Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		2.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

Masks Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 7, 2016

Paying tribute to the genre that’s inspired them the most, horror filmmakers have turned to the replication of their favorite giallo productions to help launch new work, with the German production “Masks” crafting a valentine to Dario Argento’s “Suspiria” as it generates its own sense of madness. More concerned with replication than stimulation, writer/director Andreas Marschall doesn’t have the budget or visual know-how to conjure righteous style and macabre events, but “Masks” has a plot that could definitely welcome something ghoulish, in need of a more seasoned moviemaker to bring it to life.

“Masks” follows Stella (a game Susen Ermich) to a remote drama school, where she hopes to expand her horizons as an aspiring actress, only to be met by a community of strange, hostile participants in the program. Her key to glory is the study of a forbidden acting method, one that summons madness to achieve the next level of mastery, requiring an adventurous soul willing to sample evil. Of course, all sorts of grim happenings break out, including murders and teases of insanity, permitting Marschall opportunities to create a rich giallo vibe, playing with colors, sound effects, and a driving score.

Masks Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.34:1 aspect ratio) presentation probably reaches as far as it can go with the movie's mediocre HD cinematography, though whites are excessively bloomy at times, giving characters a distracting glow. Detail is acceptable but not remarkable, showing texture with extreme close-ups, which largely explore panicky reactions and gore zone visits. Colors are acceptable, making sense of the feature's exaggerated palette. Delineation struggles. Banding and posturization are found throughout, with varying intensity.

Masks Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix is at its best with scoring cues, which sound big and defined, elevating the feature with satisfying instrumentation, filling the listening event. Music retains power, nicely balanced with dialogue exchanges, which keep their intensity, despite recording limitations. Surrounds build atmosphere but offer limited definition.

Masks Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• CD Soundtrack contains 21 tracks.

• Booklet (22 pages) offers a forward by Andreas Marschall, a Marschall biography, production stills, a "Masks" review by Kier-La Janisse, and an interview with Marschall.

• Baseball Card celebrates Susan Ermich as a "Reel Gore Girl."

• "Behind the Scenes" (15:02, HD) is a fly-on-the-wall look at the production of "Masks," watching the crew plan out shots and mount cameras, while the actors prepare between takes, enjoying mild camaraderie.

• Deleted Scenes (4:05, HD) are four character moments from the film.

• Slideshow (2:24) includes publicity stills.

• Music Video (4:26, HD) by an unnamed band brings a modern metal sound to promote "Masks."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:47, HD) and a 2016 Trailer (1:59, HD) are included.

Masks Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's nothing new to "Masks," though it certainly aspires to be an Argento-style romp. However, technical achievements are limited, with Marschall perhaps a bit too ambitious for his tiny budget. He doesn't completely whiff, as surreal parts of the movie should live up to fan standards. But as its own offering, "Masks" is missing polish and precision.