Mirrormask [DVD] [2005]

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• This item: Mirrormask [DVD] [2005] DVD ~ Stephanie Leonidas

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• Neverwhere - The Complete BBC Series [1996] [DVD] DVD ~ Gary Bakewell

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• Coraline by Neil Gaiman

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Amazon.co.uk Review
This visually stunning film is the product of a collaboration of award-winning graphic novelist Neil Gaiman (creator of the much-lauded Sandman series), his frequent collaborator Dave McKean (Cages), and The Jim Henson Company, themselves no strangers to elaborate fantasies such as The Dark Crystal. and Labyrinth. As with the latter film, MirrorMask focuses on a young woman unhappy with her daily existence; here, the artistically inclined Helena (Stephanie Leonides), is at odds with her circus performer parents. When a careless insult appears to send her mother (Gina McKee) into a coma, Helena withdraws into the dark and elaborate world of her drawings, in which a scenario very similar to her predicament in the real world is unfolding. Gaiman and director McKean create arresting images to populate Helena's world, and the Henson Company brings them vividly to life with CGI; though the story is occasionally murky, the fantasy elements are imaginative enough to enthral what will undoubtedly be the film's toughest customers--younger viewers. --Paul Gaita

Synopsis
Reminiscent of ALICE IN WONDERLAND and LABYRINTH, MIRRORMASK is a fantasy tale of an intelligent young girl on a journey through a magical world. It is also a visually astounding piece of filmmaking, updating the fairytale quest in a coming-of-age story imbued with dark beauty. Written by acclaimed graphic novelist Neil Gaiman (SANDMAN) and directed by frequent collaborator and illustrator Dave McKean, the film mixes live action and animation to great effect, while managing to keep Gaiman's aesthetic largely intact. Stephanie Leonidas plays Helena, a young girl who juggles in her father's circus, but longs for a normal life. She spends her free time drawing elaborate, fantastical black-and-white pictures which cover every surface of her bedroom. One night, after an argument with her mother (Gina McKee)--during which Helena lets fly some rather painful pronouncements--Mum falls ill with an unspecified affliction. As the family waits for news and the circus struggles financially, Helena blames herself for the misfortune. The night before her mother's surgery, Helena is mysteriously transported to a world which bears a strong resemblance to her own drawings, and is populated by strange creatures who follow an even stranger logic. Helena and her travelling companion, fellow juggler Valentine (Jason Barry), sign on to find a mysterious charm which will wake the queen of the city (also played by McKee) from her deep sleep, defeating the forces of darkness and returning Helena home. The film's outstanding art direction is complemented by witty dialogue and some genuinely creepy moments (the words ‘don't let them see you're afraid’ are chill-inducing). Meanwhile, Leonidas's performance is remarkable, maintaining a likeability, charm, and freshness that is all the more amazing considering it was delivered against a green screen, with her special-effect co-stars edited in later.

Neverwhere - The Complete BBC Series [1996] [DVD] DVD ~ Gary Bakewell 4.2 out of 5 stars (15)  £5.98

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The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman 4.6 out of 5 stars (35)  £6.49

