Customer Reviews

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

With every horror film I've watched recently, I've had my reservations. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but my partner warned my that it wouldn't be like anything we'd watched together thus far. I laughed through the whole thing. The documentary feel to the beginning of the movie REALLY worked for me. Our killer has a sense of humor, a personality, and seems like such a sweet guy. When he jumped out of the closet to commit the murders, my jaw just kinda hit the floor. I guess I knew he'd go through with his plans but it was still kinda shocking... I LOVED IT!
The music was well done, it was just spooky enough at the end. The juxtaposition of the two moods were perfect. It wasn't a gradual change which made it even more noticable.
Basically, I thought it was well done. Great characters, great mood, great everything on this one. I definately recommend this one with a solid two thumbs up. :-)

One evening I decided to pick out a Horror title at the store. The criteria was to pick something that I have never heard of. I picked up Behind the Mask. This resulted in finding one of my favorite movies of all time!

The movie starts as a Documentary about the next "Supernatural Serial Killer." They mention Jason, Freddy, and Michael Myers. Now...Leslie Vernon. This movie is truly made for the fans. They cover every cliche in the Slasher sub-genre. Leslie Vernon is so funny and charming. The documentary crew follows him as he sets up his own legend. They interview him about all of the tricks of the trade. It is wonderful dialogue and acting. You learn about how a supernatural serial killer makes it look like he is walking but somehow keeps up with his victims. They even talk about all of the symbolism that occurs as the lead girl becomes the heroin. Absolutely brilliant!

The movie actually changes tone drastically at a certain point. I will not spoil it for you though.

Like I said, the movie is for the fans. Someone accused this movie of being unoriginal and cliche. I must say "yes, it is." That is the point! They created a movie about the cliches in Slasher Films. Therefore it is original. Watch this movie and have fun! It is truly amazing if you watch it carefully, you find all sorts of throwbacks to Friday the 13th, Halloween, and Nightmare on Elm St.

This is one of those movies I wound up watching just to try to see what all the fuss was about. I was incredibly happy that I did. "Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon" is an incredibly inventive mockumentary/slasher flick. Most of the film is from the point of view of a group of a grad student named Taylor Gentry who is filming a documentary about Leslie Vernon, an up-and-coming slasher hoping to make his name along with the greats like Krueger, Voorhees and Myers. Leslie is far from your typical slasher, though -- he's clever, funny, charming and extremely pleasant. It's not until he puts on the mask that his slasher persona takes over.

In the "film within a film", Leslie details for Taylor exactly how he goes about constructing his "legend," choosing victims and even stages his murders in meticulous detail, all the while keeping that good-natured charm. The movie is funny and disturbing at the same time: funny because of how carefully the filmmakers parody the conventions of the slasher genre and disturbing because of how genuinely likable Leslie is even as he's explaining how he's going to slaughter innocent teenagers.

The few weak points come towards the end, after the film within a film is dropped and we go into the real slasher parts. While the writing is still just as smart and clever, some of the effects are a little weak. Still, this is a lot of fun and well worth it for fans of slasher movies looking for the next Freddy or Jason.

I saw this back in January of 2007 or perhaps it was last fall in '06, and the director attended the screening and answered questions afterwards. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, it was very well done in a self aware, wink to the audience, breaking the fourth wall kind of way. Very funny for the first half or two thirds of the movie as a film crew follows "Leslie Vernon" around, documenting why and how a serial killer/slasher does what he does. There were so many in-jokes for fans of the genre, you won't be disappointed, it's very funny.
Around two thirds of the way thru the film, the director switches gears and actually turns the movie from mockumentary into straight forward slasher flick, no more shaky camera work or wise-cracking. As the killer has set things up for the viewer in the documentary portion, you figure you know what's going to happen once the killing begins, but not so! There are still plenty of surprises left in store!
Nathan Baesel as the title character is the perfect mix of humorous, spastic, and creepy as a wanna-be killer who idolizes the likes of Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and Michael Myers (who incidentally are all real live killers and not fictional creations in the context of this movie). Baesel reminds me a bit of Jim Carrey. My friend who attended the movie with me and who dislikes Carrey disagreed on the similarity but still found Baesel's performance enjoyable as well.
The movie has a different approach to it than other satires or homages to the slasher flick in that the movie worked better separating the serious portion of the film from the humorous element, in order to maximize both (or at least the humorous element). At least, I thought so. I'm not sure what this film would have turned out like had it been set up to mix the mockumentary portion with the "live" killing scenes - I think the humor would have needed to take a back seat to the action and overall the movie would have been less enjoyable?
Bottom line, if you liked Scream for its mix of humor and horror, you'll like Behind the Mask, too. Just be prepared that you won't get humor and horror at the same time but rather one after the other. I will be buying this one on DVD (and I don't generally buy a lot of movies).

