Princess of Shadows. Valentine has a change of heart and returns to the Queen's palace, and helps Helena to break the spell on her. They search the Princess' room, and Helena discovers the MirrorMask hidden in the Princess' mirror. They flee the castle with the charm.
As they escape to Valentine's flying tower, Helena realizes that her doppelganger in the real world is the Princess of Shadows, who had used the MirrorMask to step through the windows in Helena's drawings. The Princess destroys the rest of the drawings in Helena's room, preventing Helena from returning, and Helena and Valentine disappear in the collapsed world. The Princess takes the drawings to the building's roof to disperse the shreds into the wind, but discovers one more drawing Helena had made on the back of the roof door. Helena successfully returns to the real world, sending the Princess back to her realm. At the same time, the White Queen finally awakens and the two Cities are restored to their natural balance.
Helena returns to her apartment to learn that her mother's operation was successful; Helena returns to happily help at the circus. Sometime later, Helena becomes fascinated by a young man, strongly resembling Valentine, who wants to be a juggler for the circus.

Review: The end result, visually at least, is like nothing you've ever seen before, and absolutely worth seeing for that reason alone.Some of the people I talked to after the screening also loved the visuals but felt the story was a bit dull, that they had seen it all before.
One thing Henson could do with his puppets that many others never really aspired to do was create fantasy the likes that weren't really done again, and his legacy lives on, using the enriching and creative mind of Gaiman, the celebrated British fantasy writer and comic book artist whose vivid imagination was so perfectly translated into film using practically every chemical for fantasy possible: CGI, animation, painting, set design, split-screen, superimposition, saturated colors, I even think there were moments of stop-motion animation.The story is about a fifteen-year-old girl named Helena who works for a circus.
It might even be possible to say that anybody who has a real problem with it is just taking it too seriously, but that argument always goes in the wrong direction so forget about it.One of the things I think that's important about a film like this is that it's not really a kids movie.
Title: Mirrormask (2005) Director: Dave McKean Cast: Stephanie Leonidas, Gina McKee, Rob Brydon, Jason Barry, Dora Bryan Review: Dave McKean and Neil Gaiman have partnered up in the past to write some visually astounding children's books.
Only this time around, the images move and actors say the words in this way helping to bring McKeans art and Gaimans words to vibrant life.The story in Mirrormask is about a young girl called Helena.
So once Helena falls as sleep thinking about all these things she enters her imaginary dreamworld where everything has a representation of what she knows from real life.This is a very visual film.
Nothing is what you would expect.Some people might feel that this type of movie is all style and art and no substance simply because its such a visual film.
She was quick and witty and she realizes the situation in which she is in quickly and I liked that about her character which was very well played by Stephanie Leonides.So in conclusion, this film will blow you away with both its visuals and its story.
They are both legendary successes and have a devoted fan base from comic books (the Sandman series, for one), novels, short stories, posters, CD art, and much more.It quickly becomes clear that MirrorMask is the creation of talented and imaginative artists completely unfettered by the bounds of traditional film-making.
The end result is a run-of-the-mill Alice in Wonderland rip-off, with some elements from Labyrinth and other familiar children's tales.I have to give extra credit to Stephanie Leonidas, who does a great job bringing Helena, a girl who ends up lost in the world of her Dali-meets-Picasso-meets-McKean drawings, to life.I hope this movie will get picked up for theater distribution, because it deserves to be seen on the big-screen.
The amazing dreamscapes of Helena is truly Dave McKean's art brought to life, and is just through and through a perfect fit for Neil Gaiman's highly imaginative and at times quirky style of writing.
The obvious "Alice in Wonderland-esquire" story makes things a bit predictable since we've seen it several times, but if one were to sit back and enjoy the magic and the characters, then enjoyment is practically guaranteed.
MirrorMask is like the crack baby of Labyrinth and Alice in Wonderland--but this baby is more stylized, modern, and incredibly beautiful.I am a huge fan of both Dave McKean and Neil Gaiman's work.
