After more than two decades of speculation, rewrites, and hopeful fan chatter, The Mask franchise finally returns in spectacular style with the much-anticipated sequel: The Mask 3: Rise of Loki. Directed by Sam Raimi and starring a charismatic new cast alongside returning fan favorites, the film boldly mixes slapstick chaos with mythological high stakes.
The film opens in modern-day New Orleans, where a struggling cartoonist named Miles Cortez (played by Anthony Ramos) stumbles upon a weathered wooden mask during Mardi Gras. Unaware of its ancient Norse origins, he dons the mask — unleashing a new iteration of the Trickster spirit with a bold Latin-American flair, complete with salsa-powered chase scenes and reality-bending antics.
But this time, the Mask isn’t just about mischief. Loki, the true Norse god behind the artifact’s power, has awakened from his imprisonment. Played by Mads Mikkelsen in a chilling, theatrical performance, Loki wants his power back — and he’ll stop at nothing to destroy the one who wears it.
Enter Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey), now a reclusive painter tormented by memories of his time as the Mask. When chaos erupts in the news, Stanley is forced out of retirement to help Miles control the mask before Loki brings about a “Ragnarok of Laughter” — a storm of reality-warping madness that could rewrite the world itself.
Unlike its predecessors, The Mask 3 balances the wacky Looney Tunes energy with emotional depth. Miles struggles with identity, loss, and temptation — the mask offering him freedom but threatening his soul. Carrey, in a touching and unexpectedly subdued return, serves as mentor and warning: the mask gives you what you want, but it takes something, too.
Visually, the film is a treat. Raimi’s signature camera tricks and cartoon physics come to life with modern CGI that embraces the absurd. From rubber-limbed brawls to musical battles with possessed instruments, the film knows exactly how silly it is — and loves it.
Yet, what surprises most is its heart. At its core, Rise of Loki is about control: who we are when given power, and whether we can remain true to ourselves. It’s not just a comic book movie; it’s a mythic comedy with purpose.