I am very disappointed that the Blu-ray release of BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON has NO extras; not even a pop up menu! I rate the movie 4 stars and recommend the standard DVD with its Audio Commentary, making of and casting of featurettes, and Deleted/Extended scenes.

"Behind The Mask(The Rise Of Leslie Vernon)" is by far one of the most creative horror/comedies ever thought up. Even better...it was executed beautifully! Producer/Director and co-writer Scott Glosserman has delivered a wickedly clever treat for us true horror fans. To the naked eye maybe not, but any self-respecting horror fan can clearly see that there are more layers to this flick than there are on an onion. The hints,suprises and inside jokes are a plenty throughout and the idea of starting from behind the mask when getting to know a future horror icon is nothing short of brilliant! The scares and laughs are perfectly balanced and the acting is quite good from most if not all parties especially Nathan Baesel as(Leslie Vernon) this guy down-right steals the show from the start. The end of the end is excellent and just leaves me wanting more from this psycho killer behind the mask(in a great way).

Let me start by saying that they gave us horror fans a very good original story. This film offers a original plot with good acting. It follows a documentary group who follow a first time serial killer on his way to making a name for himself. He shows the ins and out of how he stalks his prey and how he prepares to take them out one by one. Its comical at times because of the laid back attitude that Leslie takes. They combine both a horror movie with a documentary which works out quite well for the audience. It has everything you would want in a film. A good plot with twists and some gore, not a lot but this film makes up for it with a good story. I was glad I purchased this one. You should at least check this one out because it is well worth it.

Spinal Tap for the slasher movie genre....this gem starts off as a pseudo documentary of the emergence of the next big name in mass murder, and then gradually metamorphoses into that which it parodies. If you have ever wondered about the motivation, physical conditioning, and careful planning necessary to become the next big infamous, mass-murdering psychopath, then Leslie Vernon is only too anxious to provide insights into this misunderstood profession. Through hilariously clever, beautifully written and presented tongue-in-cheek dialog, we are steadily guided through the exhaustive training and planning necessary to rise to a lofty position in the slasher hall of fame. Indeed, I fear that much of the clever and sophisticated humor will go unappreciated by viewers who are simply looking for another trite slasher flick. This gem is a profound surprise, combining piercing wit with spot-on insights into the conventions of all slasher movies....the doors that slam behind the innocent victim, the "somebody is watching me" feeling, the absolute invulnerability of the slasher, etc. etc.

Please listen closely to the complex dialog and enjoy this movie for what it is.....an incredibly clever parody that makes Scary Movie and other humorous homages to the slasher genre seem juvenile by comparison.

Part mockumentary, part straight-out horror film, "Behind the Mask" tells the story of Leslie Vernon (Nathan Baesel), America's next big serial killer who is eager to follow in the footsteps of his heroes Freddy, Jason and Michael.

"Behind the Mask" takes the central premise of "Scream", that is, a tongue-in-cheek, self-aware horror film populated by characters who have seen too many horror movies and know all of the "rules", and takes this premise one step further. The characters in "Behind the Mask" are not only aware of the events of other horror movies (in the world of "Behind the Mask", the events of these movies are treated as real), but Vernon even explains how much hard work is required for a horror villain to make all of the seemingly supernatural cliches of other horror films a reality. Ever wondered how psycho-killers can manage to keep up with those screaming teenagers, even though they seem to be walking while the teens are running? This film explains that and more.

"Behind the Mask" is a low-budget, independent film starring few actors whom you have ever heard of (Robert Englund's appearance is little more than a cameo), but in spite of this, manages to put many high-budget studio horror films to shame. The script by first time writer/director Scott Glosserman is creative and funny, and even works well as a horror film, when the shift comes towards the end of the film. Lead actor Baesel is also excellent. This is the sort of film that's success depends entirely on the lead making his character both believable and charismatic. Although Baesel's prior credits comprise simply a few television appearances, he proves himself to be just as effective a horror villain as many of the horror greats who have gone before him.

Being a long-time horror fan myself, I am not sure how someone unfamiliar with the various horror conventions would respond to this film. Then again, how many non-horror fans would be considering watching this movie in the first place? For horror fans, however, particularly fans of "Scream", this is a great film, packed with in jokes, that is certain to become a cult favourite.

this film was great it all documentary style where this on man who idolizes horror movie killers is trying to be one himself and has a crew along the ride to film his work.for us horror movie fans its great as he skewers every single horror movie cliche and then turns horror films on its ear till the end of the film in which the last 25 mins become a classic horror movie itself using the very cliches he said to beware of . absolute fun and a must for ever horror movie fan. absolutely fantastic for horror movie lovers and may not be appreciated by those out of the circle