Common Sense Media features reviews from both parents and children, with each separately aggregated on a scale of one to five. For “The Mask,” the average CSM review score among both parents and children is four out of five. That being said, CSM itself rates the film lower. “‘The Mask’ is a perfect vehicle for [Jim Carrey’s] abilities to play both a lovable loser and a manic menace,” the outlet writes. “Industrial Light and Magic’s special effects are integral to the success of this film. Without them, audiences would have to pay attention to the plot, which is uneven, predictable, and not worth the price of admission alone.” CSM goes on to acknowledge that children will undoubtedly love “The Mask.”
Ironically, CSM’s score being lower than its user base is the reverse of what Rotten Tomatoes suggests for the wider population. In 2023, “The Mask” is certified fresh at 80% by critical reviews and enjoyed slightly less by audiences at 68%. The RT blurb summarizes “The Mask” by saying, “It misses perhaps as often as it hits, but Jim Carrey’s manic bombast, Cameron Diaz’s blowsy appeal, and the film’s overall cartoony bombast keep ‘The Mask’ afloat.”
Despite CSM and RT featuring flipped audience and critical reviews, their scores are similar enough to support each other. New Line Cinema’s “The Mask” is solid entertainment with middling risque content that promises a fun adventure without any lasting negative ramifications. “The Mask” is currently available to stream on Max.
