Mask of Zorro, The (1998)

reviewed by
Chris Bumbray


For over a year now the trailers have been playing in theaters, and before every video released by the film's distributor Sony. I personally have been dying to see this movie from the moment it was announced. This is probably one of the best movies I have ever seen, and easily the best of the summer.

The film begins with a bond style opening, that has Zorro walking to the middle of the screen and and slashing a Z. After this we have a 20 minute prologue featuring Anthony Hopkins as Zorro. Hopkins is surprisingly great as Zorro. I must say this now, I think Hopkins is one of the greatest actors in modern cinema. The best part of the prologue is the duel between Zorro (as Don Diego de la Vega) and the film's villain Stuart Wilson. This backed by James Horner's excellent score make this extraordinary. Vega's wife is killed and his baby taken by Wilson, and Vega himself is imprisoned. Flash forward twenty years to Vega's escape and subsequent training of the new Zorro played by Antonio Bandares. Antonio's character seeks revenge for the murder of his brother at the hand of one of the villain's guards.

                                            I love this film and everyone
should see it. The acting is great all around, and I liked the subplot about
Hopkins' daughter (played by the stunning Catherine Zeta - Jones).
This movie easily rates a 10/10

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