Mirrormask by Neil Gaiman 1.5 out of 5 stars (2)  £7.14

Stardust [DVD] [2007] DVD ~ Michelle Pfeiffer 4.4 out of 5 stars (145)  £3.97

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41 Reviews 5 star:  (15) 4 star:  (7) 3 star:  (4) 2 star:  (6) 1 star:  (9)           Average Customer Review 3.3 out of 5 stars (41 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   12 of 14 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars surreal, 16 Sep 2006 By  Ms. E. K. Groom (Waterlooville, Hants United Kingdom) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Quirky and innovative dialogue--I would not label this as a film for children--not that children wouldn't enjoy it--but this a film written for those with a love or quirk and surrealism. Q. T film fans will eat this up, the film starts out fairly labyrinth ish--but then switches to Being John Malkovich ish towards the end--best way to describe it really. The film is about young British girl Helena, a wonderful artist trapped at her family's off the wall circus that they run. She wants to 'run away to real life' which happens sooner then she expects as her mother is rushed to hospital and she is sent to stay with her nan in the grey streets of Brighton. However, againts her own will she is whisked to a strange surreal and dali-ish world where Spinx's stroll the streets looking for books, the queen of light lays sleeping in her temple and people wear masks to hdie their faces. When I first watched it--I was drawn in by the quirky dialogue--don't let the the films 'surreal' aspects put you off--your be wanting to watch it again--the more you watch it the more you find. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   11 of 14 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A thing of beauty, 5 Jun 2006 By  Ben Appleby - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Mirrormask, is, at a glance, nothing original in plot- teenage girl, family problems, disappears into fantasy world which reflects her own life; however, the script is quirky and likeable, the acting excellent, and the world itself a masterpiece of visual imagination and aesthetic delight. Bears a resemblance to Labyrinth (it was, after all, commission to cash in on that film's DVD success), but has far more invention, charm and intelligence. Also has some comparisons with Paperhouse and The Company of Wolves. However, visally inventive and superb as those were, this goes one better, even if without quite the same darkness and depth- and this can be attributed to the fact it is nominally a fantasy for children rather than a fantasy about children for adults, which the other two are. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   12 of 17 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars Just not good, 2 May 2007 By  L. Niblock "Does my reputation precede me, or... (Belfast) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    WIth so much talent attached to this film(gaiman, McKean, and the Henson workshop) you would imagine that it MUST be great, but it is very, very average at best. Only McKean's visuals lift the rating for this film from 2 stars to 3. The plot is very unoriginal, the characters are difficult to care about (and are often irritating, especially the attempt at a comedy sidekick) the jokes fall flat, the acting is hollow, and the third act comes and goes without the slightest hint of tension or excitement. This is dry, plain stuff depite the talent attached to it, and it is a real shame. It is all style and little substance. A lot of people will have been disappointed with this film, and will no doubt continue to be disappointed as others -like me- will find it difficult to believe the negative reviews when the potential for this film to be amazing seems so huge, and therefore will go ahead and buy it anyway. But if you are at all demanding of the films you watch, you WILL come away disappointed by this one. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 41 customer reviews...		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 1.0 out of 5 stars Complete rubbish Being an ardent fan of Labyrinth, which this film has been compared to- I was expecting a modern interpretation with something new and exciting put into the mix. Read more Published 3 months ago by L. Hanson 5.0 out of 5 stars Dreamlike, surreal, amazing, unique.... ...are probably the words that could best describe Mirrormask. It's an astonishing looking film, probably a little too bizarre for some people but if you like anything that's a... Read more Published 7 months ago by M. Evans 1.0 out of 5 stars Unwatchable Well, I managed about 30 minutes and then had to turn it off. A fairytale with no magic, visuals with no sense of wonder, murky and multi layered sfx, leadenly scripted and so... Read more Published 9 months ago by Ian Armer 2.0 out of 5 stars Arty and boring British film I don't mind arty films if there's decent writing too..but this film was just producation design and creative CGI. Read more Published 13 months ago by flingthecow 3.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing If Too Abstract Having watched Stardust and finding it okay, I found that one of my suitemates had left his copy of Mirrormask in the dormitory for spring break. Read more Published 15 months ago by B. Quincy 5.0 out of 5 stars a refreshing film 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... Read more Published 16 months ago by H. K. Stanley 1.0 out of 5 stars So bad I couldn't finish it. Considering the talent attached I really thought this would at least be interesting. however the reality is that it is even cheaper than neverwhere and without the character... Read more Published 16 months ago by genejoke 4.0 out of 5 stars Weird but I think I like it I have seen a few CGI films such as Spirits Within and Advent Children before, which I assumed this would be simalar to. Read more Published 18 months ago by R-B 1.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the worst and most disappointing film i've ever seen My friend picked this up because we're both big fans of Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal (and Jim Henson in general). Read more Published 19 months ago by J. Everett 4.0 out of 5 stars A Universal story Before I saw `Mirrormask' for myself, the glowing reviews here on Amazon surprised me a little. Despite being penned by fantasy author Neil Gaiman in collaboration with The Jim... Read more Published 20 months ago by J Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews › See all 41 customer reviews...

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