The Mask (1994)
78%RT Audience Score: 68%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
6 wins & 21 nominations total
It misses perhaps as often as it hits, but Jim Carrey’s manic bombast, Cameron Diaz’ blowsy appeal, and the film’s overall cartoony bombast keep The Mask afloat
The Mask” is a wild ride of physical comedy and state-of-the-art cinema illusion that showcases Jim Carrey’s insane talent. He’s like a cartoon character come to life, with his green face and limber limbs. The gangland plot may be flimsy and the jokes erratic, but who cares when you have Carrey going overboard as the wild, cartoonish hero? It’s the perfect role for him, and he gives it his all. Plus, let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good rubber-faced comedian? “The Mask” is a must-watch for anyone who wants to laugh until their sides hurt.
Production Company(ies)
Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Pictures, Marvel Entertainment,
Distributor
New Line Cinema, Laurenfilm S.A.
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Fire Station 23 – 225 E. 5th Street, Los Angeles, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for some stylized violence
Year of Release
1994
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:DTS
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 41m
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Language(s):English, Swedish
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jul 29, 1994 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 22, 2010
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz, Peter Riegert, Peter Greene, Amy Yasbeck, Richard Jeni, directed by Chuck Russell, written by Mike Werb, comedy, PG-13, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Steven Rea, Michael Sragow, Gene Siskel, Jay Boyar, Kenneth Turan, Owen Gleiberman, Mal Vincent, Fico Cangiano, Mike Massie, Stephen Wigler, Gary Thompson, Candice Russell, The Mask, Norse god Loki, bank clerk, magical mask, supernatural playboy, nightclub singer, junior crime lord, physical comedy, state-of-the-art cinema illusion, cartoonish bombast, manic bombast, blowsy appeal, Robert Engelman, New Line Cinema, Laurenfilm S.A., Surround, Stereo, DTS, Jim Carrey’s hyperactive gooniness, Robin Williams, slapstick performance, outlandish, animated vibe, green-faced titular craze, CG effects, obvious hiccups, hysteria, wild, energy, ecstatic, Robin Williams, top horror movies, MCU movies, Netflix series, TV premiere dates, worst horror movies, renewed & cancelled TV shows, 2022’s most anticipated movies, 2022’s most anticipated TV & streaming
Worldwide gross: $351,583,407
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $711,297,312
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 171
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 77,567,864
US/Canada gross: $119,938,730
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $242,651,088
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 271
US/Canada opening weekend: $23,117,068
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $46,768,727
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 261
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $23,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $46,531,884
Production budget ranking: 844
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $25,057,419
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $639,708,009
ROI to date (est.): 894%
ROI ranking: 142
Cameron Diaz – Tina Carlyle
Peter Riegert – Lt. Mitch Kellaway
Peter Greene – Dorian Tyrell
Amy Yasbeck – Peggy Brandt
Richard Jeni – Charlie Schumaker
Director(s)
Chuck Russell
Writer(s)
Mike Werb
Producer(s)
Robert Engelman
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
6 wins & 21 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (54) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (43) | Rotten (11)
When his face turns green and his limbs get limber, Carrey’s pretty much unstoppable. This cartoon-y creation is an amazing fusion of physical comedy and state-of-the- art cinema illusion.
April 12, 2013 | Rating: 2.5/4
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer
TOP CRITIC
The gangland plot is flimsy (bad guy Peter Greene wears too much eyeliner), and the jokes are erratic, but it’s a far better showcase for Carrey’s comic-from-Uranus talent than Ace Ventura.
April 12, 2013
Michael Sragow
New Yorker
TOP CRITIC
Carrey and his aggressive overbite are back, but this time he’s better used as an ingredient instead of as the plot.
April 12, 2013 | Rating: 3/4
Gene Siskel
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
If a movie star was born in Ace Ventura, he is christened in The Mask. Quite simply, this is the best and freest crazy comedy to come along since Beetlejuice.
April 12, 2013
Jay Boyar
Orlando Sentinel
TOP CRITIC
Not only is he adept at physical humor, the kind of knockabout stuff that recalls the classic silent clowns, but Carrey also has a bright and likable screen presence, a lost puppy quality that is surprisingly endearing.
April 12, 2013 | Rating: 3/5
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
Carrey now has the clout to find a vehicle worthy of his hyperactive gooniness. When he does, we’ll see if he’s truly a jester for our time or simply the moron of the moment.
July 6, 2010 | Rating: C+
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Jim Carrey is the movies’ wildest physical comic in decades. Come to think of it, has there ever been anyone quite this insane?
February 25, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Mal Vincent
The Virginian-Pilot
Jim Carrey is perfectly cast as the wild, cartoonish hero with small dark tones. [Full review in Spanish]
August 14, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5
Fico Cangiano
CineXpress Podcast
What an absolutely perfect role for the out-of-control, rubber-faced Jim Carrey, giving him purpose and plot that allows him to go as overboard as he wants.
September 14, 2020 | Rating: 9/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
Carrey may be the finest comic to come along since Robin Williams.
April 12, 2013 | Rating: 3/4
Stephen Wigler
Baltimore Sun
Adults should also be advised that the previews show most of the good effects, and are 100 minutes shorter.
April 12, 2013 | Rating: 2/4
Gary Thompson
Philadelphia Daily News
Carrey, the star of the surprising hit Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and a regular on TV’s In Living Color, acquits himself well in a part of sublime goofiness.
April 12, 2013
Candice Russell
South Florida Sun-Sentinel…
Plot
Timid bank clerk, Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey). Unfortunately, he’s too gentle, and is unable to handle confrontations. After one of the worst days, he finds a mask which depicts Loki, the Norse god of mischief. When he puts it on, he becomes his inner, self: a cartoon wild man. After Ipkiss’s alter ego indirectly kills the friend of small time crime boss, Dorian Tyrel (Peter Greene),he wants the green-faced goon destroyed.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels praises Jim Carrey’s “manic bombast” and Cameron Diaz’s “blowsy appeal” in The Mask.
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