Rating: 
Summary: Swashbuckling Fun
Review: This Zorro is not the Disney version that was popular on TV many years ago, but a fresh look at the legend, with Anthony Hopkins beginning to live the legend, and followed by Antonio Banderas. Then there is Catherine Zeta Jones, the beauty (daughter of Hopkins) and Banderas falls in love with her, not knowing the background of her father who is in prison. And so it goes...a wonderful film with action, suspense, retribution with good versus evil, and a wonderful love story to boot. Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: A must see!
Review: Even if you're not a Zorro fan, you'll enjoy this. Very entertaining. Antonio Banderas makes a great Zorro. I didn't like Antony Hopkins that much (normally, I'm a fan), but he was not the main character so that's OK.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Argument For A Sword-Fighting Revival There Is
Review: A cracking two-hours of pure entertainment, this is a film worthy of watching again and again. If you were really hunting for criticisms, you might argue that it takes rather a long time for the real showdown between both Zorros and their respective arch-nemises to get going, but when it does it's well worth the wait, and in the interval there's plenty of delightfully funny and witty scenes between master and apprentice ... not to mention Banderas and Zeta-Jones providing enough on-screen electricity to light up Blackpool Illuminations. In short, this is an excellent and splendidly written film, cleverly adapted to California's history, with wonderful action sequences that prove you don't need to chop your enemies to pieces with your bare hands to provide excitement. Top performances from the cast all round - Hopkins typically brilliant, Zeta-Jones finally making her mark on the big time and Stuart Wilson providing a convicing but somehow pitiable bad guy, but two performances in particular deserve mentioning. Banderas' standard can be uneven, but he's first-rate here, gradually turning from a drunken bandit to a skillful swordsman, gentleman and champion of the people and getting the girl in the process. And number two: Matt Letscher's incredible turn as the thoroughly nasty, but cunning and sword-toting Captain Love. I think he did a cracking job and definitely deserves a special mention. Bring on the sequel!!
Rating:
Summary: Good rousing fun. This film packs quite a punch! Enjoy!
Review: Where to begin? To me this film delivers on many levels and is one of the best film versions of Zorro in the history of the character, if not THE best. For one the story is a little bit different than most. Instead of trying to restore his father to a political office, Zorro becomes a champion of the people, fighting to save the people of California from the schemes of a political tyrant. Personal revenge for a wrong committed is involved also, as well as one man's quest for a "new life". I have to touch on some things here. The photography here is brilliant. Done completely in Mexico the landscape is both lush and beautiful, vast and dramatic. At the same time it can be bleak and oppresive and appropriately gloomy. A great job was done. Also, James Horneer (of BraveHeart and Titanic fame) steps to the plate to give us a musical score that is full of tension, tenderness, and good rousing drama, adventure and fun. The music for the second dance number between Alejandro and Elena is an exquisite piece of music just by itself. The three leads, Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, and Catherine Zeta Jones absolutely shine here. The chemistry between Banderas and Zeta-Jones can be felt easily, as can that between Banderas and Hopkins in their student/master relationship. I love the fact that through Don Diego and his training, the young Murietta is given a new purpose in life and is offered a chance to become a "new man". There is a real sense of accomplishment, excitement, and fun as the two get ready to tempt their fates at the climax of the film and put wrong things right.
The script here is excellent, the dialogue sparkling with tension and wry humor (ie: Montero's discovery of Zorro's true identity and the ensuing fracas and mayhem, the confession booth sequence in the middle, and the contfrontation between Diego and Montero at the Montero hacienda late in the film.) There are funny moments a-plenty and also ones that are quite touching as well. Elena's realization of her heritage and reunion with Diego was brilliantly done and had everone in the theater going "Awww" when I saw this for the first time in a local cinema complex. The sword-fight between Alejandro and Elena struck the perfect balance between tension, action, and humor. In short this is a very grand and stylish film that brings back the spirit of the old swashbuckling adventure classics. It is a very touching and funny film at times. It is vastly entertaining and good fun for the whole family. I also love the fact that it had a very touching love story in it without gratuitous nudity, sex, or violence. Also to my memory there is not much bad language in this film, which makes for a QUITE REFRESHING CHANGE. The swordfights are very well done, but not too bloody. If you like good, rousing, fun films that are dramatic and tender at times too, you can't go wrong with this one. Kick back and enjoy it Peace, and God bless you.
Rating:
Summary: Lives the legend
Review: Or perhaps I should say, lives up to the legend. This version of Zorro is excellent, and besides the 50's TV series, is the best adaptation I've ever seen. It's a surprise considering so many "blockbuster" films are utterly disappointing. But not this one. "Mask of Zorro" sparkles. It tingles with a furious energy. This is entertainment at it's best, and don't see that as a bad thing. I think the last thing any of us would want is an overly "deep" or ponderous Zorro. On the contrary, this film flows like a tango and never stops. It's colorful, passionate, and unflinchingly displays Old California beautifully (and I must say, as a transplanted Californian, it's wonderful to see it so vibrantly and truthfully captured on screen, even if it's the 1800s, it still hasn't changed). But true to style, even since the first Tyrone Powers flick and the Guy Williams series, this film doesn't hesitate with throwing military and social injustice in your face and bombarding you with squeamishly violent or gruesome screen anecdotes. They like you to get the idea that Zorro needs to work very hard to save all those violently mistreated, maltreated, beaten down people (and what a makeup job they did on those extras). And as usual there's a power hungry tyrant (as was the norm politically back then all over North America), who is willing to make up an elaborate plot and step on as many people as necessary to get his way. Add a pretty lady, and Anthony Hopkins as the real Diego de la Vega which works beautifully in getting the audience to accept Banderas as a new Zorro. We've never seen a mature and graying Zorro before, played by Hopkins, so it's very easy to accept the apprentice, played by wonderfully by Banderas who charismatically does his duty in the role. Kudos to the great costuming, cinematography, choreography, and that fantastic score. Bottom line, if you see this movie, you'll probably really want to take fencing and salsa lessons when you're through with it.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and fun to watch.
