Review of The Mask of Zorro (1998) by Jim M — 21 Mar 2010

California, the early 19th century: Spains rule over Mexico is crumbling, the last Governor of California, Don Rafaele Montero, lays plans for the future well baiting a trap for his arch-nemesis Zorro. Zorro will defeat his trap only to find Montero on his door step. In the insuing fight Zorro's wife is killed and Zorro imprisoned. 20 years later the new Mexican government is just as corrupt as the old Spainish Empire and Montero returns to establish Califronia as an independant Republic run by him. Zorro escapes and takes a young apprentice to take up the mask...and exact vengeance.

A throw back to the older swashbucklers this is a popcorn movie in the best sense, action, humor, drama and great perfromances by Antonio Banderas, Stuart Wilson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Anthony Hopkins (plus a cameo by L.Q. Jones a man seemingly assembled from the spare parts of a dozen western actors). Banderas fits the role of the apprentice Zorro well and Hopkins as Zorro the elder brings some well refined class and charm to the role (kudos to Hopkins for being the professional he is, I've never once gotten the sense that he's every phoned anything in). Wilson as Montero relishes the role of a villian who sees himself as something more, and the film gives hints that Montero exists as a person rather then a one dimensional bastard. Recommended for fans of action and adventure, though there's enough here to please just about everyone. Not without it's (minor) faults I'd have to say this is an example of a flawless popcorn movie. Check it out.