HotToastyRag
If you missed seeing The Mask of Zorro in the theaters, you missed out on a key milestone of a childhood in the '90s. I remember sitting on the edge of my seat watching what was probably the first action movie I'd ever seen, falling in love with Antonio Banderas's wavy hair and Catherine Zeta-Jones's exquisitely beautiful face. Was there ever a more beautiful screen couple? Well, in 1998 I didn't think so, and the magic of childhood remembrance puts such a glow around them that no other screen couple will probably be able to touch them.In this film version of legend of the masked hero, Zorro is captured at the beginning of the movie. The bad guy, Stuart Wilson, grows his power for twenty years, until Zorro escapes from jail. The problem is, Anthony Hopkins is Zorro, and he's far too old to return to his swashbuckling days. The only solution is to find and train a new Zorro so that the legend will continue and justice will prevail. I'll never forget the exciting and grueling training sequence between Anthony Hopkins and Antonio Banderas: it's a sequence between two good guys, but it's still just as thrilling as the action scenes later on in the film!Moviegoers who like swashbuckling movies, action flicks, or historical romances will love The Mask of Zorro. Antonio lives a double life, since no one knows the true identity of the masked avenger, and he's funny, daring, and charming as he woos Catherine-with and without the mask. There are political discussions, romantic tensions, and incredible fight and action scenes. This thrilling '90s masterpiece is not to be missed-even if you're seeing it for the first time as a grown-up, I'm sure you'll love it.
thehaunting
This film has everything, not because it does so many things to you emotionally, but because it has enough of every ingredient to tick a checkbox. Action? Yes. Hot girl? Yes. Romance? Yes. Swords? Yes. Guns? Yes. Masked hero? Yes. Oppressed masses? Evil capitalists? Popular uprising? Board meeting of evil people? Father-daughter reunion? Master-protégé type situation? Masked dude kissing a girl and meeting her for a dance (sans mask)? Protégé marrying master's daughter and doing the same as he did?The action scenes were too long and boring. The baddies are just a series of people that Zorro has to beat up. There's no consequence to any of it. He doesn't get captured or hurt. A conveyor belt of tasks rolls faces to his fist/sword and he does what he must.This film needed to be dark, something like Batman, but instead it seems to be intended for children. Catherine Zeta Jones is there to attract adult men, and the romance and father-daughter stuff is there for women, I guess?This film tries to go for everyone, but ends up being for no one.
Anssi Vartiainen
Many a movie has been made about Zorro, but nowadays this is probably, if not the most well-known, then at least very close. And for a good reason. It's a great movie that introduces the legendary character to new audiences while also pleasing those that are already familiar with him. It's entertaining, full of great action scenes as well as great characters, has a plot that's just perfect for a summer blockbuster and has a good cast of actors to pull it all off.And while I do think that the plot is just simple enough for a blockbuster adventure swashbuckler film such as this one, I do enjoy its subtle touches. Like the fact that our Zorro this time around is the fictional brother of a real-life Mexican outlaw Joaquín Murrieta or that he is opposed by Harrison Love, who's based on a real-life army man named Harry Love. And the very real conflict between Mexico, California and United States works as the background of it all.The film is also very good at building mythos. The very fact that the original Zorro has grown old and is forced to train a replacement for himself is a great plot hook that allows the film to distance itself from the original stories and build a storyline of its own, while still also giving as all the traditional Zorro moments that we love. Anthony Hopkins plays Diego de la Vega, and while it is a bit distracting whenever he's forced to play the younger Zorro in flashbacks, he is very good as an aged nobleman turned outlaw.Likewise, Antonia Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones shine as the protagonist and his love interest. Both are capable of filling their roles with both the charisma and the humour that these kinds of movies require, and they have good screen chemistry together.The Mask of Zorro is one of my favourite swashbuckling films. It keeps you entertained from start to finish and is filled with enough content to allow you to see it over and over again. Definitely worth a watch for all fans of adventure and fun.
LeonLouisRicci
Bob Kane said in Many Interviews that Zorro was the Inspiration for His Creation Batman. The Black Outfit (Cape and Mask), the Nightly Adventures, the Black Horse (Batmobile), the Cave, the Dual Identity, and the Bat Symbol Everywhere (Z).So Young Fan Boys there You Go. Zorro is One Cool Character who Predated Batman by Twenty Years. Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins Bring the Character to New Life in this Wonderful, Fun, Exciting Adventure. The Film Combines Humor, Pathos, Action, and Romance in a Blend of Old Style Entertainment that Never Really Goes Out of Style.Everything Clicks. The Movie does Go On a Bit Long and is in Danger of Wearing Out its Welcome but Things Climax Just in the Nick of Time. It is Almost All Done for Real with Just a Smidgen of CGI and it is a Welcome Change and it All Comes Together as a Movie for All Ages. For Once, the Big Budget is Not Wasted. There are Strong and Charismatic Performances and Characters Across the Board, the Cinematography is Stunning, the Music, Costumes and Sets are All Finely Tuned for an Excellent Effort at Some Old Timey Fun.
AD
