The Legend of Zorro Movie Review:


Firstly, 1998's The Mask of Zorro wasn't as good as people seem to remember. It's a progressively stupid adventure livened up by sexy suggestiveness. Well, here's more of the same, but with silly comedy where the spiciness was before.

It's 10 years later, and 1850 America is heading for civil war, while California is about to upset the balance as the newest state in the union. Alejandro (Banderas) is still swashbuckling as masked hero Zorro, fighting the local bandit (Chinlund) while his short-tempered wife Elena (Zeta-Jones) minds their precocious son (Alonso). After a particularly nasty argument, Elena seeks comfort from a wealthy school buddy (Sewell). But everyone is hiding something.

The cast has to really work to keep the preposterously complicated plot in its place, which gets increasingly difficult as it escalates into overwrought Wild Wild West territory. But as we wait for the next ludicrous action sequence, the actors do keep us engaged. Banderas and Zeta-Jones manage to find that spark of chemistry amid the corny dialog and cheesy story construction. They're great fun together, even if their characters now feel like they belong on a sketch comedy show. Banderas adds a nice touch of world-weariness to Zorro, while Zeta-Jones just poses in a series of fabulous frocks, devising a new accent to go with each one.

Basically, this is a goofy, camp action romp that's impossible to take seriously in any way (although the filmmakers lamely try to add touches of relevance). Yes, the fights are extremely choreographed, with convenient props everywhere. Sure, there isn't an ounce of invention, as every action cliche is mercilessly recycled--plot points, characters, events, settings, even an Abraham Lincoln cameo.

It's the kind of movie Michael Bay would make if he made period films--gigantic gratuitous explosions, overly witty stuntwork and ever more gruesome deaths for the monstrously evil bad guys. There isn't a shade of grey anywhere. But it's also fairly good fun, and as the entire family gets involved in the action, we know that in a few years they'll be back for The Son of Zorro. Olé!



Rich Cline

Ten years of been the people's champion Zorro has taken its toll on Alejandro de la Vega (Banderas). While he still struck fear into hearts of criminals and fought for justice in California, it was at home he was losing the battle. He promised his Elena (Zeta-Jones) that when California became part of America, Zorro would be no more and he could be with his family but with three months until they officially become part of the Union, Alejandro thinks this is the time that the people will need him the most. Elena doesn't take this very well and tells Alejandro she wants a divorce.

Reinventing itself in 1998, the mask of Zorro passed to Antonio Banderas but with seven years wait until his next adventure, will we still be enthralled by the mark of the Z?

The Mask of Zorro was a brilliant piece of family entertainment that captured the spirit of the famous stories and black and white serials on which it was based. With the two main stars and director returning, expectations for the continuing story of Zorro where high and the good news is that is keeps up the very high standard that the revival set seven years earlier.

What the two Zorro movies have in common is they are both genuinely good entertainment. By again setting the story during an actual historical
event, California becoming part of the Union and country about to be split by civil war, Zorro has to save the state and usher in a new era. With the
heroic plot line set, we also see the problems that become apparent when you are a hero with a family. Continually saving the day and becoming a
legend to the people, Alejandro's family life is suffering. He hardly spends any time at home and his son Joaquin hardly even knows him. The
family storyline creates the fun and banter that made the first film so much fun.

It is the interaction and screen chemistry between Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones that pushes this movie beyond your average, run of the
mill action adventure. The bickering couple shine when the barrage of insults start as Elena moves on with her life. Both Banderas and Zeta-Jones
excel in their roles, with both of them very comfortable as the characters. They also excel in the fight sequences, especially in the brilliantly
choreographed sword fights. Newcomer Adrian Alonso is also good as Joaquin de la Vega, the son who worships Zorro, not knowing that he is his father. You can sometimes cringe at thought of having a child involved in an adventure movie but he is a likeable character and a good actor. Rufus
Sewell continues to play a decent villain and there is also some good support from Raúl Méndez as Alejandro's confidant Father Ferroq.

Also returning is Martin Campbell and he is becoming director who can handle both characters and action. It is in the action sequences were the
Zorro films excel. The sword fights again are brilliantly choreographed and extremely inventive. The same can be said of the other daredevil action
sequences that see Zorro fighting on bridges, rooftops and on a moving train. Campbell handles this extremely well but he also knows when he needs to slow the pace down and give characters time to push the plot along.

The Legend of Zorro is as much fun as The Mask of
Zorro. With more of the same, this is excellent entertainment that you can't help but enjoy. It
definitely makes a mark.

Jamie Kelwick

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