BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON is a nicely-judged slasher spoof with a modern spin. It's a found footage flick for the most part, following a documentary TV crew around as they interview a notorious serial killer as he goes about his business. From the outset, it's obvious that this film was made with a love of the 1980s slasher genre as there are references to all the greats of the genre and they even get incorporated into the story at times. The film's subtext is where the interest lies, gently spoofing and referencing the rules of the genre a la SCREAM. It's not quite as funny or successful as the Wes Craven hit, but the more you like slasher films, the more you'll enjoy this. The unknown cast do well with their roles and there are some fine cameos from genre players Scott Wilson (pre-Herschel), Robert Englund playing the good guy for a change, and the wonderful Zelda Rubinstein of POLTERGEIST fame.
