wes craven scream be a strikingly dead on persiflage of the slasher genre while at the same time include enough scare to become more than just a parody and but an important part of that genre itself . behind the mask represent the rise of leslie vernon be very similar in that aspect and but it also completely different in others . for the most part the movie be a fake documentary in true spinal tap fashion . a tv crew follow leslie vernon around and a guy who have the ambition to become the next slasher legend after his idol michael myers and jason vorhees and freddy krueger ( who exist in the movie reality ) . a leslie show the team how he prepare for a killing spree he deconstruct one horror rule after the other with pretty amuse result . the movie observe the genre pretty well and the sort of backstage look we get of a horror icon lovingly plan his big night be nothing short of hilarious . where scream make fun of some ridiculous horror clichés and toy around with them and behind the mask be merely explain just how those seemingly supernatural killer be able to work so effectively . so and although both movie cover similar ground and behind the mask be never in any way repetitive . leslie vernon turn out to be a really sweet guy who just love what he do . he friends with an old and more experienced slasher and who also very warm and talkative . neither of those guy look like typical maniac and so when leslie do make his first appearance mask and all and it rather amuse . however and the movie make a pretty amazing turn in the final third . for the big showdown we leave the movie within a movie scenario create by the documentary set up and be take right into the movie reality . all of a sudden behind the mask turn into a real slasher film . although this last part isn not half bad and it not quite as enjoyable a what precede it . the twist be a bit predictable and the movie lack real gore and suspense at the end in order to work a a slasher flick . one have to say that scream come from an old professional such a wes craven be more successful in that aspect . still and regard the fact that this movie strictly concentrate on fun in the first two third and only begin to throw in full on horror bit in the end and the showdown work quite well . leslie mask be choose wisely . it can look ridiculous and scary depending on the mood of the scene . nathan baesel and who make his movie debut here and be choose even more wisely . he can play the nice guy and the psychopath without ever overact and hand in a great and great performance . the other member of the cast that must be mention be horror legend robert englund who do a nice donald pleasance impersonation . the subtle little homage to friday the 13th and halloween and a nightmare on elm street throughout the movie be the ice on the cake and will make the heart of every true horror fan beat fast . and that the only true flaw of behind the mask right there represent it for true horror geek only who can laugh about the inside joke . everyone else will probably not be entertain a much . if youre into the genre and though and there no way you should miss this excellent motion picture .