Review of Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006) by Matthew W — 22 Apr 2008

This movie excited me because it was something I have never seen. It was a movie with a "behind the scenes" look at being a supernatural serial killer. The movie begins with a reporter talking about the horrible aftermath left in Haddonfield, IL (Halloween), Camp Crystal Lake (Friday The 13th), and of course Elm Street (Nightmare On Elm Street).

She then speaks about the next supernatural villain to curse the town he lived in, Leslie Vernon. What we get after this, is a true behind the scenes look at the creation of a legendary supernatural killer.

The face of this killer, an affable nice guy Leslie Vernon! What is humorous (note: I did not say funny) is how nice and likable Vernon is, even when he off-handedly talks about how he is stalking his victims or how he plans to kill them all.

There are so many horror conventions that are discussed in this film, that you almost have to be a slasher film aficionado to fully enjoy this movie. Some examples, Leslie takes them on a mock "victim stalk" where he shows how he would search for victims.

He points out a group of jocks and cheerleaders and discusses how they are a perfect mix of raging hormones and stupidity to make great victims. Then he points out the stoners who are "slower and easier to catch" to pad the body count.

He then points out the virginal "survivor girl" who seems to somehow notice his presence and stares worriedly at him in the van. He grins and jumps around with excitement saying "Did you see that! She sensed me!".

What is great about this scene is that you have seen this same sequence in countless slasher films from the victims perspective. You never would imagine that this would be the reaction from the killer's side.

There are so many of these moments that this review would be 80 pages long if I said them all. I will just say, the last fourth of the film has a great twist and becomes more like the slasher film it parodies.

The acting is good and believable and the camera work is great. You can tell the difference from when it goes from shaky shoulder-cam work (like a real documentary would be) to multiple movie camera style (when the "real" stalking sequences and last portion of the movie takes place).

The reason why I didn't give this interesting take on the genre a better score was a cardinal sin for this type of movie. The gore was bad. The killings were weak and uninventive. The gore effects were terrible at best.

If KNB (a top notch gore effects crew) came and worked on this, this would be a classic. As well, while this film was funny conceptually, it really wasn't laugh out loud hilarious. While I think that would have diminished the film, it may throw some people off who like the "horror comedy" genre.

Also, what was the story behind the mask? Most slasher films have some sort of explanation for the mask the killer wears, but that was left out here. It is minor, but the mask is in the title of the movie.

.. Anyway, I give it 8/10 for the great concept and well done execution (except for the actual executions).