I saw "Mirrormask" last night and it was an unsatisfactory experience.It is a film that is visually rich but with slow direction, poor plot line and 2-dimensional characterisation.I did, however, know this when I went in.
There are some clear links back to Lewis Carroll and Alice's Adventures In Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass and it shares the dark, twisted sense of humour seen in earlier Henson Company films like Labyrinth and Dark Crystal.The whole film is captivating and visually gorgeous.
Still, I would give the rest a chance...Atmospherically seemed very gloomy to me,the whole thing, lighting and sets and the rest, which could have been good, if the Kenny-g on acid would not have been constantly nagging through the whole thing...The story was way way too thin to carry the interest throughout, and not only was it thin,it was very very predictably unoriginal also...I am sure people are gonna hate me for this, but I wasn't that impressed by the graphics either: very cold and dark feel they gave me...I kinda fell into the trap of it being a Henson-production, but the coldness of the graphics makes me think back of the time when actual puppetry with actual puppets made brilliant movies, like all the muppet-movies, and of course the masterpiece The Dark Crystal...So veryvery disappointed here....
I grew up on movies like The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Legend and The Neverending Story, but I didn't enjoy MirrorMask, for two reasons.It seemed that the writers decided to rewrite well-traveled children's film territory while just adding some new ideas.
Artistically and creatively, it's impressive, and I can understand why it has the beginnings of a cult following: Mirror Mask is better than Labyrinth (a similar Jim Henson Company movie) in a lot of ways.
I appreciate Neil Gaiman's work, I've enjoyed many projects associated with Jim Henson's studio, and I like offbeat fantasy films from independent filmmakers.
I saw this movie on a rainy day, however, and even though there was an awful rainstorm outside--- I STILL contemplated leaving.I started to have an inkling of how bad this film was when the credits took forever, but when I realized that most of the story took place in the "real" word I knew there was no hope.
Stop motion or the typical Henson style puppets could have saved this film, however for some reason (budget?) they did not pick that option.Besides that, the main character had little personality and her behavior was not believable for someone trapped in a surreal nightmarish dream world.
Besides that, for most of the film I was wondering how long it would take until it's over and that's usually not a good sign."Nightmare Before Christmas" was a wonderful surreal and dark little story that captivated the hearts of many viewers and "Mirrormask" tries to be something similar but unfortunately it failed at many levels..
What amazing prospects for a fantasy film, to have two prolific artists; Dave McKean and Neil Gaiman combining their talents to create a work (in Gaiman's words) "sort of in the same style as Labyrinth." In fact, Jim Henson's Workshop did a lot of the visual effects for the film.
A 15-year old circus girl enters a strange land occupied by bizarre characters, where she must find a 'mirrormask' in order to restore order to her life.Whilst disaffected goths, weirdos and Gaiman fanboys might lap up this pretentious crapa tepid fusion of Labyrinth and Alice in Wonderlandanyone with one iota of sense will recognise this bilge for the unadulterated piffle that it is.Before you get the wrong end of the stick, I would like to say that I like fantasy.
But Mirrormask failed to connect with me on any level.It's almost as if the makers were trying too hard to be freaky and bizarre.An hour-and-a-half of complete narrative codswallop and absolutely naff CGI effects, Mirrormask is perhaps the worst example of this kind of film that it has been my misfortune to witness.On a positive note, however, Stephanie Leonidas (who plays Helena) is a total hottielike a much better looking (and younger) Helena Bonham-Carter..
Unfortunately, the film ended up in one of those "style over substance" pile of movies.Whereas most kids dream about running away from home to join a circus, Helena is a kid who has grown up in a circus (child labour, anyone?) who wishes to run away to join Real Life.
Next thing you know, Helena's mother flops over, and for some reason, she is suddenly transported to another world.Meanwhile, I felt as if I was transported to the Museum of Contemporary Art with a pair of foggy sepia-tinted glasses.The showcase of CGI-generated creatures and backdrop was interesting at first, and I liked the Orbiting Giants.
