Review of MirrorMask (2005) by Ross M — 09 Dec 2009

From the mind of Neil Gaiman, Mirrormask is a fairytale that could easily draw comparisons to the "classic" film (though I couldn't stand it), Labyrinth. The story focuses on a girl, Helena, who's family runs an awkward little circus where everyone wears masks. Before one of the shows, Helena makes the mistake of uttering a hateful thing at her mother (much in the vein of "I wish you weren't my mother!"). That night her mother faints and is rushed to the hospital. I was never too sure of what the problem was, but it really didn't matter.

Helena winds up facing the reality of the world, the circus might not make it, and her mother may be lost if not for surgery. With all of this weighing on her mind, she goes to sleep only to be awaken by strange people all wearing masks that are pursued by mysterious black goop. It turns out that the black Queen of the land is looking for her daughter, and is destroying everything to find her. Meanwhile, the white queen, the only one who can balance the land, is in a coma. Can Helena make it back home?

I hate to really write anymore on the plot, as where's the fun in giving it all away! So onto the presentation:

The film is a visual feast. The effects were actually created by the Henson company, and all the creatures are wonderfully unique and creepy. My personal favorites being the Gryphon, the Sphinx, and the monkey birds. Although there isn't a single creature in the film that won't make your imagination run.

I also have to commend just the entire visual feel of the film. From the orbiting giants, to the Sphinx, to the entire feel of the land helena is trapped in. It's all just so beautiful.

Also appreciated are appearances of Stephen Fry as the Librarian, and Robet Llewellyn (who I watched for years as Kryton on Red Dwarf) as the Sphinx.

Overall, the film will blow you away visually, but the story is run of the mill. Still it is because of the visual presentation that you have to see the film.