Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)

I felt compelled to write a review for this movie. I just have to say that this was such a fun movie to watch. It was so funny and the entire time it had me fully engaged and loving it. I recommend this movie to all. Watch it and have a good time.

The horror comedy is a very hard mix to get right. Too much horror and the risk you run is that it feels like a horror film with out of place comedic moments. Too much comedy and you end up with SCARY MOVIE or spoofs that aren't at any moment scary. Though the medium once seemed to be a novelty, the indie horror field is littered with them anymore. As a result, it stands out all the more when one does it right. This film is not just a horror comedy, though as it is also a cleverly made examination of the slasher genre, in the fashion of SCREAM or CABIN IN THE WOODS, it turns the lens around to put a spotlight on the common conventions of the genre and point them out, then use those same conventions to fantastic effect.The movie plays out mostly like a mock documentary. A film crew is following a man named Leslie Vernon, who has a typical backstory full of familial drama and tragedy. He wants to become the next Michael or Jason (who in this world were real people). He has invited this crew to follow him as he sets up his masterpiece, a performance of murderous mayhem. The crew follows him as he choose his "survivor girl", does the cardio work necessary to stalk his victims and sets up the murder scene with the right pieces in the right places to create the right beats. It's all done so well and clearly made by people who love the genre and understand it perfectly.We get some great cameos in the movie. Zelda Rubinstein (POLTERGEIST) plays the librarian who is essential as a victim that will touch the right strings and, also, provides our backstory in the right scary voice. Robert Englund plays a twist on Dr. Loomis, Leslie's "Ahab", the man intent to hunt him down. Scott Wilson (Hershel from TWD) is his mentor. This is another super clever part of this movie. They clearly play on Scott's role in IN COLD BLOOD and use that to comment on the style of killer used in 50s and 60s "psycho noir" horror compared to the modern slasher.The star of this movie, though, is Nathan Baesal as Leslie Vernon. He is truly spectacular and I can't believe he hasn't got more roles indie horror. He plays the comedic lines and gags so well that he seems like a seasoned comedian, but does it with enough straight lace that we never cross into SCARY MOVIE territory. He's likable enough that the viewer forgets we are watching a man plot people's murders and almost cheer him on. He's sincere enough that we believe why this is important to him.The best horror comedies work, though, because they don't forget the horror and this movie is no exception. The documentary style of the film, with a crew following Leslie's every move, carries through into the final act. Then, there is a switch in point of view. It's not unnatural or forced feeling. You understand why we change smoothly in the plot. From that moment, the movie switches into a tense, thrilling slasher film complete with a spooky, iconic movie villain of its' own. The final act is every bit as good, if not better, than your average 80s slasher film and it's what makes this movie work so well. Yes, some will remark that it's completely cliché at moments, but that is the exact point. Leslie has spent the entire movie setting the viewer up that these are the essentials of a slasher movie and carries them out with spot on accuracy.It's a comment on the slasher genre, done as a sincere love letter. It's an incredibly fun movie and I will preach its' greatness to anyone who will listen.

Greetings from Lithuania."Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon" (2006) is an interesting take on slasher genre itself. It knows all the rules of genre and it mocks it - and it was done intriguingly and funny. But then by the end unfortunately it became same generic slasher it was targeting all the way. Acting was OK by supporting cast and really good by lead. It is not bloody - it is different kind of slasher.Overall, unfortunately "Behind the Mask" could have been really great if they would stay on the same path during the whole movie. It is a nice film, but could have been so much better.

wasn't sure what this was going to be like going into this, but think it was a good take on a 'behind the scenes of teen slasher film killer.'in most slasher films the chances of things going exactly the way they do is very convenient for the killer, the victim being in the right place at the right time, making the wrong decisions that lead them directly to where the killer wants them to be although they had lots of other options. It's all looked at here in a funny way, and when the actual plan is in full swing near the end there's a good twist in the film that also comes with the kind of slasher films being dissected here, in the way that you saw it coming, but still enjoyed.