One "sssssucky" sequel

"Son of the Mask" is just another poor idea from the Hollywood writers of today. Living up to the reputation that sequels rarely surpass their originals, "Son of the Mask" is definitely not "sssssmokin.'" With a new writer, director and cast, this movie very remotely resembles the original movie. \nTim Avery (Jamie Kennedy) is faced with tough decisions in his life. His wife (Traylor Howard) wants to have a baby, but he works an unfulfilling job where he is trying to get promoted to cartoonist. When Tim's dog finds a mask, he wears it to a company costume party. Lo and behold, the mask has magical powers. Needless to say, Tim is the life of the party and gets his promotion to cartoonist. Tim then goes home and conceives a child with the mask on. The child is born with the mask's magical powers.\nMeanwhile, Loki (Alan Cumming), the god of mischief, is looking to find the mask he once used to store his magical powers, but Tim's dog still has it. Conflict arises when Loki comes after the baby to get his mask back.\nThe main difference between this movie and the original is that we see Tim wearing the mask in only two short sequences. Another big reason this flick isn't up to par with its predecessor is that Jim Carrey is funny and Kennedy is not. The plot is world's apart from the original's. This might have been screenwriter Lance Khazei's intention, but unfortunately he left the laughs behind as well. \nThe one thing that keeps you interested in this fast-paced movie is the cameos. Ben Stein sets the story as a museum tour guide, comedian Steven Wright plays Tim's boss and Bob Hoskins is Odin, "god of gods" and Loki's father. \nThis is a sequel no one was demanding, but we got one anyway. I'm glad the film ends in a finite fashion, as we really don't need another installment. Hopefully audiences will help seal the deal by never seeing "Son of the Mask"