Chuck Russell – Cut To The Chase

Directed By: Andre Gower
Written By: Andre Gower & Henry Derron McComas
Cinematography & Editor: Henry Derron McComas

Featuring: Shane Black, Fred Dekker, Andre Gower, Ryan Lambert, Adam Green, Adam F. Goldberg, Seth Green, Chuck Russell, Joe Lynch, Diva Zappa. Zach Galligan, Kristina Klebe, Rebekah McKendry

This documentary explores the power of cult film told through the lens of The Monster Squad (1987) and the impact it has on fans, cast and crew, and the industry.

This is a documentary about the film THE MONSTER SQUAD. The title comes from one of the more memorable lines of the movie.

Though this documentary is about a little more than just that. It is about the film community in its own way. How a simple little film that actually bombed in theaters. Not only how to become a cult classic but how it affected the audience who discovered it. Whether when it was first released or later on cable, home video, DVD, or even just recently.

How a film can mean so much and hold so many memories that it becomes personal. Almost part of your DNA even though you weren’t involved. It feels distinct like it was part of your own childhood.

It not only follows the cast of the film. Finding out all the behind-the-scenes stories on the making of the film, but how it affected their careers and how the audience made the film not necessarily just be some job, but actually make it that much more special.

We catch up with the filmmakers and cast. The director of the documentary is also the star of THE MONSTER SQUAD. Andre Gower

We see and meet the fans of the film, go to the screenings, and get to know the audience. How they discovered the movie.

As THE MONSTER SQUAD is one of those movies that each generation seems to discover and pass it down to the next. It might be that the film’s audience is obviously kids and teenagers and it doesn’t talk down to them and for the most part, they are the protagonists. It’s a smart movie that wasn’t there to appeal to all or sell toys and products. It was an adventure with horror though still a rollicking fun movie. That unfortunately is rarely made these days.

This is also a film that seems to not be talked about except by more film nerds. Even though it could easily be just as talked about as THE GOONIES. Though this film is treated like their dark weird cousin.

This is a movie I once loved as a kid. I even saw it twice in theaters. Though watching it now I can see its appeal and fun ideas. This is why I once loved it and still respect it to a degree, but it doesn’t pack as much of a punch for me. As it once did. As it’s not as magical to me these days but still enjoyable.

This is a documentary that is best to go into knowing or at least having seen the film it’s based on. You won’t get lost if you haven’t but it won’t be as strong and might miss a lot of what is being talked about. Though it is worth a watch to see how a film can bring people together and mean so much to them. While just trying to be entertaining.

Luckily this is not the typical behind-the-scenes documentary just for the fans, but really a love letter and document to the film and its everlasting impact.

Grade: B-

Directed By: Chuck Russell
Written By: Mike Werb
Based on a Story by: Michael Fallon & Mark Verheiden
Cinematography By: John R. Leonetti
Editor: Arthur Coburn

Cast: Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz, Peter Greene, Amy Yasbeck, Richard Jeni, Joely Fisher, Peter Riegert

Stanley Ipkiss is a bank clerk that is an incredibly nice man. Unfortunately, he is too nice for his own good and is a pushover when it comes to confrontations. After one of the worst days of his life, he finds a mask that depicts Loki, the Norse night god of mischief. Now, when he puts it on, he becomes his inner, self: a cartoony romantic wild man. However, a small time crime boss, Dorian Tyrel, comes across this character dubbed “The Mask” by the media. After Ipkiss’s alter ego indirectly kills his friend in crime, Tyrel now wants this green-faced goon destroyed.I remember going to see this film in movie theaters.

Before this film I was never a big fan of Jim Carrey Really but this film made me a huge fan of his. Yet this film won me over and made me more aware of his comedic talents.

It set’s itself up early as it revolves around a fantasy world and not a real city. So it stays true to it’s graphic novel roots a little. Though where as the graphic novel is more dark and cynical this film is fun and like a live action cartoon with the mask character. There are deaths in the film that seem to be more about cartoons then violence. That is the beauty of the film where it is more of a kid’s film at heart for adults that kids will naturally want to watch and enjoy.

Jim Carrey at least plays a double-sided character instead of him just riffing with his more physical comedy. He plays the shy nice Staley Ipkiss with as fuch energy and fervor as he pays the mask. Who seems to be like all the looney toons characters all rolled up into one. That is the element that attracted him to the role in the first place. He adds his own touches like the banana yellow suit he wears is based on the one his mother made when he first started to perform stand-up. He laso says the way he played the character is based on his father.

The film is the acting debut of Cameron Diaz (Who was a last-minute replacement for Anna Nicole Smith) and she is the ultimate Femme Fatale as she has never looked as good as she looks here and never been as memorable. Once she comes onto the screen she has one of the most memorable entrances ever.

There is a backward plot that involves the mask going against the mob and stealing the mobster’s girlfriend and just when they set up a romantic rival for Cameron Diaz they dump her just as soon so that our hero can get the girl who led him astray in the first place only in the movies kids.

I wish This is a fun film that utilizes it’s special effects and they look good and natural not fake and too far out. The film is still relevant as it has aged well and is still fun to watch. It’s not quite the risky film that would be made today or even taken a chance of today I am glad it was made.

It’s just the type of off-kilter movie that initially you would think would be more of a cult type project but with the addition of Jim Carrey A mainstream star it became a worldwide hit. Followed by an inferior sequel almost a decade later that was even more lighthearted then this film was.

This film has a dark heart that is never given a chance to fully flow, it is more dressed up to make it more mainstream. It’s still a good film. A film where you wish you could have the masks and the power of it. Realizing that half the time how he overreacts to things and contorts is how you wish you could express yourself in similar situations.

Chuck Russell directed this film and for all the verve and inventiveness he brings to this film. He didn’t bring any to his projects after this film. He had one of note before this that I really enjoyed THE BLOB and NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET PART 3: DREAM WARRIORS

GRADE: B

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