JHollis — 9 years ago(August 02, 2016 08:00 AM)

The Mask works as a satire of the classic Superheros journey.

1. Nice but undervalued guy gains powers, explores them, and has some fun.
2. He embarks on a quest.
3. His powers go to his head and he loses his way.
4. He suffers a setback.
5. He triumphs in the end because his inner decency gives him strength that he didnt know he had.
   However if we look at these points with regard to Stanley Ipkiss, its clear that The Mask is a very different kind of Superheros journey:
6. Nice but undervalued guy gains powers, explores them, and has some fun.
   His fun includes criminal damage, assault, battery and shooting at a gang will a machine gun.
7. He embarks on a quest.
   His quest is to woo, win and make love to a gorgeous woman.
8. His powers go to his head and he loses his way.
   On meeting up with Tina again he comes on a bit strong to the extent that she knees him in the groin and tries to run away from him. He then slaps two police officers repeatedly.
9. He suffers a setback.
   He loses the Mask.
10. He triumphs in the end because his inner decency gives him strength that he didnt know he had.
    Plus his dog gained superpowers and used them to best some goons.
    StanleyMask pays lip service to the fact that With these powers I could bea superhero. I could fight crime, protect the innocent, work for world peace. However there is a sting in the tail: But first. Because he has other priorities.