The Mask Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

The Mask Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman October 30, 2025

To slightly paraphrase the inimitable Etta James, "what a difference a year made" for Jim Carrey in 1994. At the beginning of that year, he was still pretty much known chiefly for his often gonzo characterizations on In Living Color, but in February Ace Ventura: Pet Detective debuted, followed by The Mask in July. By the time Dumb and Dumber in December (maybe begging the question as to whether it's a Christmas film or not, a la Die Hard), Carrey was a certifiable movie star. Of his three 1994 efforts, it's at least arguable that The Mask gave him the best opportunity to strut his manic stuff, and the film's obvious love of old Tex Avery cartoons suffuses the story and what might be joking called Carrey's multiple personality disorder throughout the tale. Arrow is revisiting the well remembered film with new 1080 and 4K UHD limited editions, each with Arrow's typically handsome packaging and glut of on disc and "extracurricular" supplements.

The Mask had a long ago 1080 release by Warner Brothers in 2008, and an early The Mask Blu-ray review can be accessed on the site, though it's by a pseudonymous reviewer who predates my tenure here. While I doubt anyone coming to this review is seriously in need of a plot summary at this point, the old review at least has a few screenshots and a list of supplements that provide a baseline for comparison with this new release.

The Mask Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Mask is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. Arrow provides the same booklet for both its standalone 1080 and 4K releases, with the following information about the presentation:

The Mask has been restored by Arrow Films and is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 with 5.1 and stereo audio, plus a new Dolby Atmos mix exclusive to the UHD presentation.

The film is presented in 4K resolution in HDR10 and Dolby Vision.

The original 35mm camera negative was scanned in 4K / 16 bit resolution at Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging.

The film was restored in 4K resolution and color graded at Duplitech.

The Dolby Atmos mix was produced by Deluxe.

All materials sourced for this new mater were made available by Warner Bros.

QC review was completed by Pixelogic.

This new master of The Mask was reviewed and approved by Director Chuck Russell.

To quote a certain memorable line from the film, The Mask in this new 1080 version is indeed sssssmmmmokin', though I'll cut to the chase and certainly recommend those with the appropriate equipment opt for Arrow's 4K UHD release, which in addition to the visual blandishments also has the Dolby Atmos track mentioned above. Perhaps interestingly, the wide difference between some of the blander brown material featured in a lot of the normal (i.e., non Mask) scenes like those in the bank and Stanley apartment may not be quite as dramatic in this HDR-less environment. That said, the palette still shows some remarkable variety of both vividness and featured tones throughout, and once the Mask takes over Stanley's psyche, there are any number of really evocative looking moments, including the green of Stanley's mask laden face, as well as some of the lighting choices in the club that becomes a major location and site of a couple of the film's outstanding set pieces. CGI is quite artful given the timeframe of the technology, but understandably fine detail levels tend to be most impressive on practical sets and costumes. Considering some of the misty / hazy environments and at times rather heavy grain, there are no compression anomalies that I noticed.

The Mask Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Arrow is pulling a bit of "Disney" with its audio options, as outlined above, with the 4K disc having a Dolby Atmos mix which is not featured on this 1080 release. This release offers DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 options (which are also present on the 4K UHD disc in addition to the Atmos mix). While as with the video side of things I heartily recommend those with the appropriate equipment to opt for that release for the Atmos mix, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track on this disc is quite inviting and enjoyable on its own terms. Yes, there's even more activity noticeable on the Atmos track, probably especially with regard to some of the transformation scenes and the glut of swing era music, but the 5.1 track offers clear and consistent engagement of the side and rear channels throughout. While some of the insane panning effects in some of the Mask material probably don't have quite the same energy as in the Atmos track, they're still quite effective. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

The Mask Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Note: New supplements are indicated by an asterisk (*).

• Audio Commentaries

Director's Commentary




Filmmakers' Commentary

• The Man Behind the Mask* (HD; 20:27) is a new interview with director Chuck Russell.


• From Strip to Screen* (HD; 18:33) is a new interview with creator / executive producer Mike Richardson and screenwriters Mike Werb and mark Verheiden.


• Green Faces Blue Screens* (HD; 14:16) is a new interview with visual effects supervisor Scott Squires.


• Sssssssplicin'!* (HD; 6:50) is a new interview with editor Arthur Coburn.


• Ask Peggy* (HD; 12:37) is a new interview with Amy Yasbeck.


• Toeing the Conga Line - Making The Mask Move* (HD; 10:09) is a new interview with choreographer Jerry Evans.


• Terriermania* (HD; 10:18) is a new video essay by Elizabeth Purchell focusing on America's perceived obsession with Jack Russell Terriers.


• Archival Features

Return to Edge City (HD*; 27:18) traces the journey from comic to film.




The Making Of (HD; 3:11) is a brief EPK.




Interview Bites (HD; 4:38) offer snippets with cast and crew.




Introducing Cameron Diaz (HD*; 13:19)




Cartoon Logic (HD*; 13:44) looks at the influence of Tex Avery.




What Makes Fido Run (HD*; 10:52) shows how Milo was trained for the film.

• Deleted Scenes feature optional commentary by Chuck Russell:

Viking Scene (HD*; 1:50)




The Death of Peggy (HD*; 2:05)

• B Roll (HD; 5:24)


• Image Galleries

On Set Production Photos (HD)




Stills Gallery (HD)

*720

This is another pretty extravagantly packaged Limited Edition from Arrow, with a slipcover encasing a slipbox (both with appealing art) which itself holds a keepcase, booklet and poster. The keepcase has a reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options which are repeated on the fold out double sided poster. The keepcase also hold six postcard sized reproduction art cards. An illustrated collector's booklet offers good writing by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and a glut of other material.

The Mask Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Mask is frankly kind of an exhausting viewing experience, but it's also a ton of fun and offers Carrey one of his signature standout roles (emphasis on the plural). Arrow is providing fans another great release with solid technical merits and outstanding supplements, all in very handsome packaging. If you have 4K UHD equipment and an Atmos receiver, get Arrow's 4K version. Otherwise, this 1080 edition is Highly recommended.