Arrow Video, a renowned distributor of 90s hits, has announced its next release: the iconic film “The Mask” is getting a new 4K Blu-ray restoration. This limited edition is already available for preorder and is expected to include a range of exciting physical extras.
Released in 1994, “The Mask” was one of three blockbusters starring Jim Carrey that year, cementing his status as a rising star in Hollywood. It`s hard to imagine anyone else pulling off the role of the mild-mannered Stanley Ipkiss and his zany alter-ego as successfully as Carrey did. His comedic talent and incredibly flexible facial expressions were key to the film`s success. Directed by Chuck Russell, the movie was a risky but highly profitable venture for New Line Cinema, grossing $351 million at the box office. The film`s popularity led to an animated series adaptation, though a subsequent sequel is largely forgotten.
This new version of “The Mask” features a 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative by Arrow Video, personally approved by Chuck Russell. The 4K edition supports High Dynamic Range (Dolby Vision and HDR10), as well as enhanced audio: lossless stereo, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound, and a new Dolby Atmos mix.
Like other Arrow Video releases, the Limited Edition comes with a reversible sleeve and cover art: one side showcases the original theatrical poster with Carrey’s toothy grin, while the other features a simple but striking shot of the Mask preparing to P-A-R-T-Y. The package also includes an illustrated booklet with commentary from author Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and original production notes, a double-sided fold-out poster featuring two original artwork options, and six postcard-sized reproduction art cards.
The Mask Limited Edition Bonus Materials
New Features
- Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options.
- Illustrated collector’s booklet with new writing on the film by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and original production notes.
- Double-sided fold-out poster featuring two original artwork options.
- Six postcard-sized reproduction art cards.
- “The Man Behind the Mask,” a newly filmed interview with Chuck Russell.
- “From Strip to Screen,” a newly filmed interview with Mike Richardson, Mike Werb, and Mark Verheiden.
- “Green Faces Blue Screens,” a newly filmed interview with visual effects supervisor Scott Squires.
- “Sssssssplicin’!”, a newly filmed interview with editor Arthur Coburn.
- “Ask Peggy,” a newly filmed interview with actor Amy Yasbeck.
- “Toeing the Conga Line,” a newly filmed interview with choreographer Jerry Evans, featuring never-before-seen rehearsal footage.
- “Terriermania,” a new video essay by critic Elizabeth Purchell on canine sidekick Milo.
Additional Bonus Features
- Archive audio commentary with Chuck Russell.
- Archive audio commentary with Chuck Russell, New Line co-chairman Bob Shaye, screenwriter Mike Werb, executive producer Mike Richardson, producer Bob Engelman, ILM VFX supervisor Scott Squires, animation supervisor Tom Bertino, and cinematographer John R.
- Archival featurettes: “Return to Edge City,” “Introducing Cameron Diaz,” “Cartoon Logic,” “What Makes Fido Run,” “The Making Of,” on-set interview bites with the cast and director, and B-Roll footage.
- Deleted scenes, with optional commentary by director Chuck Russell.
- Theatrical trailer.
- Image gallery.
Discover the Original “The Mask” Comics
“The Mask” film is an adaptation of the comic book miniseries of the same name published by Dark Horse Comics. While the movie was lighthearted and played out like a live-action Looney Tunes cartoon when Jim Carrey donned the ancient artifact, the comics it was adapted from were significantly darker and featured much more overt and graphic violence. If Jim Carrey`s version of Stanley Ipkiss is a lovable loser with a heart of gold, the comic book version is far less amiable, and once he gets his hands on the mask, he quickly uses its power to brutally exact revenge on everyone who wronged him.
Some of these scenes made it into the movie, albeit toned down. For example, the mechanics who extort Ipkiss in the film are humiliated by his alter-ego, but in the comics, they meet a gruesome end at his hands. Other characters are gunned down in cold blood, and the book doesn`t have a happy ending for Ipkiss. If you wish to experience just how absurdly violent the original comic is, you can acquire The Mask Omnibus Edition. After the film became a blockbuster hit, more comics were produced by various creative teams, but nothing surpasses the original mini-series by John Arcudi and Doug Mahnke, as it is a grim tale about revenge and how absolute power corrupts absolutely.
New & Upcoming Arrow Video Limited Edition 4K Blu-rays
“The Mask” is just the tip of the iceberg for Arrow Video`s 4K Blu-ray releases. The company plans to release several other cult classics. Sci-fi fans can already pick up the newly released 4K Blu-ray restoration of “Lost in Space,” the 1997 live-action adaptation of “Spawn” is coming soon, and plenty of horror titles are also on the way. “Creepshow 2,” the 2003 remake of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” John Carpenter`s “In the Mouth of Madness,” and “Ringu” are all slated for release soon, offering genre fans a diverse selection of movies to collect ahead of Halloween.
All the films listed below are Limited Edition 4K Blu-rays and are organized by release date:
- Poseidon
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
- Ringu
- Lost in Space
- Creepshow 2 (Release Date: September 30)
- Spawn (Release Date: October 7)
- In the Mouth of Madness (Release Date: October 28)
- The Mask (Release Date: November 11)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy (4K) (Release Date: December 16)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy (1080p) (Release Date: December 16)