Great UNMASKING Moments in Movies/TV
Comments(10)
- By abefroman
Since Halloween is all about people putting masks on, I thought it would be interesting to put together a compilation of great movie and television moments where people take masks OFF!
I believe it was The Office’s Michael Scott who said in an improv class:
Think about this: what is the most exciting thing that can happen on TV or in movies, or in real life? Somebody has a gun. That’s why I always start with a gun, because you can’t top it. You just can’t.
Well, I’m here to say; you can top a gun! A great unmasking, or “mask off” moment will have 10 times the surprise effect a gun has. Anyone can go out and buy a gun! But the shock value of an unmasked reveal takes a more intricate and elaborate set up.
This isn’t a list of the “greatest” or of my favorite, this is simply great moments in unmasking!
Some of the stipulations for this list include:
-An actual mask must be taken off. A mere false identity reveal doesn’t count, e.g: Fight Club, Batman Begins, The Usual Suspects and Saw.
-Either the audience, a character in the story or the character themselves must be surprised by the revealed identity or grotesqueness in the unmasking. Seeing someone take off a mask by themselves or to a loyal confidant doesn’t count, e.g: Darth Vader unmasking in Return of The Jedi and most superhero movies.
So it goes without saying… Although most of these are well known twists or reveals that don’t surprise the audience, some of these contain SPOILERS!!!
Check it out and let us know what you think!
In order from the latest to the earliest:
Watchmen(2009)
Dark Knight (2008)
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Gladiator (2000)
Mission Impossible II (2000)
Batman Returns (1992)
Dick Tracy (1990)
The Princess Bride (1987)
Return Of The Jedi (1983)
Twilight Zone : The Masks (1964)
Twilight Zone : Eye of The Beholder (1960)
Wizard of Oz (1939)*
* Not a mask, but I think this should count.
Phantom Of The Opera (1925)
If there are any you think I should include on the list, let me know!
i love mission impossibly 2. so over the top it's just good lol. that scene has every component to make something cool; explosions, slow flying birds, choir background music lol.
and joker's unmasking is the best imo. scene gives me chills every time i watch it. whatever bass or depth they added to his voice when he says "stranger" is chilling. too good.
Here's one more, a masking-unmasking scene, from Le maitre de musique (The music teacher). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0IrTzODd1u
Geek, how could you not have the Predator taking his mask off in front of Dutch (Arnold) in the original PREDATOR. When I saw the title of the article I was expecting to see Pred at the top of the list.
definitely one of the first things I thought of!!! What kind of a geek do you think I am. I couldn't find a clip. And seeing as these are the best unmaking "Moments", I really wanted to put up a clip.
But if you know of a link to one, that'd be awesome! Otherwise, it's like, "Remember… when the predator took off his mask… That was awesome."
But maybe I'll have to just settle and do that.
BTW… I love your water.
Watchmen. Not The Watchmen.
That annoys the living piss out of me.
I have a name… it's Abe, but yeah. I'm a geek. Definitely one of the first things I thought of!!! For sure. I couldn't find a clip. And seeing as these are the great unmaking "Moments" ad not "the best of" or the "Top", I really wanted to put up a clip. There's a couple more out there that could have been in there as well.
But if you know of a link to one, that'd be awesome! Otherwise, it's like, "Remember… when the predator took off his mask… That was awesome."
Maybe I'll have to just settle and do that.
BTW… I love your water.
Abe, sorry about not saying your name there
I was thinking it was just a general Geek Tyrant post. I'll remember next time. Bwhahahaha
No worries! I was just teasing. Thanks for visiting the site, and for the suggestion. I will be on the hunt for that clip once again!
Shoot! Taken down. Thanks though.
Haha! Total brain fart. I agree… it's like saying THE Led ZeppeIin, or THE O.C. Corrected.
Thanks The Jon.