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Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2007)
For the past year or maybe even longer I've been anticipating the release of "Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon". Hearing that this film was satirical approach like Wes Craven's "Scream" while incorporating the followed by camera crew tactic used in "Man Bites Dog" and "Last Horror Movie" seemed quite original. What struck me the most was the main character Leslie Vernon is a serial killer living in a world where Jason Vorhees, Freddy Kruger and Michael Myers are all real.
Not only is there a documentary looking footage following the daily happenings of Leslie Vernon (Nathan Baesel in hopefully a career making performance), there is also 20/20 style interviews conducted by a journalists named Taylor Gentry (Angela Goethals). Although the film is comedic in tone it is a plus that the cast mostly consist of unknowns so that makes the documentary portions of the film seem a little more authentic. This film isn't made to seem 100% real but I have to say that Director Scott Glosserman along with his co-writer David J. Stieve crafted one hell of an idea using many tools of the genre to poke fun at while respecting it's intended slasher audience. Also there was some commentary on society like the reality TV craze and making a dream world of sorts where serial killing is a business.
For example Leslie Vernon has a mentor with his older pal Eugene (Scott Wilson) who is a married man that is introduced while sleeping underground. This scene is a hilarious play on how serial killers learn to play dead. There are many other references that explain how Slasher style murderers improve their cardio and the traps they use too keep their advantage over their victims to be. Leslie Vernon takes time to gives a "how to be a serial killer" tour to the news crew by showing how to manipulate introductory scares and many other things. Eventually after being given advice by Eugene's seemingly normal wife Leslie decides to head to the library to kill the librarian (Cameo by Zelda Rubenstein of "Poltergeist"). This scene is very slick and displays how serial killers move swiftly and the lengths they go not only to physically attack their victims but to also psychologically frighten them. Watching this film you can make something out of every scene. The film always knows where it's going and everything is well thought out by the writer and director. During the library scene Robert Englund pops on screen as Doc Hollaran and shows up a few more times. He doesn't get much to do but Leslie Vernon makes some interesting comments about being his "Ahab". You'll have to watch this movie to see how cool the scene is and the excitement between the characters once Leslie Vernon mentions how awesome it is that he now has a nemesis.
The film plays it straight when mention the likes of legendary slasher icons as Fred, Chuck and Jay. There is once scene that even takes a little dig at CGI. I will say that this film is never that scary or gory but once the documentary footage turns to genuine slasher it is done in a very smooth way and gives this film more points for being easily the most original film in decades. I hope more movies don't decide to go in this direction because the trend of fake snuff films, satires and comedic horror has almost run its course. "Behind the Mask" is the most well done one although it's not as brutal as an "August Underground" and I personally think it's unfair that a lot of people have the nerve to say this film is definitely better than "Scream". Without "Scream", I am sorry but this film wouldn't have ever been conceived.
Leslie Vernon basically follows a virgin named Kelly Curtis and he plans on killing her and the group of stoners, jocks and horny girls she runs with. Yes women that have sex in this film die but Kelly should be the lucky survivor girl or at least the challenge Vernon is looking for. Leslie Vernon supposedly came from Glen Echo where he was thrown over a water fall and left for dead. He didn't die however and his plan is to kill people in his hometown and those he feel responsible, even distant relatives. There are many twists in this film that add to the late nineties feel of horror movies that started to get overdone once M. Night Shyamalan's "Signs" and "The Village" kept the twist coming!
What I dig about this movie is that when I chuckle it's because something that was said was witty unlike the false laugh viewers must have when watching shit like the "Scary Movie" films. I'll take satires with purpose and creativity over spoofs that just poke fun over the popular films of the past and recent memory.
Is Leslie Vernon that attracted to the spotlight? Is the news crew ready to document the mayhem Vernon is ready to bring to unknowing teenagers? Watch the film and find out all the answers! There are tits and even a gratuitous up skirt that pays homage to some of the tasteless slasher films of the 80's. There are some stoners, a girl spinning her bra while hooking her man up with my personal favorite position reverse cowgirl and a decent body count. Not only does the film have many elements of the classic slasher but it packs almost everything that made the landmark horror films of the 70's through the 90's iconic. Also there are some wonderful theories to what hiding in a closet or running through the woods represents for the killer and his victim. If this film is a let down because it's not a dead serious horror film like "Deranged" or not your cup of tea because the film takes a risk, that's understandable. Still no one can deny the films intelligence or Nathan Baesel's unbelievably energetic performance.
There's on screen kills and off screen kills but nothing that shocking. Still the decent amount of teenagers being executed gives genre fans what they paid for. The film is smart but is never hard to follow. I watched the film with an open mind trying to ignore the popular buzz going on about the film. I am on board with the others when I say that this is a must have film for slasher fans and for those looking for a truly inspiring and conceptual film. No satire about a slasher will outsmart this one anytime soon! The camera style switch, the world of the serial killer "industry" and the dialog between Leslie Vernon and Taylor Gentry along with her off screen camera men was amazing. I can't say enough about the originality factor. Scott Glosserman is a director to start talking about along with the likes of Lucky McKee, Brad Anderson, Eli Roth and Rob Zombie. You can love or hate the directors I just mentioned because that doesn't matter. Glosserman made a film that should align him with the popular up and comers that all seem to have their own voice. This will make my top 10 list no doubt and I recommend everyone purchase this pronto.
Not only is the DVD a must have for the quality of the film, It is also loaded with many extra! Starz Home Entertainment gives this film a great treatment in it's Widescreen 1.85 Presentation, Audio Commentary with the cast, The Making of Behind the Mask, The Casting of Behind the Mask, Deleted and Extented Scenes, Trailers (including a Teaser for Hatchet) and a DVD-Rom Screenplay.
Rating - *** 1/2
-Russ Rutter