However, I walked out feeling that it was something I needed to see, I didn't want my time refunded as with most movies I don't genuinely enjoy.The story of Mirrormask is about a teenage girl who works with her family at the circus.
And art (McKean's and Gaiman's) is not just part of the aesthetic of the film, but a major theme for the plot.Helena (Leonidas) is a circus performer and artist in her teens who draws obsessively.
MirrorMask is an enchanting story about a young circus performer named Helena who after her mother falls ill finds herself dreaming off to a new world that is unlike anything I've ever seen.
The CGI world created by Dave Mckean and Jim Henson productions is unlike anything I have ever seen its just indescribable (If you know Dave's work from comics this is like all his art in 3D), your eyes will be amazed by this movie after the first 20 minutes.
Although the story is on the same path as you were expecting from Neil's previous works, it left me with a desire to SEE something else.The music ,for the most part of the movie, is struggling to find a direction, and the acting is leaving a LOT to be expected...Imagine that you are in the desert, and you are looking desperately for water; somewhere it might be,but when you get closer to it, it vanishes.That's what's happening with the direction in this film: it wanders from perfect to amateur back and forth a few time, that in the end it makes you wander if it's just one director or may...:(Nevertheless, it's quite original, and it deserves to be seen just for the unique techniques used, but don't expect a masterpiece: this is clearly an artsy movie gone wrong...Sorry..just a 7 from 10..
Please leave such drastic demarcations to misguided geo-politicians, and in our art let's strive for something more intertwined.Ultimately I'd say save this maybe for a rainy day, unless you are a die-hard Gaiman fan (i.e. you *loved* "Good Omens") or are a supporter of Dave McKean (then watch the film with your finger on the pause button and stop to enjoy certain frames).5/10.
Helena meets a juggler named Valentine and together they have to find the mirrormask to revive the queen of the light world and return home.The most amazing thing about this movie is the style and special effects.
If you've ever seen Dave McKean's art the feel of the film is a lot like that.I thought the movie was very well done and had a very interesting story as well.
Helena, played by Stephanie Leonidas has to find the Mirrormask to save her.This film lends itself to the standard coming of age tale, where a child is trapped in a fantasy land of in a dream-state seeking a key to unlock her maturity.
Jason Barry plays her side-kick, Valentine as the pair encounter all sorts of creatures and solve riddles to find the Mirrormask.So here it is, we have seen Jim Henson's maverick creations in Labyrinth and David McKean's animation abilities (including being a conceptual artist on the first Harry Potter movie) but the eye candy is all we get- great for kids but parents accompanying their ankle-biters may be left a little wanting.
Still, it's very well done but, also, not really a "kiddie" film - despite the involvement of The Jim Henson Co.; the performances, too, naturalistic and larger-than-life where appropriate, are surprisingly effective.While highly impressive as a technical achievement and undeniably complex script-wise, the film can still be enjoyed on the surface as pure fantasy and, as such, it should be better known; indeed, with time, it's likely to garner cult status....
A really good, well made, intelligent British fantasy film.Illustrator David McKean's debut feature Mirrormask is a labyrinth esquire fantasy which launches you into a wonderful world in which a young girl and her companion must re-establish the natural equilibrium between light and shadow or the land will be engulfed in darkness.The script is sharp and funny with some excellent cameos.
Also the performances from Stephanie Leonidas as the young girl Helen, Gina McKee as Helen's mother, and Jason Barry as Valentine are all very good, and despite the weak story, very engaging.Good as the effects and images are, there is the feeling that they are a series of scenes put together to show off the most bizarre and visually engaging effects that the team could create.
MirrorMask, the film Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean created is out in limited release.
MIRRORMASK looks exactly like the kind of arty, pretentious little fantasy film that an A-level art student with a budget would produce.
Despite the presence of such creative artists as Neil Gaiman, this comes across as a desperately low budget little film which has all of its imagination and creative energy put into the visuals rather than the plot, which leads to a narrative that wanders and meanders all over the place.When it comes to film-making, the writing is the most important thing in a movie (the only exception are action films, where the fight choreography is equally important).
