5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A young archaeologist believes he is cursed by a mask that causes him to have weird nightmares and possibly to murder. Before committing suicide, he mails the mask to his psychiatrist, Dr. Barnes, who is soon plunged into the nightmare world of the mask.
Starring: Paul Stevens, Claudette Nevins, Bill Walker (I), Anne Collings, Leo LeydenHorror | 100% |
Surreal | 2% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.67:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
None
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Blu-ray 3D
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
“The Mask” is an exercise in strangeness, but only in spurts. The 1961 Canadian production is a frustrating sit, alternating between static dramatic passages teeming with banal exposition and visits to a nightmare realm brought on by the wearing of a special cursed mask. Surreal horror meets television procedural in the mediocre feature, which carries an abundance of eeriness, encountered through the display of some truly unsettling visuals.
The AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "The Mask" provides a look at terrific restoration efforts, with the feature refreshed and purposeful again. Black and white cinematography is balanced to satisfaction, with delineation open for study during intense shadow play. Grain is fine and filmic, while detail is superb, capturing odd textures on the mask and facial wounds, while the dream sequences provide many pauseable moments. Source is primarily clean, though 3-D scenes encounter a few rougher moments, with minor damage popping into view. The disc offers a 2-D presentation as well.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix is primarily frontal in design, handling dialogue exchanges with adequate clarity, but still combating some crispy highs. Scoring is aggressive, supporting as intended, far more convincing when commanding the listening experience, adding some needed heaviness. The dream sequences trigger a broader soundscape, and while the effect isn't as dynamic as it could be, depth is welcomed, eased along by strange atmospherics and scoring.
"The Mask" is short, but it feels long, creating a desire to remain behind the titular nightmare machine, where the production shows the most creativity and comfort. Performances are professionally executed, but director Julian Roffman isn't one to build pace, leaving the feature deflated before it works up the nerve to return to evil. It's an uneven film, but for the mask sequences alone, it's worth a look.
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