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Mirrormask - Spoiler Free Review

Waiting for the powers that be to allow truly creative works through the seams of Hollywood can be an exasperating process. Even then, the public does not often allow the truly beautiful outside of the independent theater or those that “art it up” with the foreign film. Here is where capitalism reigns- vote with your dollar. MirrorMask, helmed by Dave McKean and Neil Gaiman is a film that deserves more than it will ever get. It deserves a vote.

Imagine walking through a Dali landscape peopled by Picasso- or perhaps something a little more dangerous. Here we have an off-beat fairy tale with classic roots. A story of a heroine on a journey, innocence plagued by evil, shades of a Grimm tale. The hero cycle so favored by Mr. Gaiman shows itself prominently in this story. It’s a tale of two queens fighting in a bizarre land with only the hope and love of a young, misplaced girl to save the day; helped along in her journey by a wry and mysterious helper- the jester and unwilling guide. It works.

The characters have a depth to match the amazing, abstract scenery. The viewer is pulled in with the simple wonderment of what character will come out next. The Jim Henson Company did a marvelous job creating believable CGI characters to interact with; even when the form is a mere patchwork of humanity. At heart, this is a human story that takes the viewer through a world of mythic creatures and masked inhabitants with no detail overlooked by the creative engine driving this tale.

My one complaint concerns the soundtrack; other than a super-creepy spot involving Burt Bacharach, I found myself noticing it rather than allowing it to take me on a journey. Occasionally being pulled from the action of the story to wonder when Tricky learned the saxophone. I wanted more than Euro-jazz; I wanted calliope, majesty and emotional connection. Dissonance has its place and use, but tires the viewer quickly.

Who will this appeal to? Any in for the dark fairy story, any who have cut their teeth in the more arcane comic realms, any with a desire to see art meet film, those in need of an escape. It has queens, giants, riddles, heroes, villains, epic journeys, narrow escapes, love, loss, redemption; it is good for children and adults wishing to be transported to another world. Mirrormask held me in thrall. One viewing is not enough to see all of the amazing detail wrought through the piece. Enjoy a classic fantasy tale the likes of which rarely make it out through the machine.