Mirrormask is a collaboration between the storytelling skills of Neil Gaiman (Sandman, Good Omens, American Gods) and artist Dave McKean (Sandman). It's a fantasy movie, heavy on special effects and wildly imaginative plot elements.
The movie follows the story of a young girl who lives and performs in a circus. When her mother falls ill, she enters a fantasy world of her own creation and is tasked with saving the land of light from the dark shadows.
To go too much into the plot would be to spoil the movie itself, so I can best describe this as a modern-day Alice in Wonderland tale, but without the heavy religious allegories. It's at once joyful, depressing, mindboggling and funny, each adding to the others, rather than taking anything away.
The special effects are stunning, and were created by the masters at Jim Henson's Workshop.
The only real negative about the film is that it feels like it takes an age to start, but once it does, it's brilliant.
Highly recommended for all fantasy fans, and those who want a little bit of escapism.