Young Helena yearns for a "real" life outside of the family business - a circus. Her parents want her to take over some day. This clash causes many fights and many words are said that will soon be regretted when Helena finds herself in a frightening situation. Physically and mentally exhausted, Helena finally goes to sleep and falls into a life-changing dream. Or was it just a dream?

I can only describe this film as Terry Gilliam meets Cirque Du Soleil. Not quite as good as Gilliam, but pretty damn good. The plot isn't all that original but the visuals are great and really help to give the story line a true dream feel. The world that is created is captivating and the characters are well developed. If you're a fan of fantasy adventures then be sure to watch this movie.

Mirror Mask! Glad to see that someone else has seen this movie.

I was in the mood for a movie but did not have one in mind when I went to the video store the other day. I was browsing the shelves and none of the titles did anything for me. It seemed I was either going to leave without a movie or rent something I wasn't really interested in, hoping it wouldn't be bad. Then I saw Mirror Mask and the names Neil Gaiman (writer) and Dave McKean (director) on the cover and problem solved, though I had no idea about the movie.

Mirror Mask is indeed a different movie. Though the plot is not much different than many made for TV movies - young girl (Helena) is unhappy with her life, has a fight with her mother, mother gets very sick, girl feels terrible about the fight, has a dream with many strange adventures, mother gets well, the girl comes to terms with her life and meets a cute guy, and they all live happily ever after. There is a fairy tale aspect to the story. Happily there are none of the cloying tropes associated with made-for-television movies about teenagers. Also, the family owns a circus and Helena is an artist (who draws in a style much like Dave McKean!) so the flavor of the movie is very different from the start. The young actress is very good in the role, as are all the other actors, and the dream sequence is visually fantastic (very Dave McKean) with a nice dose of humor. But it is not Lord of the Rings or Narnia or even Harry Potter and doesn't try to be. I also liked the movie and wonder what Neil and Dave would do if given a proper budget.

I also liked the movie and wonder what Neil and Dave would do if given a proper budget.

Here's hoping that get a chance with some sort of Sandman adaptation; Seasons of the Mist or A Game of You would do nicely. However, given the current fantasy rage, the more traditional fantasy Stardust probably has a better chance at being green lighted than a Sandman tale.

The lack of budget didn't bother me at all when watching the BBC series Neverwhere, I thought it splendid.

Here's hoping that get a chance with some sort of Sandman adaptation; Seasons of the Mist or A Game of You would do nicely. However, given the current fantasy rage, the more traditional fantasy Stardust probably has a better chance at being green lighted than a Sandman tale.

The lack of budget didn't bother me at all when watching the BBC series Neverwhere, I thought it splendid.

A Sandman movie would be something to look forward to!

I didn't think the low budget detracted from my enjoyment of the film. It was mentioned in the commentary by Dave and Neil (short time frame to film, limited cast, and scenes they would have liked to have done differently) and I thought that if they could do a good job with those restrictions then imagine if they had a proper budget. Anyway... Hey Scott, is the Neverwhere BBC series available on DVD? I seem to recall the series was done before the book was released in the U.S. so that would be about ten years ago. I will look for it.

Neverwhere is indeed available on DVD.

Neil also has a short movie out called "A Short Film About John Bolton." It's lovely.

Neverwhere is indeed available on DVD.

Neil also has a short movie out called "A Short Film About John Bolton." It's lovely.

Thanks! (this must be 10 chracters in length)

Young Helena yearns for a "real" life outside of the family business - a circus. Her parents want her to take over some day. This clash causes many fights and many words are said that will soon be regretted when Helena finds herself in a frightening situation. Physically and mentally exhausted, Helena finally goes to sleep and falls into a life-changing dream. Or was it just a dream?

I can only describe this film as Terry Gilliam meets Cirque Du Soleil. Not quite as good as Gilliam, but pretty damn good. The plot isn't all that original but the visuals are great and really help to give the story line a true dream feel. The world that is created is captivating and the characters are well developed. If you're a fan of fantasy adventures then be sure to watch this movie.

Finally got around to watching this and I give it a thumbs up for anyone looking for an offbeat fantasy. I love the way Gaiman can breathe new life into an ages old tale, but the real star are McKean's visuals; he creates a wholly original world.

Finally I saw it. Fantastic and very beautiful! The story reminded me of King's Talisman. I thought if Terry Gillium made Talisman, it would be like this.

Neil Gaiman is fantasy novels writer? I've never read Neil Gaiman's books. I can't understand why his books don't publish in Japan....