The film begins with some divers in the water by Edge City. While underwater, they spot a mask that was there for an unknown reason.

The scene switches to a man named Stanley Ipkiss. He is late for work. His boss even gives him a hard time. Only his coworker, Charlie Schumaker, understands him.

Then this beautiful young woman, Tina Carlyle, comes into the bank Stanley works for. Stanley develops feelings for her.

Later, Stanley is driving home—except that his car breaks down. He also thinks that he sees somebody drowning in the water near the bridge. He dives down to save the person… except that it’s fake. He also spots a mask and chooses to take it.

Once at his apartment, he gets into a little fight with the manager. Then he goes into his room and watches TV. An author named Dr. Arthur Neuman talks about a book he wrote and how everyone wears a mask. But it’s actually figurative speech—not literal.

However, Stanley misunderstands him and puts the mask he found on his face. Before he knows it, the mask magically attaches to his whole head (even removing his hair) and turns him into a wild fun guy. He gets out of control with his fun. He even goes outside and tries to spread his entertainment. But that leads to some guys turning against him.

The next morning, Stanley wakes up and sees the mask on his dresser. He assumes that the crazy events from last night were just from a dream.

However, there is investigation happening around the mysterious masked guy. Stanley also wants to attend Tina’s performance at a local nightclub. He even has a dream about going there—only for his dog, Milo, to wake him up.

Stanley decides to put the mask back on. Once again, he transforms into the same fun man as before. He raids the bank to get the money for Tina’s performance, goes to the club she’s at, and performs. He even dances with Tina, who develops interest in him, but not knowing who he is.

The next day, Stanley begins to question his “dreams.” When he gets to work, he finds out that the surveillance cameras caught a masked man robbing the bank. He claims that he has no idea who that is.

But someone found a cloth on the ground, which has the same print as Stanley’s pajamas. Stanley lies and says that somebody stole his PJs.

Sometime later, he meets Dr. Neuman and talks to him about the mask. He puts it on—yet nothing happens. So, he assumes that the effects only happen at night.

Dr. Neuman reveals that the mask-wearing is figurative and not literal. Stanley also asks if he should date Tina as himself only or as the man in the mask. Dr. Neuman suggests that he does both.

That night, Stanley meets Tina at a park. But he puts on his mask and goes insane. Some law enforcement try to arrest him. But he puts on a Cuban dance and singing performance.

Shortly after, Stanley is taken to see this woman Peggy, who seemed nice before. But she betrays him and elects to take a fifty-thousand-dollar bounty.

Even worse, the mask gets into the wrong hands. A man trying to hurt Stanley puts it on and turns into a powerful villain. Chaos begins to erupt.

Not long after, Stanley is even arrested. He feels that all hope is lost, especially since trouble is worsening outside the police station that he is locked up in.

What will happen next?

The first half of this movie kept my attention. I admired Stanley as a character, including his romantic relationship with Tina. He also has a sweet relationship with his dog, Milo. Milo would do a lot to help and protect him.

The concept of the story was also creative. It was a little bit like a tale about someone being possessed by something else. But unlike certain movies, where the characters’ bodies get taken over by scary beings, this one turns the main character into something entertaining and wild.

A lot of wacky things occur during the film. Stanley could even get tiring while as a masked fun guy.

But what I do admire is that the mask doesn’t turn everybody into a crazy entertainer. It actually brings their biggest desires to life. That is why when a bad guy put it on, he transformed into a supernatural villain.

The pacing was quick for the most part. Scenes also switched pretty quickly. But they were not rushed. The right amount of details necessary for each moment was given.

Unfortunately, the second half became a little boring, despite how tension levels were rising. I don’t know why that happened. But it changed my feelings about the film.

On the bright side, the last several minutes do become engaging again. Don’t worry—I won’t spoil the ending.

Twists and turns do occur, as usual. See the movie to find out what they are.

Overall, I thought The Mask was decent. If the second half hadn’t bored me, I would have enjoyed the whole film.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.