Mirrormask [DVD] [2006]

Visually inventive, stylish and darkly surreal, this fantasy film is a movie I admire rather than like particularly; it has a great musical score all the way through and quite a classy cast both on-screen and voicing some of the animated characters, but it is pretty weird in places with a very European feel to the concepts – a good thing, given the dominance of American styles in the genre – but perhaps a little creepy for younger children.It's a good first effort for Dave McKean as director and although I have reservations, the visuals are really impressive.The standard UK DVD release has some 52 minutes of extras and they and the film have English subtitles available if required.

Full on Gaiman/McKean experience. The music is beautiful too.

Yes, the plot isn't the collercoaster I hoped for - but actually is in the mould of Alice in Wonderland - one bizarre set-piece after another, each with its own charms and details - until towards the end.But it is visually astonishing. Mostly beautiful, but deep and macabre too. It feels richer than anything else I've seen from Dave McKean, with more details, delights and subtle references every time you watch it. The Henson Company commissioned it to follow Labarynth and Dark Crystal, neither of which was a instant commercial success, but earned long term cult status. And I am sure it will . . . it does things no other film has ever done.Its 'outer' story is real-world and humane with a fantastic central character - this might dilute the 'pure' fantasy for some, but for me it gave the fantastc adventure significance and purpose. The nearest parallel might be Wizard of Oz, with the story's world reflecting Dorothy's real life. It is also very English - with great jokes and visual charm, and fantastic music by Ian Ballemy - one of the UK's formost voices in new jazz.In the long term, people will watch it over and over because of the things it gets so right. This is actually a film which is different to any other and there are very few of those.

I admire Neil Gaiman and his work but was sadly disappointed by this. That's not to say that others might not love it but I watched it years ago and remembered that, if nothing else, the sound quality was poor. Hoping that may have been an issue with the DVD at the time, I streamed it recently to give it another chance. Unfortunately I found the same issue with sound, and whilst I loved the creative look of the film and always enjoy something that doesn't fit the 'expected norm' in terms of structure and story, I just didn't enjoy this as a whole. Yes there were parts that I loved, laughed at, or was in awe of the visual creativity, and it has a great cast too - Gina McKee, Rob Brydon, Stephen Fry, and not to forget the wonderful Dora Bryan, but it just didn't do it for me. I'd still recommend you watch it though - make up your own mind! You might find something in it that I didn't appreciate.

If a Terry Gilliam film and Tim Burton film had a baby this is probably what it would look like. A lot of people have heavily criticised the plot and the graphics. On the second point, the graphics style was chosen as these are supposed to drawings. OK, it looks cheap, but it's a stylistic choice they went with and stuck to. The plot is... not straightforward. Neil Gaiman writes complex stuff, considering his audience. It takes two or three viewings to figure out who is who and what's going on and that's no bad thing, I'm tired of movies that you know it after one sitting. This isn't for the very young, there are scenes which are more than Doctor Who hide behind the couch uncomfortable. The cast is dependable, I played spot the actor for some characters and there's a tongue in cheek feel to it all. Over all worth watching, but do it more than once if you want to follow it completely.

I first came across a book about the making of the film MirrorMask by Dave McKean called 'The Alchemy of MirrorMask'.I'm always on the look out for anything that inspires me to make digital art images.The book had amazing art, I was really only looking at the pictures !I bought the book and it was only when I read it I realised it was about the making of a film.The more I read about it and looked at the pictures I became intrigued by it.I looked on Amazon to see if they had it, and it was there for only £3.99, I just had to buy it ! Mirrormask [DVD] [2005 ]The film is absolutely brilliant, I don't know why I had not come across it before.If you like fantasy films that are very artistically made then I can highly recommend it.The DVD has extra films on it about how they made MirrorMask.I can also recommend the book. The Alchemy of "Mirrormask"

a brillant film for those who love a fairy tale with a dark side. it has a simple storyline wich is a definate positive in this film although it could be slightly better, the ending could have been more. it has an obvoious link with alice in wonderland and is thick with subtle comments on society and intercations of people. the cgi is refeshing as it used to create a dream world not an alternate reality with its mistic surealism. for those who are a fan of dave mckean as an artist this film is a must see essential. you can tell this is a film directed by an artist yet it is not a hardcore 'arty' film. there are brilliant performances from the actors and actresses who give real and belivable perfomances. overall a thourally enjoyable flm and i hope to see dave mckean directing more fims in the future!

Great film