Behind The Mask The Rise Of Leslie Vernon Blu-ray Review

Behind the Mask the Rise of Leslie Vernon is without question one of the smartest Horror Films to come out in the last 20 years. With that statement it's safe to say that this is going to be a good review for the film in question. Part Black Comedy, part Documentary, part horror film, Behind the Mask is a film that should be seen by all fans of cinema.

Set in a world where famous movie killers like Freddy, and Jason are real, we are introduced to a film crew lead by Taylor Gentry. Herself, and her camera crew have been hired by a young man named Leslie Vernon who is training to be a killer. His made up backstory is that he was a boy who killed his family and was cast into a river by angry townsfolk. Having never found his body he has returned to take revenge against the town.

He trains heavily in cardio as he needs to walk after teenagers who are running and still be able to catch them. He has an old house he keeps abandoned as that was his (fake) childhood home. He even has a buddy who used to be a famous killer (it's never stated who) that teaches him to appear dead for long periods of time.

Leslie has even taken the time to select his main victim, a girl who is a virgin. As virgins usually make it to the end of a horror film she would be pure enough to challenge him as the final survivor. Taylor and be camera crew are having a great time untill the final night when Leslie finally goes on his killing rampage and they learn they play parts in his plan as well.

Funny and smart at the same time Behind the Mask is a fantastic take on the Horror genre. Watching an average guy learn the tricks of the trade to become a Michael Myers or Jason type killer is a clever idea to say the least. The entire cast plays their parts to perfection. Horror icon Robert England even shows up as a Doctor trying to stop Leslie ala Donald Pleasence in Halloween.

The film had a very limited theatrical release and then a standard DVD release from Anchor Bay but now this underappreciated cult classic is getting the Blu-ray treatment from the good folks over at Scream Factory.

To say the transfer is amazing is an understatement. It's one of there best transfers to date. Evey aspect of the footage looks amazing. From the documentary scenes to the standard horror parts everything looks and sounds fantastic. And as it's from Scream Factory it's loaded with special features

NEW HD Master From The 2K Intermediate

NEW Joys And Curses – Interviews With Actors Angela Goethals, Ben Pace, And Co-writer/Co-producer David Stieve

NEW Before The Mask: The Comic Book – An Interview With Comic Book Artist Nathan Thomas Milliner

Audio Commentary With Co-writer/Director Scott Glosserman, Moderated By Filmmakers Adam Green And Joe Lynch

Audio Commentary With Nathan Baesel, Angela Goethals, Britain Spelling, And Ben Pace

The Making Of Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon Featurette

The Casting Of Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon Featurette

Deleted And Extended Scenes

Theatrical Trailer

This release is top notch and hopefully it will finally help give the film the recognition it deserves and we can finally get the much deserved sequel
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Overall 4 out of 5 Stars