AVS Discussions
Movie and TV Discussion => Movie reviews => Topic started by: David Vaughn on November 08, 2025, 01:07:11 PM
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(https://i.imgur.com/8SPBc6W.jpeg)
Studio: Arrow Video
Release Date: November 11, 2025
Rating: PG-13
Film: 3.5/5
Plot
Mild-mannered bank clerk Stanley Ipkiss’ (Jim Carrey) life transforms when he discovers an ancient wooden mask that unleashes his wild, cartoonish alter-ego—a green-faced, zoot-suited whirlwind of chaos with reality-bending powers. As the Mask wreaks havoc on Edge City, Stanley must balance his double life, protect his loyal dog Milo, and confront the mask’s dark origins before it consumes him entirely.
My Thoughts
Jim Carrey has always been a hit or miss actor for me, but The Mask is perfectly suited for his style of acting and launched his already successful career into the stratosphere. Even 30 years later, the film’s energy is infectious, blending Looney Tunes slapstick with gangster tropes from a bygone era, all brought together by Carrey’s comedic genius. Cameron Diaz makes her feature film debut as the leading lady and as the Mask would say, she’s Smoooooookin’. It’s easy to root for Stanley as the underdog, but the plot thins out in the latter half and some of the jokes were a lot funnier back in the 90s.
Arrow Video’s UHD release shines and is a massive upgrade over the previously released Blu-ray from Warner Brothers well over a decade ago. The original 35mm camera negatives were scanned in 4K/16-bit resolution at Warner Brothers Motion Pictures Imaging and color graded at Duplitech with QC provided by Pixelogic with final approval from director Chuck Russell. The results are absolutely fantastic. The 1.85:1 presentation contains both HDR10 and Dolby Vision that deliver razor-sharp detil in the mask’s swirling greens and Edge City’s neon lights. Colors pop vividly without any sort of banding, contrast is deep, and the black levels are deep and inviting.
The newly created Dolby Atmos mix is just as impressive with crisp dialog amid the chaotic cartoon-like scenes and the surrounds envelop with precise environmental immersion such as in the club and back alley scuffles. When the mask first makes an appearance, the height channels come to life and the LFE is robust and bold, just how I like it.
Video 10/10
Audio 10/10 (Dolby Atmos)
Special Features:
- Two Audio Commentaries
- The Man Behind the Mask
- From Strip to Screen
- Green Faces blue Screens
- Sssssssplicin’!
- Ask Peggy
- Toeing the Conga Line – Making The Mask Move
- Terriermania
- Archival Features
- Deleted Scenes
- B Roll
- Image Galleries
- Collectible packaging including reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options
- Illustrated collector’s booklet
- Double-sided poster
- Six postcard-sized reproduction artcards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZl69yk5lEY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZl69yk5lEY)
Conclusion
Arrow Films has done an outstanding job on this restoration with reference audio and video that honor Russell’s chaotic vision. While it’s not my favorite Carrey film it has a very cult-like following and it’s easy to see why. The film is very energetic and features a lot of 90s fun, even with its flaws. Fans will be very happy with the effort Arrow put into the restoration and should have no problem adding it to their collection.
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(I utilized Portrait Displays' (https://www.portrait.com/) Calman color calibration software)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Zidoo UHD8000 Media Player
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
Mini DSP HD
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner
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Great review, David.
I really appreciate the work Arrow is putting into these releases, on both the audio and video sides. Looks like an easy choice for anyone thinking about the upgrade to 4K and Atmos.
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Thanks David. I have the Blu-ray and have enjoyed this movie so many times. He is just perfect for it and so is Cameron Diaz. by the way, what is your favorite Jim Carrey movie?
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Thanks David. I have the Blu-ray and have enjoyed this movie so many times. He is just perfect for it and so is Cameron Diaz. by the way, what is your favorite Jim Carrey movie?
I really like Liar, Liar, The Mask is probably 2 or 3---I liked his role in The Grinch who Stole Christmas too. I was not a fan of the Pet Detective movies at all (much too corny for me), but I thought Carrey was great on "In Living Color." I especially liked when he played Captain Kirk.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Gqrj6l3prW0
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Greetings,
Totally agree that Jim Carrey's schtick runs hot and cold. I don't particular care for this one, but that that Arrow did a great job with it.
Favorite Jim Carrey roles:
The Truman Show
The Majestic
Liar Liar
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Bruce Almighty
I am sure that there are others but these immediately come to mind.
Regards,
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Greetings,
Totally agree that Jim Carrey's schtick runs hot and cold. I don't particular care for this one, but that that Arrow did a great job with it.
Favorite Jim Carrey roles:
The Truman Show
The Majestic
Liar Liar
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Bruce Almighty
I am sure that there are others but these immediately come to mind.
Regards,
The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind are great, and are better on repeat viewings over the years. I can pass on the rest myself after seeing them once.
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Liar liar and Truman show are it for me. Everything else is a one and done if that
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Liar liar and Truman show are it for me. Everything else is a one and done if that
I forgot about the Truman show...that's a good one as well.