"Not bad...not bad at all."

THE MASK OF ZORRO (PG-13) 

Reviewed July 19, 1998 - Check out The Mask of Zorro Website.

In a movie that revives the legend of a masked avenger dressed in black (no, not Batman), The Mask of Zorro goes back in time and gives us a lively, swashbuckling adventure starring Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, and newcomer Catherine Zeta-Jones.  The story, set in 19th-Century Spanish-ruled California, begins with an original Zorro (Don Diego de la Vega played by Anthony Hopkins) who, in his work protecting the citizens of "Alta California," angers the ruling Don Rafael Montero (Stuart Wilson) and ends up with his wife dead, his house burned, and his infant daughter stolen (by Don Montero, who raises her as his own).  Oh, and as if this weren't enough punishment, Don Diego is imprisoned for twenty long years...

Well, you'd be upset too, wouldn't you?  Twenty years later, when Don Montero returns to California with Don Diego's beautiful young daughter Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones), Don Diego plots his revenge.  Taking a common thief named Alejandro Murrieta (Antonio Banderas) under his tutelage, a new Zorro is born, and the fight against Don Montero and his men begins once again.

The Mask of Zorro runs for a solid two and a half hours, and in that time a number of subplots and side stories are developed.  Alejandro's relationship with his brother, Don Diego's relationship with Elena, and Don Montero's plot to take California are just a few complications thrown into the mix.  The results, as you'd expect, are varied.  Though the chemistry between Banderas, Hopkins, and Zeta-Jones is a joy to watch, some slower sequences also pop up as the film attempts to tell all its stories.  Without question, the most entertaining parts of Zorro are in the moments between Banderas and Hopkins as pupil and master, and then those between Banderas and Zeta-Jones as flirting duelers.  Yes, it does seem that Antonio Banderas was made to play this role.

Unfortunately, The Mask of Zorro fails to take full advantage of Banderas' wide-eyed energy, instead cutting back and forth from subplot to subplot.  For those who can forgive this bit of overzealousness in filmmaking, Zorro stands as an engaging and watchable film that can be extremely entertaining.  Others, however, might find the 2 1/2 hour runtime slightly too much of a swordfighting, horse-riding, rope-swinging experience for one sitting.  Personally, I tend to lean towards the first group, but with the concession that The Mask of Zorro could have been an even more appealing film than in its current presentation.

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!

qtlilangel736@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I watched this movie 10 times this week cuz I loved it so much and Antonio is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo HOT. " (12/18/00)

zaineba_tr@yahoo.com gives this movie  stars: "I could never recover from my crush on Banderas.He is the best!!! And of course the movie was great. I had to see it 3 times!" (10/22/99)

yaron@pos.co.il gives this movie  stars: "Great movie, great fun, great Catherine Zeta Jones" (9/12/99)

JB-Kim@wiu.edu gives this movie  stars: "A fun fun fun movie. Antonio Banderas gives a memorable performance as the "new" Zorro. His smile, charm, and quick wit holds the entire audience captive. Sir Anothony Hopkins shows that no matter how old he may be portrayed, he is still a force to be reckoned with. And Catherine Zeta Jones. She's not Spanish??? She's Welsh. Her dance with Banderas left absolutely EVERYONE in the theater breathless...somebody please tell me she's not married. ;P" (1/30/99)

David gives this movie  stars: "From the start it had me hooked, with swahbuckling sword-play and great action sequences. Good acting performances and this was a fun outing." (12/30/98)

tahi@juno.com gives this movie  stars: "I was absolutely entertained by this movie. Good chemistry between the actors." (12/12/98)

beebsz@yahoo.com gives this movie  stars: "i like zorro since i was 6, so of course the movie's GREAT!!!!!" (11/23/98)

lassemoi@solutions.fi gives this movie  stars: "Actors were all very good and Catherine Zeta-Jones was my immediate crash while I saw her." (10/25/98)

honloo@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "This movie was great because chatherine zeta jones was sooo pretty" (10/10/98)

Staaarbabe@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "It was a good movie but the sword fighting got boring after a while." (9/18/98)

leif_gunnar@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I LOVE that film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE that film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE that film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (9/5/98)

Mach It gives this movie  stars: "Great action! This movie kept me in my seat." (8/27/98)

Dave gives this movie  stars: "This movie as some of the best sword fights I ever seen. It's very funny and worth seeing just for Hopkins performance." (8/1/98)