Mirrormask (2005)

Mirrormask: Directed by Dave McKean. With Stephanie Leonidas, Jason Barry, Rob Brydon, Gina McKee. In a fantasy world of opposing kingdoms, a fifteen-year-old girl must find the fabled MirrorMask in order to save the kingdom and get home.

“This is my first review, so pardon me for any clumsiness in its composition. As such I am nervously avoiding any discussion of the plot, lest I spoil anything.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis is a continuation of the tradition of fantastical films about the adolescent transition of young women. Other films in this vein are u0026quot;Alice in Wonderlandu0026quot;, u0026quot;Paperhouseu0026quot;,and u0026quot;Labrynth.u0026quot; The film was produced by Henson Studios, and is presented like their other features, but rather than puppets and elaborate sets, animation replaces those elements.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eVisually I found it stunning. I am familiar with McKeanu0026#39;s work, and I found this to be amongst his best. It was distinctly McKeanu0026#39;s style. The use of color was phenomenal, as well as surreal composition. I was enthralled seeing his creations in literal motion, rather than the usual implied motion. I personally thought there were a number of visual references to other great films, but Iu0026#39;ll leave that to your opinion. I thought the direction clearly demonstrated his grasp of composition.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe writing was true to Gaimanu0026#39;s tradition of off-beat fairy tales. The pacing was dreamlike, flowing between slow moments of beauty and exposition to frenetic moments of fierce action. Humor, dark and otherwise, punctuated the film. The dialogue was very strong.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI was also very fond of the use of sound. One scene is a frightening and beautiful music video, that can be lifted out of the film completely and carry itself. It fits better in the film, but doesnu0026#39;t need to.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film fits extremely well with all of the previous Henson Productions. I suggest having seen u0026quot;Dark Crystalu0026quot;, u0026quot;Labrynthu0026quot;, and u0026quot;Jim Hensonu0026#39;s The Storytelleru0026quot; before viewing this. The piece fits very well with these.”