WARNING: This Review Contains Spoilers
In 1994, Warner Brothers brought the Dark Horse Comics character The Mask to the big screens worldwide – with Jim Carrey in the leading role. Eleven years later and the sequel, Son of the Mask, followed in its footsteps but many wondered, was this the best idea?
Lack of Connection
Usually with a sequel, there is something that connects it to the first film. Take Scream for example, for all four films – we follow the same leading characters. When it comes to the Son of the Mask however, it is lacking in said connection. There is the vaguest reference to the havoc caused in Edge City by Stanley Ibkiss (played brilliantly by Jim Carey) when he took on the mask but beyond that – there is nothing.
I also get the feeling that possibly audiences are supposed to have forgotten the ending to The Mask. The reason I say this is, to gain the mask in the first place Tim’s dog Otis pulls it from what looks like a small river near their house. Of course, it is pointed out that where they live in Fringe City is 400km from Edge City but are we just going to ignore the fact that Mylo swims away with the mask at the end of the first film?
Cartoon Capers
One of the things I absolutely love about The Mask is that every time Stanley puts on the mask, the film almost turns into something out of the Looney Tunes. However, I feel in part that the sequel sometimes takes the cartoon comedy idea a little too far. For example, somehow – and I have no idea how – wearing the mask seems to affect three of Tim’s sperm, therefore creating the titular Son of the Mask. Why not all of them, why only three?
Also, Tim only wears the mask twice throughout the whole film. Instead Otis wears it for a reasonable amount of the film and it is because of this that it almost takes on a Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner feeling as he spends a lot of his time trying to get rid of baby Alvey but he’s outfoxed every time.
The Curse of Carey
I will admit, that due to having watched the films back to back in order to write this review, I could be being a little harsh on the Son of the Mask. I say this because I truly believe it must be hard to follow in the footsteps of someone with as much comedic talent as Jim Carey and unfortunately, Jamie Kennedy (the actor that plays Tim) really does not come up to the mark.
In Conclusion
It is a really shame that Son of the Mask does not live up to hilarity and feel good nature of The Mask. If you have not watched The Mask, thank me later when you do, but when it comes to Son of the Mask – don’t say I didn’t warn you.
