Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Sometimes, the legend far outweighs and goes beyond the person who first created it in the first place. It becomes bigger than one person; it becomes an ideal and a symbol of hope. And for the people of California in 1821, during the Mexican War of Independence, they need a symbol against the tyrannical rule of the Spanish Governor, the ruthless Don Rafael Montero. Thankfully, they have one in Zorro. Unfortunately, it would be the last time they see him for a very long time.

The Mask of Zorro, starring Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Anthony Hopkins, sees the return of that swashbuckling masked adventurer in this 1998 movie. It also means a lot of carved “Z’s” appearing in strange places.


The Ultimate Price For Retribution

Don Diego de la Vega has everything a man could want: a lovely wife, a beautiful baby and sleeping soundly knowing that he is protecting the good people of California. All that comes crashing around his head when Montero figures out that he is Zorro, and in one fell swoop, de la Vega loses it all. His wife is killed, his baby is taken by Montero, and he is thrown in jail. The legacy of de la Vega and Zorro is forever gone.

Twenty years later, Montero returns to California with a plan to make it an independent region. Accompanying him on the trip is his lovely daughter Elena, as well as the sadistic Harrison Love, captain of the American Army. Alejandro Murrieta knows all too well of Love’s handiwork as he brutally murdered his brother. The worlds of de la Vega, Murrieta, Montero and Love will all cross paths leading to the inevitable rebirth of Zorro.

Johnston McCulley’s creation has seen many incarnations since his debut back in 1919. This latest version with Banderas as the masked hero is quite a fun movie. Director Martin Campbell has blended a healthy dose of action, drama and humour to much success.

Hopkins and Banderas do an excellent job as Diego de la Vega and Alejandro Murrieta. There is a great chemistry between these two that sells the movie. If it didn’t exist, this exercise would have been futile. I was quite amused to see Hopkins in this role as the elder Zorro. I never expected him to take on an action role of this sort but he does a great job. There is an air of elegance and grace that exudes from his personality, even when he just stands silently. It’s a beautiful counterbalance to Banderas’ character, one that is rough around the edges, impatient and headstrong, but I enjoyed his development into his new role as protector.

Catherine Zeta-Jones brings an exotic beauty to the movie as Elena. She displays a high independence and fiery spirit of a strong-willed woman waiting to show what she is made of; she is an equal to the men that surround her. This isn’t the first time Zeta-Jones has starred in a comic movie as she was in The Phantom, with Billy Zane and Treat Williams, two years previous to this.

I really liked Stuart Wilson’s role as Don Rafael Montero. As cruel and ruthless as he was, he was sorely misguided in his attempts to bring order for the people. More than anything else, Montero wants to be remembered throughout history for his accomplishments. This is really why he hates Zorro, besides the fact that he foils his plans, because he takes the spotlight away from him.

Lots of action and swordplay is featured throughout the movie and everyone has a hand in experiencing the thrill at least once. The music by James Horner complements the whole movie quite nicely that hearken back to the old Western/Spanish feel. It brings life and mood to scenes all of all kinds, whether it be hardcore action or quiet, softer moments.

Throughout the movie, I could a lot of similarities to Batman. In fact, Batman was mostly modeled after Zorro. The whole secret identity, the playboy attitude, the secret cave lair, even jumping from rooftop to rooftop was present in Zorro. Yet unlike Batman, Zorro is able to have fun with his dual persona. Interestingly, even though Zorro is an inspiration to the creation of Batman, this movie featuring an elder Zorro and his successor is similar to the Batman Beyond television series, where an elderly Bruce Wayne passes his knowledge to Terry McGinnis, the new Batman. It’s funny how things come full circle.

The Mask of Zorro is an entertaining movie that hits all the right notes. It’s funny without being campy. The story is simple and straightforward, yet there is a tenderness that is shown as the legacy is passed down. It is complete escapism with its swashbuckling and high adventure, and that’s all it should be in the end. Who knew the letter “Z” could prove to be so much fun?


Other Comic Book Movies
DC Comics
Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941) || Batman (1943) || Batman: The Movie (1966) || Batman (1989) || Batman Returns || Batman Forever || Batman & Robin || Batman Begins || Batman: Mask of the Phantasm || Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero || Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman || The Batman Superman Movie || Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker || Catwoman || Constantine || Superman: The Movie || Superman II || Superman II: The Donner Cut || Superman III || Superman IV: The Quest for Peace || Superman Returns || Superman: Brainiac Attacks

Marvel Comics
Daredevil || Fantastic Four (2005) || The Invincible Iron Man (2007) || The Punisher (2004) || Spider-Man || Spider-Man 2 || Spider-Man 3 || Ultimate Avengers: The Movie || Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther || X-Men || X2: X-Men United || X-Men: The Last Stand

Independent Comic Books
Men in Black || Popeye || Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles || Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older