Review: This is worth buying just for the sword fight between the leading man and leading lady. The interplay between the new Zorro and his mentor is also very good. Anthony Hopkins is terrific as usual. The grandiose finale is okay, but the real enjoyment comes from the quieter moments of the film.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST HAVE FOR EVERY COLLECTION
Review: When testing a system, this is one to carry along. When I got my home theater I put this DVD in first. The sound is incredible and that was the first time I felt like I was in the movie theater. Awesome story, beautiful heroine, evil villain, and great sword fighting make this one of the best DVDs available. Some scenes might be a bit much for little kids (like a human head in a big jar) but teenagers and parents will enjoy this together. Would be 5 stars if it was anamorphic, but now that the special edition is out, I'll have to upgrade. I've learned my lesson and only buy special editions now, or at least movies with anamorphic transfers.
Rating:
Summary: Spectecular Action and Stunts, and Funny At Times
Review: Awesome! This movie is one of the best action/stunt movies I've seen. With lots of plots and turns and twists and still very moving. Catherine Zeta-Jones gives a dazzling performance as daughter of the governor. Trust me, you won't regret watching this one.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Zorro masterpiece
Review: Up until a few minutes ago, I only thought about the action in this film, but after thinking about it and listening to the closing song, I have changed my opinion. Even the most cruel of people will find this film touching, a heart-touching and heart-breaking story of love, courage, and revenge. Love and revenge are explored here more than any other Zorro story, and while the Tyrone Power version is the best Zorro film, this film is the one that will touch your heart most.
Many years after Diego de la Vega (Anthony Hopkins) became Zorro, the masked defender of freedom and justice in Los Angeles, he has become the defender of all of California, battling against the evil govenor, Montero (Stuart Wilson). Zorro makes his final fight at Montero's hacienda, aided by two young orphans. Montero learns of Diego's secret life as Zorro, and in the fray, Diego's wife is killed. Arrested for life, Diego sees his hacienda burned and learns that Montero has stolen his little child, Elena de la Vega. Beaten, having lost everything he loved, Diego swears that he will claim his revenge.
After twenty years, California becomes a colony of Mexico. The young orphans who aided Zorro, the Murieta brothers, work with Three-Fingered Jack to attack the still cruel military. Captain Harrison Love (Matt Letscher) kills the elder brother, taking away from Alejandro Murieta (Antonio Banderas) everything that he ever loved. Meanwhile, Diego has escaped prison, but cannot kill Montero. His daughter, Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones) believe Montero to be her father. Alejandro meets Diego, who has not forgotten his aid. He offers to train Alejandro to trade revenge for a sense of justice, to become Zorro. He makes plans to save California with the young bandit, who agrees excitedly. However, at the same time, both men make plans to take revenge on their sworn enemies. Alejandro becomes smitten with Elena, who moves closer to her truth.
This film has two pieces of revenge: robbing one's child and bringing her up as your own, and killing one man's beloved sibling. This film is excellent in any sense, and is sure to be a classic twenty years from now, right up their with Tyrone Power's version. This film has wonderful quotes.
Elena(To Alejandro): I dishonered my father (Montero).
Alejandro: That is not so bad. Maybe your father deserved it. Diego (To Montero): Rafael! You'll never be rid of me! Montero (To Love): What I'm saying, captian, is that I think that my horse could run this army better than you! Montero: Who are you?
Diego: I warned you long ago Rafael...you will never be rid of me.
Montero: De la Vega.
Rating:
Summary: The Mask Of Zorro!
Review: Martin Campbell's lively, high-spirited swashbuckling adventure is one of the best sword-swinging action films ever! Antonio Banderas is the title character, swinging swords and one-liners to great effect and carving Zs everywhere! The film starts with Anthony Hopkins as the legendary yet ageing hero Zorro/Don Diego de la Vega, who is captured by his nemesis Don Rafael Montero (Stuart Wilson), who kills his wife Esperanza de la Vega and takes away his daughter. Several years later, Diego meets Alejandro Murrieta (Banderas) and Don Diego trains Alejamdro to become to the new Zorro. The film's exuberance makes for an exciting action adventure with some great humour and witty lines. Hopkins is brilliant (as usual) as Zorro, and Banderas is perfect for the part of the new Zorro. Catherine Zeta- Jones is suitably sexy as Elena Montero, Don Diego's daughter. The action, stunts, heroics and score are all done wonderfully, and the added humour is really great. Action at it's best.
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