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BEYOND THE MASK

There is a common analogy with bad, big-screen melodramas as being " more expensive lifetime movies." Well, Beyond the Mask is like a more expensive Hallmark movie with even the look bearing an uncanny resemblance to When Calls the Heart. You might ask, "Are all Lifetime and Hallmark movies bad?" No. Because they're geared towards a certain audience, so their construction is built for that audience. Believe me when I say, I took the audience into consideration when watching Beyond the Mask. I even watched the film with a member of that target audience who said the film was just "ok." I wasn't as kind.

The movie is about a man who seeks personal and relational redemption against the backdrop of the American Revolution. "Why the American Revolution?," you may ask. Well, I don't know exactly. I suppose the plot conventions that give way to the character could only be done during that time period and, making it during an essential event in history, is supposed to up the appeal. But, in the end, all we get is a mixture of Batman, 1776 (without the songs) and any 90s action movie. Yes, it's as bad as it sounds.

The message itself is noble and actually good. Redemption cannot be acquired, for God has already given it. Yet the execution of the idea is sporadic and unnecessary. The movie is terribly misleading. It starts out as a war film, a battle of the Brits against the Americans, with a love story sub-plot. Ok, no problem. The religious theme could still be implemented with subtly or fitting melodrama and it would be a good movie. But, somewhere around the middle of the second act, the movie decides to turn itself into a superhero/action film with the protagonist dressing in a mask and fighting off crime in the nighttime and helping a small shop in the day. It is out of place symbolism ("hiding" behind a mask literally and physically).

Then there is the cliché action sequence, in which the film rudely shifts tone completely. It turns into an action movie. With the whole protagonist vs. antagonist's henchmen (who of course loses), which is followed by the protagonist vs. antagonist battle and, of course, the villain loses. Then, within a matter of seconds the protagonist and his love interest must escape the area they just saved which will self-destruct within a matter of seconds. Oh, did I mention they had to do all of this in about five minutes? The only elements missing are Nicolas Cage and Simon West.

The tonal shift is detrimental to the viewer because it is confusing. It may even be a little offensive because it is misleading. But it is only one of the many inconsistencies and offenses.

The acting though, is actually pretty good for the most part. The issue with the whole film though is, despite their great EFFORTS, you can still see the low-budget production values - from the CGI to the casting. Alan Madlane looks nothing like Benjamin Franklin, not even the shape of his body is believable. The makeup and costuming could have been a little better.

I attribute this issue to the fact they wanted the setting to be the American Revolution. We start with preconceived notions and prior examples to base our expectations from. I couldn't help but prepare myself to see something similar to, or as good as, Tom Wilkinson in John Adams, or at least Howard da Silva.

I'll use this analogy: the movie is like a teenager with no money who really wants to look good at prom. No matter how well they try to apply the makeup and outfit and attitude to try and compete with the more affluent students, their lack of resources still shows.

Therefore, I give this movie 1 1/2 out of 5 stars. If one wishes to see this film, I recommend it to ages 13 to 18.

Reviewed by Willie J, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16.

Beyond the Mask is a very action- packed adventure set around historical events that led up to the American Revolution.

The opening scene finds the character Will Reynolds carrying out mercenary deeds for his employer, head of the British East India Company. After delivering papers that proved to be detrimental to the newly formed American Colonies, Will is double-crossed and finds himself on the run in the American colonies.

Will is rescued by Charlotte and becomes a woman with whom he falls in love. Because he is now wearing a new mask as part of his plan to thwart his former employer, he is not truthful to his love, Charlotte. Will wants to win back trust of Charlotte and Benjamin Franklin.

I enjoyed watching the movie. It is fast moving, has very good historical points, some of which I was familiar. I grew up in Philadelphia and learned about Benjamin Franklin and the men who participated in the First Continental Congress.

One important element that is included in the film is the element of faith. One of Will's masks is that of a Vicar. He really has no real experience as a religious person and not sure of God.

The scenes look very authentic. The buildings look like Philadelphia during 1775 and 1776. The conflict interactions look real and you can feel the danger and the pain.

The actors Andrew Cheney, as Will and Kara Killmer, as Charlotte and John Rhys-Davies, Will's former employer and Charlotte's uncle portray their characters with real authenticity The ending demonstrates how important it is to have faith, love and believe.

I recommend this film for ages 12 to 18. The film meets the baseline KIDS FIRST! criteria and I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.

Reviewed by Juanita S., KIDS FIRST! juror.

The chief mercenary for the British East India Company, being double crossed by his former employer, has made his way to the American Colonies. Working to redeem his name, William Reynolds (Andrew Cheney) now hides behind a different mask in hopes of thwarting his former employer. As his past life closes in on him, Will must somehow gain the trust and the help of his beloved Charlotte, a woman he has been lying to, as well as a colonial intellectual by the name of Ben Franklin. All the while he races against time to defuse a plot that could have devastating effect on the birth of a new nation.