There is a lot of detail in the effects, like lens flares, expressionistic, deep colors, and detailed and weird environments; almost as if the director wanted to create a living painting.That is perhaps the best way to describe this movie; a work of art.
MirrorMask had a great look and tons of potential, but the story just didn't hold up - especially in the all important second act.Gaiman, a solid and profound writer, created an excellent visual landscape, but his fantasy tale lacked conflict and excessive hardships for the characters.
The fragmented comic-book art of Dave Mckean comes to life in MirrorMask, a simple fantasy tale of a inverted world, and girl on a quest.The plot is kinda standard with some fantastical twists from screen writer Niel Gaiman(Beawolf, Stardust, The ...(read more)Sandman(comics), which kinda defy description floating colossal golems, penguin apes with wings, Sphinx like alley cats who eat books, flying towers, etc.
If you like all encompassing visual spectacle and don't mind a simplistic children's film plot, it's well worth the time.
If you don't like surrealism in art (e.g. similar to Salvador Dali work) and in music, if you think stories about a teenager coming of age have been done too many times and if dreamlike fantasies are not your cup of tea, then please DON'T watch this movie, because you will not enjoy it.
The way the movie is made makes it worth watching; it combines makeup, computer animation and highly artistic drawing to create this magical world where darkness and light are in imbalance and everything is going to end unless the girl finds the Mirror Mask.Bottom line: another fairytale.
Mirrormask is a British children's' film directed by Dave McKean and written by Neil Gaiman  two veterans of the more stylish type of comic books.
Mirrormask seamlessly combines amazingly beautiful visuals, great costumes, individually different CGI, admirable acting and a great story.I notice some people don't like the story plot, understandably it does have Alice in Wonderland/Snow White parallels, however it effortlessly captures that magical feeling created in earlier Henson films such as Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal.
It was like a step back in time to that "butterfly feeling" in the stomach and wide eyed wonderment at the jaw dropping world created by Dave McKean and Neil Gaiman.The film has a definite menacing undertone that's never quite released onto the screen in its full fury, the interplay between dark and light and the creatures that inhabit the Maskworld have a subversive animosity.
Just like Lewis Carroll did with "Alice in Wonderland" almost 150 years ago, writer Neil Gaiman and director Dasve McKean update the fairy tale in this fantasy story about growing up and facing real life with all its consequences.
The vivid imagination of artist turned director McKean fits perfectly with Gaiman's highly inventive narrative, and just like in their previous collaborations in the comic book industry, they take fantasy to the next level."MirrorMask" is the story of Helena, the teenage daughter of a couple of circus owners who also works with them.
Like a good fairy tale, "MirrorMask" is filled with metaphors and lessons that are delivered in subtle and imaginative ways making the movie flow easily and similar to the classic style of "Hero's Journey" that Gaiman is so fond of.Stephanie Leonidas carries the lead role with grace and shows why she is a promising talent for future generations.
While on a very small role, Rob Brydon shines as Helena's father and Circus owner who watches desperately how the love of his life is consumed by the disease.The visuals, created by McKean himself and developed by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, complete McKean's vision of Gaiman's world and are simply amazing.
The Jim Henson Company, hoping to emulate their now classic Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, has financed the film, with the screenplay provided by Neil Gaiman and his long-time collaborator Dave McKean directing the film.
Unlike those efforts however Mirrormask features a believable fantasy world, populated by strange and unusual creatures and where fish fly through the air.McKean has always had the ability to create striking imagery as his cover for The Sandman books will attest, and it's his visual flair that really shines here, hardly surprising considering the film 18 months of post-production.
As graphic novels slowly (and respectively) start to become a standard part of our literary world, as artists like Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean continue to be imaginative and provocative, we will only see more films like MirrorMask be released.
The always brilliant and one of a kind visual creativity of Dave McKean, mixed with the always imaginative and unrivaled worlds created in the writing of Neil Gaiman.