Don't listen to the negative reviews

An absolute waste of money

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

"MirrorMask" tells the tale of an adolescent named Helen Campbell (Stephanie Leonidas) who has just been hit by the spell of teenage rebellion. Her parents run a successful circus and when her mother (Gina McKee)becomes terminally ill, she feels she is herself to blame all because she just wants to live the life like other girls. The night that her mother undergoes surgery, Helena gets transported into a mysterious dream world based on her drawings. In this world, lives mythological creatures, disappointing books and a queen who has been under a coma and the only way she could be regained of her power is through a charm or else this mysterious world will be overtaken by shadow."MirrorMask" is in conjunction with Jim Henson's Creature Shop and in under the helm of comic book legends Dave McKean and Neil Gaiman who directed and wrote the film. The movie itself is predominately laden was computer enhanced graphics. The majority of the sets are digitally dependent, even the performers seems to be digitally enhanced, now before you can utter the words "Sin City", you are out on a limb. In this movie, the faces of the characters are only partially utilized. For example, Stephen Fry who plays the Librarian the only part of his face that is not computer digitally enhanced was his mouth. The rest of the ensemble seem to be either sporting masks or their facial features are digitally saturated. There is no denial that "MirrorMask" is one of the most visually stunning film I have seen a very long time. And the beauty of this film will surely leave a sparkle in your eyes once the end credits roll. But under all those vibrant colours, leaves a story of near emptiness with a rather narrow plot behind all the surrealism. So all these decadent visuals are nothing but mere distractions between a rather non- existent story and after a while these visuals popping start to become quite tiresome and redundant. I am especially disappointed that Neil Gaiman the co-writer of "Good Omens" wrote the script I was having my expectations really high, instead he only wrote a script that was half-baked. Gaiman, where did you go wrong here?Also the performances did not really strike a positive note here. It's pretty clear that Stephanie Leonidas who plays Helena was only cast for her looks and nothing more. Her acting is flatter than a singular pancake and her one-dimensional emotions knowing the situation that she is in can be just as annoying as the overuse of CGI and visuals. The worst of it all is that her face is the only one that's not digitally dependent. This movie inspired me want to see Zang Yimou's "Hero" again because like "MirrorMask", the film was once again a visual sugar treat. The only difference was that "Hero" also had a great story behind the stunning visuals. "MirrorMask" had a contrasting impact on me. I thought with all those visuals, we could have seen a film taken in the same vein as any film "Terry Gilliam" could have directed, but in the end there was really nothing going for it in fact it gets very annoying and nonsensical. After the first hour I was looking patiently at the clock hoping that this film would end sooner than expected almost to the point where I didn't care about the direction of the film or even the characters for that matter. It's all about the too much style and very little substance.And while "Hero" had a more relaxing atmosphere in it visuals and storytelling that had left me satisfied, "MirrorMask" left me unsettled and I walked out of the theatre almost wanting me to drop my hat on the ground and stomp on it to help calm me down. The visual were too much and the story was too minimal. This film a had a lot of good things going for it to make it something refreshing, vibrant and compelling, instead we get something that's overblown, frustrating and pointless.

Mirror mask is a visually striking and awe inspiring movie. This masterpiece was directed by Dave McKean. Dave is a brilliant man and has worked as a director, writer, composer and even worked as a concept artist in the third Harry Potter movie. There are four star actors who play multiple roles. The main actress is Stephanie Leonidas, and she is partnered with Jason Barry. The two other lead cast members are Rob Brydon and Gina McKee.This film portrays a young girl trapped in a life as a circus performer in her parent's circus and all she wants is a real life. While in another world another girl who in a princess in the kingdom of night wants to escape her life and doesn't care who she hurts in doing so. The main character soon finds herself in the other world being stalked by darkness. She is even more confused when she is treated as a criminal and a thief by the kingdom of light. As the story progresses she finds out she was forced to switch places with the princess of the kingdom of night. So she begins her journey to find a missing key between worlds before all hope is lost.Most key actors played multiple roles which showed their ability to be different people. Stephanie Leonidas plays Helena, the main character and the princess of the dark Kingdome. The two characters are polar opposites; Helena is thoughtful, naive but also brave, and curious. On the other hand the princess is selfish rude and an all-around awful person. Then another impressive character is Gina McKee who plays Helena's mom, the queen of light and the queen of darkness. She is so different in each role is hard to tell it's all the same woman and at the same time she makes each character pop off the screen.There was an artistic cross between C.G.I. and real world that was simply stunning. The effects really impacted the viewer in a way that you almost believe what is happening. Almost all the cast wears masks which were the theme of the movie and over 70 masks were used on set. The masks added to the characters while also blending them to the computer generated images. Everything in the movie appears to be seen through a filter like looking into a secret world.All in all this movie is a must see for anyone. It has an artistic feel that suits the story. Mirror mask has action, adventure, romance and comedy all in one unique story that is unlike anything else. This is a true cinematic masterpiece and should be seen by all people of all ages.

Because I'm such a devout fan of Farscape - I was anticipating this movie coming out. After watching it at least 4 or 5 times - I realized it had grown on me. I just adore the characters, the artwork is so appealing to me, unique in a special way. The story reminds me a little of Stephen Kings' "The Talisman" - (Just a little). I even sent away for a poster for the movie which I've never done before. Here it is 6 years later and it's still probably one of my top 20 favorite movies. But granted - it's not for everyone! Of all my friends and family that have seen it - I'm the only one that liked it. I believe they were bored by it or just unimpressed. Not me! Wish I had the CD - I'd watch it again right now! I think it's brilliant and entertaining!

This has to be one of the greatest fantasy flicks that I've ever saw. It is so imaginative and funny to watch. Nothing about it is predictable or clichéd, actually, this is one of the most unpredictable and most original movies ever made.Most fantasy movies are filled with clichés and stereotypes (Even the best ones) but this is one is absolutely original and incredibly creative. The visuals are quite impressive...Even when the special effects aren't so great as the great visuals from "Avatar" from James Cameron, it is still quite beautiful and nice to look at. The performances and the music were pretty good, much better than the ones that you see in those kind of films...The script is witty and clever, and unlike most of the films made for kids, this is actually funny and well written, good for the whole family.If you are looking for a good fantasy film, without clichés, then "MirrorMask" is your film.