The Mask of Zorro (B or 3/4 stars)
Director Martin Campbell's 1998 swashbuckler, 'The Mask of Zorro' (based on Johnston McCulley's 1919 short story, The Curse of Capistrano) is a wonderful, old-style action/adventure entertainment that proves 'they can still make 'em like they used to'. The year is 1821 and the cruel Spanish governor of Alta California, Don Rafael Montero (Stuart Wilson), is ready to leave the American west coast & his oppression of the locals; but not before one final public execution. Before this occurs, however, Don Diego de la Vega (Anthony Hopkins), aka Zorro, the legendary hero, swoops-in, fights Montero's forces & frees those who were to be executed. From there, an enraged Montero tracks down Don Diego in his palatial estate.
There, after a brief battle, Don Diego's wife, Esperanza (Julieta Rosen), is accidentally killed. Montero then takes their baby daughter Elena as his own, & he locks up Don Diego in prison before heading for Spain. 20 long yrs. later, Don Diego is able to escape from prison when he learns that Montero has returned to California. Prepared to kill his nemesis, Don Diego halts when he spots Elena (now Catherine Zeta-Jones), a ravishing young beauty who knows her father to be Montero. Needing someone to enact revenge for him, Don Diego recruits local bandit, Alejandro Murrieta (Antonio Banderas), who is seeking his own revenge on Montero's American military leader, Capt. Harrison Love (Matt Letscher), for murdering his brother, Joaquin.
Recalling that the 2 brothers saved his life some 20 yrs. back, Don Diego decides to train Alejandro to be his protege & successor ... the next Zorro. As Alejandro becomes proficient in swashbuckling & learns to control his hot temper, he must manage his growing attraction to feisty Elena, who is dazzled by this masked, but charming figure. But after learning that brutal Montero is preparing an outlandish scheme that will make him buy all of California from the Mexican president, he & Don Diego spring to action; as both men prep for avenging encounters with the men who have done them wrong.
'The Mask of Zorro' is straightforward, simple in its storytelling, but a thoroughly thrilling swashbuckling adventure made in the vintage Hollywood style. The character of Zorro has been played by the likes of Douglas Fairbanks Sr. {circa 1920}, Tyrone Power, Guy Williams, Frank Langella, Guy Hamilton, and now both Anthony Hopkins & Antonio Banderas. This film revives interest in the venerable hero and, to that, I am all for it. Most 'superhero' movies tend to be dark, bleak, and/or reliant on visual effects, but 'The Mask of Zorro' is thankfully none of that. In fact, I was reminded of a Raiders of the Lost Ark, in style & tone. Like that film, 'Zorro', has plenty of action, derring-do, and it doesn't take itself too seriously -- good combination.
Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins & Catherine Zeta-Jones are stupendous, here. Hopkins brings steeliness & emotional vulnerability to Don Diego; giving an atypical performance as the aging former swashbuckler, but like anything else the actor does, you fully believe that he is who he is. Antonio Banderas infuses his Zorro with self-deprecating cheeky humor, charm, charisma & the physical acumen/stunt work that is required of the role. Zorro is heroic, but imperfect, which makes him all the more endearing & human. And his spirited erotic chemistry with Zeta-Jones is electrifying. As for Zeta-Jones, sure, she's gorgeous ... but she's more than just some damsel in distress. She fiery, witty, free-spirited, & can wield a sword with the best of 'em.
I commend the film's propulsive pace {despite 137 min. run time}. Phil Meheux's cinematography & the period production designs are beautiful. Graciela Mazon's costumes are spectacular; I'm reminded of Elena's seductively tattered dress. This film received 2 Academy Award nominations for its crisp sound design. And I loved James Horner's melodic & rousing music score. So yeah, 'The Mask of Zorro' is made with verve & zest. It's a throwback to the filmmaking of yesteryear. The script is a bit simplistic: good must defeat evil; the hero must get the girl; happy endings ensue. And a better villain would've provided better conflict. But on the whole, 'The Mask of Zorro' is a great example of how action movies could & should be made.
There, after a brief battle, Don Diego's wife, Esperanza (Julieta Rosen), is accidentally killed. Montero then takes their baby daughter Elena as his own, & he locks up Don Diego in prison before heading for Spain. 20 long yrs. later, Don Diego is able to escape from prison when he learns that Montero has returned to California. Prepared to kill his nemesis, Don Diego halts when he spots Elena (now Catherine Zeta-Jones), a ravishing young beauty who knows her father to be Montero. Needing someone to enact revenge for him, Don Diego recruits local bandit, Alejandro Murrieta (Antonio Banderas), who is seeking his own revenge on Montero's American military leader, Capt. Harrison Love (Matt Letscher), for murdering his brother, Joaquin.
Recalling that the 2 brothers saved his life some 20 yrs. back, Don Diego decides to train Alejandro to be his protege & successor ... the next Zorro. As Alejandro becomes proficient in swashbuckling & learns to control his hot temper, he must manage his growing attraction to feisty Elena, who is dazzled by this masked, but charming figure. But after learning that brutal Montero is preparing an outlandish scheme that will make him buy all of California from the Mexican president, he & Don Diego spring to action; as both men prep for avenging encounters with the men who have done them wrong.
'The Mask of Zorro' is straightforward, simple in its storytelling, but a thoroughly thrilling swashbuckling adventure made in the vintage Hollywood style. The character of Zorro has been played by the likes of Douglas Fairbanks Sr. {circa 1920}, Tyrone Power, Guy Williams, Frank Langella, Guy Hamilton, and now both Anthony Hopkins & Antonio Banderas. This film revives interest in the venerable hero and, to that, I am all for it. Most 'superhero' movies tend to be dark, bleak, and/or reliant on visual effects, but 'The Mask of Zorro' is thankfully none of that. In fact, I was reminded of a Raiders of the Lost Ark, in style & tone. Like that film, 'Zorro', has plenty of action, derring-do, and it doesn't take itself too seriously -- good combination.
Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins & Catherine Zeta-Jones are stupendous, here. Hopkins brings steeliness & emotional vulnerability to Don Diego; giving an atypical performance as the aging former swashbuckler, but like anything else the actor does, you fully believe that he is who he is. Antonio Banderas infuses his Zorro with self-deprecating cheeky humor, charm, charisma & the physical acumen/stunt work that is required of the role. Zorro is heroic, but imperfect, which makes him all the more endearing & human. And his spirited erotic chemistry with Zeta-Jones is electrifying. As for Zeta-Jones, sure, she's gorgeous ... but she's more than just some damsel in distress. She fiery, witty, free-spirited, & can wield a sword with the best of 'em.
I commend the film's propulsive pace {despite 137 min. run time}. Phil Meheux's cinematography & the period production designs are beautiful. Graciela Mazon's costumes are spectacular; I'm reminded of Elena's seductively tattered dress. This film received 2 Academy Award nominations for its crisp sound design. And I loved James Horner's melodic & rousing music score. So yeah, 'The Mask of Zorro' is made with verve & zest. It's a throwback to the filmmaking of yesteryear. The script is a bit simplistic: good must defeat evil; the hero must get the girl; happy endings ensue. And a better villain would've provided better conflict. But on the whole, 'The Mask of Zorro' is a great example of how action movies could & should be made.