THE MASK OF ZORRO **** (out of five stars) A review by Jamey Hughton
Starring-Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stuart Wilson and Matt Letscher Director-Martin Campbell Rated PG Released July 1998 Sony
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The popularity of the masked sword-fighter Zorro has plummeted since his rise to fame in the 1930's. With the appearance of famed superheroes Batman and Superman in their first feature-length films, Zorro had to take a back seat. After all, he had no super powers. With the release of the swashbuckling epic The Mask of Zorro, the franchise has been revitalized with more potential than anyone had originally foreseen.
As if one Zorro was not exciting enough, The Mask of Zorro gives us two. The original man in black is Don Diego De La Vega (Anthony Hopkins), a savior of the Mexican people. In a thrilling prologue, De La Vega is thwarting the plans of the greedy and careless governor of Mexico, Don Rafael Montero (Stuart Wilson). Afterward, like a medieval Batman riding a horse through the caves and back to his mansion, we meet his wife Esperenza and beautiful baby daughter lying peacefully in her crib. But Montero somehow traces his steps, and Esperenza is accidentally killed in a struggle. De La Vega is sent of to prison, and Montero whisks his daughter away to raise her as his own.
Twenty years later, De La Vega finds the chance to escape from prison once he learns that Montero is back, and has plans to make California into an Independent Republic. While at first De La Vega plots instant revenge on his sworn enemy, he sees his daughter (Catherine Zeta-Jones), now fully grown and by Montero's side. He can't bring himself to finish the deed with such personal issues now in consideration.
Luckily for De La Vega, another young rogue exists that has a personal grudge against Montero's officers. Alejandro Murrieta (Antonio Banderas), formerly one half of the infamous Murrieta brothers, is now miserable and poor as he drinks his problems away. De La Vega stumbles upon Alejandro when he spots a medallion he once gave to him as a young boy for helping him in battle. Murrieta, at the time, is plotting to kill the incomparable and cold-hearted Captain Love (Matt Letscher), who is responsible for his brother's death. De La Vega teaches him to control his anger, and enlists his help so that he can finally take revenge.
And so begins the training of the new Zorro. Banderas is truly wonderful and dashing in this role, with his inexperienced quips and humorous jabs about getting into battle. Hopkins, on the other hand, is such a veteran presence and distinguished actor that we will go along with whatever he says. Together, they meld exceptionally well as the mentor and his apprentice. This is the life-force that makes The Mask of Zorro so enjoyable.
There's also sprinkles of romance between Banderas and the gorgeous Zeta-Jones, played out in humorous sword-play and marvelous chemistry. The dialogue throughout the film is crisp and well spoken, separating the good from the bad with an easily distinguishable black line. The human elements are fun, but the real scene-stealing belongs to the incredible fight choreography. Characters clash their swords at lightning speed, and Banderas flips and tumbles like an amazingly talented daredevil acrobat. The stunts in The Mask of Zorro are all spectacular, and the action will give you white knuckles almost instantly.
There's a few instances of violence that could have been toned down, but even so this should entertain the whole family. There's enough well-played humor, rousing action and delightful romance to meet nearly anyone's approval. The fact that Zorro has no super powers is what makes him so unique. He fights for something that everyone can get behind, wants what is best for his people, and has good taste in women... this is what I call a real hero.
(C) 1998, Jamey Hughton
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