I’ve just come from seeing the film and I’m here to tell you, it’s worth the price of admission and then some. The look of the film is the first thing that takes you: it’s pure McKean, gorgeous and lush and surreal and vivid as a dream, perfectly capturing the feel of the Sandman.
Then you notice the writing. It’s a rare film that successfully translates the ineffable oomph of a prose writer’s style to the big screen. Gaiman’s work is quirky, understated, funny and smart. In Mirrormask, it translates brilliantly to the screen. The dialog crackles. It’s laugh-out-loud funny. It’s spooky. It’s weird and perfectly complimentary to McKean’s illustration style.
This is a collaboration between three incredibly talented fantasists, two of whom have done so much work together that they clearly are in nigh-psychic communication with one another. I want to see this one again, and again. I haven’t seen a film as lovely as this since Brazil. I haven’t seen a film as enchanting since The Princess Bride.
The opening weekend grosses will determine the film’s long-term success. You’ve got one more day to see it when it counts — catch it tomorrow [meaning Sunday] and help spread it to a world that needs it.
Tag: movies mirrormask
Mirrormask
Mirrormask was quite excellent and visually stunning, so I’ve definitely got no regrets
about passing up seeing Serenity on opening night to see Dave & Neil’s movie instead.
I’ll try to get an actual review posted over at Of Two Minds by the end of the weekend.
Plus, I figured Serenity already had more than enough Browncoats coming out to show
their support, while Mirrormask needed (and still needs) a strong opening weekend to
even get past its currently limited release. A big smack upside the head for the
executive at Sony who decided that opening Mirrormask opposite Joss’ baby was
a good idea. The audiences aren’t identical, but I’m sure there’s quite a bit of overlap.
If you’ve already done your Browncoat duty this weekend, and you’re a fan of Neil
Gaiman’s writing and/or Dave McKean’s art, and you’re lucky enough to live in or near
one of the cities where Mirrormask is currently playing, take the time to go see it.
You’ll be glad you did.
And yes, I do plan on seeing the full version of Serenity at some point too.