Son of the Mask

Son of the Mask is a 2005 superhero comedy film directed by Lawrence Guterman. The sequel to The Mask (1994), it is the second film in The Mask franchise, an adaptation of the comic book series of the same name by Dark Horse Comics. The film stars Jamie Kennedy as Tim Avery, an aspiring animator whose child is born with the powers of the Mask. It co-stars Alan Cumming as Loki, whom Odin has ordered to find the Mask, alongside Traylor Howard, Kal Penn, Steven Wright, Bob Hoskins as Odin, and Ryan and Liam Falconer as Tim baby Alvey. Ben Stein cameos as Doctor Arthur Neuman from the original film.

Plans for a second film started as early as 1996 when an issue of Nintendo Power held a promotional contest, but since Jim Carrey declined to return to the sequel due to his personal experiences with Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, the contest ultimately failed. Development would eventually restart in 2001 with Kennedy starring in the role, and the majority of the film was shot in Sydney, Australia from late-November 2003 to early-April 2004. After being delayed from a tentative Summer to October 15, 2004 release, the film was eventually released in theaters on February 18, 2005 by New Line Cinema in the United States and on March 10, 2005 by Warner Bros. Pictures in Germany. Upon release, Son of the Mask was extremely panned by critics and audiences, with large criticism pointed directly towards its script, lack of the original cast, and moments too inappropriate for a PG-rated film. The film only managed to gross $59.9 million worldwide, less than its $84–$100 million budget, making it a box-office bomb, especially compared to its predecessor's critical and commercial success. It is widely considered as one of the worst films of all time.

Some time after the events of the first film, Doctor Arthur Neuman is giving a tour of the hall of Norse mythology in Edge City's local museum. Neuman mentions that Loki, the God of Mischief, created the mask and unleashed it on Earth to spread chaos among humankind and that those who wear it are granted his powers. When Neuman mentions Loki's imprisonment at his father Odin's hands, a stranger becomes furious and transforms, revealing himself to be Loki. The tourists panic and flee, but Neuman stays to argue with Loki, who takes the mask in the display case, only to realize it is a replica. In anger, he removes Neuman's face and puts it in the case, disposes of the arriving authorities, and storms out of the museum, frantically searching for his Mask.

In Fringe City, the real mask is found in a river by a dog named Otis who belongs to Tim Avery. An aspiring animator, Tim is reluctant to accept parenthood with his wife Tonya. On a tropical island, Loki is relaxing until Odin orders him to resume the search for the mask, believing it has caused too much chaos for mankind. Loki asks his father for help, but Odin says that he has to take responsibility for his actions.

Tim puts on the mask for his studio's Halloween party, and becomes a green-faced party animal who can magically alter his surroundings. When the party turns out to be a bore, Tim uses his newfound powers to perform a remix of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You", invigorating the event and giving Tim's boss Daniel Moss the inspiration for a new cartoon. That night, Tim returns to his house and has sex with Tonya, while still wearing the mask. A baby is conceived and is born with the same powers as the mask, which alerts Odin. Possessing a store clerk, Odin informs Loki and tells him that if he finds the child, he will find the mask.

Months later, Tonya goes on a business trip, leaving Tim with their son Alvey. Tim, now promoted, desperately tries to work on his cartoon at home, but is continuously disrupted by Alvey. To get some peace and quiet, Tim lets Alvey watch various cartoons on television, which inspire Alvey to torment his father using his powers. Otis, who has been feeling neglected by Tim, accidentally dons the mask, gains its power, and tries to get rid of Alvey, but his attempts are foiled by the craftier infant.

Loki eventually finds Alvey and confronts Tim for the mask, but Alvey uses his powers to protect his father. Odin, possessing Tim's body, finally had enough of Loki, scolds his destructive approach, and strips him of his powers. Tim is later fired after failing to impress Moss during a pitch but reconciles and bonds with Alvey. Loki, determined to please his father, sneaks into the Avery household and completes a summoning ritual and appeals to Odin to restore his powers. Odin agrees, but only for a limited time, stating this is his last chance.

Loki kidnaps Alvey in exchange for the mask. Tonya returns home and goes with Tim and Otis, to whom Tim had apologized for his negligence, to make the exchange. Loki, impressed by his powers of the mask and growing fond of him, decides to keep Alvey despite the exchange, forcing the group to chase after them as Tim becomes the Mask once more. The subsequent confrontation is evenly matched, prompting Loki to halt the fight, suggesting they let Alvey decide who to be with. Although Loki tries to lure Alvey to him with promises of fun, Tim takes off the mask and convinces his son to choose him. Enraged, Loki tries to kill Tim, but his time and powers run out at the last minute, before Odin appears in person, again scolding Loki for his failure. Tim, however, feels sympathy for Loki and reminds Odin that regardless of their problems, they are still family. After Tim gives them the mask, Odin reconciles with Loki, and the duo returns home.