Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4522 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-06-05
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Hindi
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 97 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
This visually stunning film is the product of a collaboration of award-winning graphic novelist Neil Gaiman (creator of the much-lauded Sandman series), his frequent collaborator Dave McKean (Cages), and The Jim Henson Company, themselves no strangers to elaborate fantasies such as The Dark Crystal. and Labyrinth. As with the latter film, MirrorMask focuses on a young woman unhappy with her daily existence; here, the artistically inclined Helena (Stephanie Leonides), is at odds with her circus performer parents. When a careless insult appears to send her mother (Gina McKee) into a coma, Helena withdraws into the dark and elaborate world of her drawings, in which a scenario very similar to her predicament in the real world is unfolding. Gaiman and director McKean create arresting images to populate Helena's world, and the Henson Company brings them vividly to life with CGI; though the story is occasionally murky, the fantasy elements are imaginative enough to enthral what will undoubtedly be the film's toughest customers--younger viewers. --Paul Gaita

Synopsis
Reminiscent of ALICE IN WONDERLAND and LABYRINTH, MIRRORMASK is a fantasy tale of an intelligent young girl on a journey through a magical world. It is also a visually astounding piece of filmmaking, updating the fairytale quest in a coming-of-age story imbued with dark beauty. Written by acclaimed graphic novelist Neil Gaiman (SANDMAN) and directed by frequent collaborator and illustrator Dave McKean, the film mixes live action and animation to great effect, while managing to keep Gaiman's aesthetic largely intact. Stephanie Leonidas plays Helena, a young girl who juggles in her father's circus, but longs for a normal life. She spends her free time drawing elaborate, fantastical black-and-white pictures which cover every surface of her bedroom. One night, after an argument with her mother (Gina McKee)--during which Helena lets fly some rather painful pronouncements--Mum falls ill with an unspecified affliction. As the family waits for news and the circus struggles financially, Helena blames herself for the misfortune. The night before her mother's surgery, Helena is mysteriously transported to a world which bears a strong resemblance to her own drawings, and is populated by strange creatures who follow an even stranger logic. Helena and her travelling companion, fellow juggler Valentine (Jason Barry), sign on to find a mysterious charm which will wake the queen of the city (also played by McKee) from her deep sleep, defeating the forces of darkness and returning Helena home. The film's outstanding art direction is complemented by witty dialogue and some genuinely creepy moments (the words ‘don't let them see you're afraid’ are chill-inducing). Meanwhile, Leonidas's performance is remarkable, maintaining a likeability, charm, and freshness that is all the more amazing considering it was delivered against a green screen, with her special-effect co-stars edited in later.

Customer Reviews

surreal
Quirky and innovative dialogue--I would not label this as a film for children--not that children wouldn't enjoy it--but this a film written for those with a love or quirk and surrealism. Q. T film fans will eat this up, the film starts out fairly labyrinth ish--but then switches to Being John Malkovich ish towards the end--best way to describe it really.

The film is about young British girl Helena, a wonderful artist trapped at her family's off the wall circus that they run. She wants to 'run away to real life' which happens sooner then she expects as her mother is rushed to hospital and she is sent to stay with her nan in the grey streets of Brighton. However, againts her own will she is whisked to a strange surreal and dali-ish world where Spinx's stroll the streets looking for books, the queen of light lays sleeping in her temple and people wear masks to hdie their faces.

When I first watched it--I was drawn in by the quirky dialogue--don't let the the films 'surreal' aspects put you off--your be wanting to watch it again--the more you watch it the more you find.

A thing of beauty
Mirrormask, is, at a glance, nothing original in plot- teenage girl, family problems, disappears into fantasy world which reflects her own life; however, the script is quirky and likeable, the acting excellent, and the world itself a masterpiece of visual imagination and aesthetic delight. Bears a resemblance to Labyrinth (it was, after all, commission to cash in on that film's DVD success), but has far more invention, charm and intelligence.
Also has some comparisons with Paperhouse and The Company of Wolves. However, visally inventive and superb as those were, this goes one better, even if without quite the same darkness and depth- and this can be attributed to the fact it is nominally a fantasy for children rather than a fantasy about children for adults, which the other two are.

Mirrormask - A stunning arty fantasy film!!!
'Mirrormask' is one of those films you watch and think, hmmm, that was different, but did I like it or not? Then you watch it again and see more in it than the first time, then again and realise like a Salvador Dali painting it is not a film to be glimpsed at for there is more embedded in the work.
When you get into this film you then realise it has many layers. The main narrative is in many ways like a fairy tale and as a fairy tale it is loaded with symbolism and motifs. This film is a clever take on the remarkable duality of good and evil in children and adults, this is portrayed by the good and evil queens and daughters. Also the use of masks, keys and doors as re-current symbols of the nature of the self and both the imaginative and creative process (in Helena's drawings and dreamwork) makes this film far more psychological than it first appears.
The acting in the film is totally convincing and there are also some genuinely funny moments. What this film does so well by the end of it is make the unfamiliar, familiar and explore Helena's (possibly imaginary) world through the medium of film.
I don't give many items five stars in a review, but with "Mirrormask" I had no choice, it is so mind-blowingly different and refreshing I can only say buy it. At £4.99 it's a bargain and if you've got young teenagers it's a thought-provoking, moral, stunningly detailed rendition of a modern fairy tale.