You Remind Me of the Film (What Film?): MIRRORMASK

This is the most gorgeous film you will see this year. It stretches its measely budget to epic proportions and is so full of ideas and freshness that it is almost unbelievable that everyone in the world is not talking about this film like the did of say Moulin Rouge. The movie is MIRRORMASK and it comes from the minds of Neil Gaiman (screenwriter) and Dave McKeon (director, design) who the astute pop culture student will know form the SANDMAN comics and several graphic novels. I first came into contact with McKeon's artwork in illustrations for Stephan King's DARK TOWER series and have been dying to see him get into film since. And I was not disappointed. This is the most amazing looking film I've seen in years. Locations, creatures, film styles, costumes, make up design, if this doesn't get a nomination for every visual academy award then I don't know what's wrong. It is breathtaking.

The story is hard to explain. A young circus performer enters a fantastical world divided into the kingdoms of light and darkness, where the balance has been altered. She must hunt down a charm to right the land. But really its about a girl growing up and making piece with her mother. Most of the characters double from her real life in the fantasy world (kind of like Wizard of Oz) and the whole fantasy sequence plays out like a metaphor... only its real ... or is it? Which is part of the genius of the movie - you are never really sure if it's all in her head or if is actually happening. Tonally, the nearest comparison I can make is Labyrinth, the mid-eighties jim henson-david bowie spectacular. It has some of the look (though obviously aged 20 years) and feel but it is a children's movie. Mirrormask, although it would appeal to kids, is certainly only going to be fully appreciated by adults. There are also no musical numbers. Or actors of any stature. So the comparison, though apt, only prepares you for what you will see, not what you will experience.

The cast, a group of unknowns (unless you consider the role of "Tommy Ryan" in Titanic memorable - do you even remember Tommy Ryan? Yeah I thought not) give adequate performances - they kind of hit one-note throughout and hold it. It's an effective note, but this is not the place to search for future oscar winners. I also have to go right and blame the director, who probably does not the experience of working with actors to get varied performances out of them. In fact, I'd have to say this would probably be a better movie if the two artists had gotten a third one to direct it and just focused on story and design. But that is only a minor knock against this movie, actually. Its like the recent Star Wars movies - no one went expecting great performances or directing. You went to SEE it and watch the STORY. And MIRRORMASK satisfies in every way on that.

MIRRORMASK is recommended for fans of the DARK CRYSTAL, anyone interested in visual art/design, anyone who ever wanted to run off and join the circus and people who want more out of their movies than just to laugh. Rick's Rating" A-