The Mask of Zorro

Rating:
Summary: Douglas Fairbanks would have loved it!
Review: I love old silent films and Doug Fairbanks 1920 version of MASK OF ZORRO is one of the classics. Tyrone Power was fine in 1940 but Banderas has finally done the definitive ZORRO! This one has all the best elements of the classic Hollywood swashbucklers and does justice to the character of Zorro while believeably suggesting a continuation of the legend.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Disc
Review: The Film: From My Orginal Review in July 1998; The Mask Of Zorro

Grandly entertaining throughout. In this new adventure, Anthony Hopkins plays the original masked avenger, only to be caught and imprisoned for 20 years. When he breaks free, he finds yet another to don the mask against an evil tyrant planning to take over California. Director Martin Cambell last helmed "Goldeneye", the 1995 James Bond film, and he brings a lot of the same style and feel to this, somewhat of a period actioner. The cinematography is top notch, and the sets are wonderful. This is a tight, crisp film that is not only incredibly funny at times, but a wonderful action film thats thankfully something new. The swashbuckler isn't really something we haven't seen before, but to see it done this grandly, acted this well, it's simply a relief after a Summer of dodging asteroids and feeling like you've spent six days and seven nights in the theater. This film works on nearly all levels. Deftly balancing hilarious, goofy humor(who new Banderas could do comedy....well?) and fantastic swordfighting, the film is pure fun. Great villians, great actors and chemistry. Catherine Zeta Jones stars as the long lost child of the first Zorro, and the love of the new one. Although I began to get annoyed with the cartoonishly soft focus the filmmakers used on her, she works sublimely with a sword, and she gives her character strong personality and character. So does everyone here. Banderas convinces me here that he actually can act, and Hopkins is excellent. Originally concieved as a project for director Robert Rodriquez("Desperado") I would have liked to have seen a darker story as well, but I was more than satisfied with this version. The only problem with the film is that it's simply a bit too long. Zorro's sword could have been used well in the editing room. At nearly 2 hours and 20 minutes, the film could have used about 15 to 20 minutes chopped off. The dialogue here works better than any of the recent Summer films. A jousting match of it's own, the film has enough one-liners with a balance of smart dialogue between the two Zorros to lift the film throughout it's quieter points. More fun than the last few Bond films, this is wildly entertaining Hollywood, smart, funny, and although it runs a little long, it's certainly one of the year's best films.

The DVD: Picture: Columbia/Tristar has done an absolutely outstanding job on the DVD of "The Mask Of Zorro". Colors are warm, sharp, and, my favorite descriptive word, "electric". The disc contains no mastering flaws that I saw on my first viewing; I compare good discs like this to a great meal; it's absolutely a feast for the senses. If you thought Columbia/Tristar did a fantastic job on "Godzilla" in terms of picture quality, they've topped that job here; the reds on the soldiers uniforms, the black cape of Zorro; it's all rendered absolutely stunning in color on this disc.

Audio: Really beautifully done; swordfights have never sounded this good(and they haven't been done this well in a long time). The flamenco music sounds absolutely wonderful(especially the opening credits piece) and the shouting of the crowds in some scenes seem to surround you; the disc is not only a feast for the eyes but for the ears as well.

Extras: A small "Making Of..." documentary, picture gallery, trailer.

Overall: "Zorro" is absolutely a phenomenal disc; the best picture quality I've seen since "The Horse Whisperer"(unfortunately wasn't 16x9) or "Godzilla". It's actually better than both of those examples. "The Mask Of Zorro" is a combination of fantastic movie and fantastically well done disc. I absolutely recommend it and would say that it's a "must-have" for anyone's collection.

Grades: Sound:**** Picture:**** Extras:*** Film:*** 1/2

Overall Grade:****

A. Webmaster, A Guide To Current Film

Rating:
Summary: Best of the year!!
Review: "Mask of Zorro" was quite possibly the best movie of the summer. I only saw one movie several times, and this was it. Hopkins and Zeta-Jones appeal to men, while Banderas brings in the female audience. The whole darned movie caters to viewers of any age and gender. This movie has something for everyone. If only all movies were this great!!

Rating:
Summary: Banderas was born to be Zorro!
Review: This is two hours of pure fun and swashbuckling entertainment! Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins are wonderfully paired in this film. The action scenes involve swords and very little gunplay but the action is cool and slick and there are feats of physical stunts which are thrilling. This is the best summer film of 1998 and in my opinion,the best action film of the year.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing picture quality and sound
Review: Mask of Zorro is a work of art. This movie when presented in the Component Video Output provides unbelievable picture quality. This movie is in a league of its own in its clarity. There is absolutely no visible distortion in this picture. The sound is also state of the art. The 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound gives the listener an amazing 3-D environment. The clarity and surround sound effects of the swordplay is a pleasure to listen to. This ranks up near the top of all DVD's. I can't wait for more releases from Amblin Entertainment! This movie gets my highest recommendation.

Rating:
Summary: Hot!Hot!Hot! Hopkins and Banderas slice up the screen!
Review: A great example of good triumphing over evil, of the virtue of hard work and perseverance and discipline! I have 5 sons, and I let them see this as an inspirational lesson of character and virtue. The acting was superior, the female lead was lovely, the action sequences were spectacular, although a lot of things did blow up at the end.] The sword fighting scene between the two romantic leads showed a little too much skin for young boys, but besides that I give it a strong recommendation! En Garde!

Rating:
Summary: This movie is wonderful - it has a bit of everything!
Review: What a great movie - no swash is left unbuckled! Isn't it nice that there is finally an action-adventure not involving natural disasters or terrorists? The actors and actresses, the costumes, the stunts, and the wonderul stallion combine to create the best movie of the summer!

Rating:
Summary: A welcome relief from the typical summer box office hit
Review: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Antonio Banderas, and Anthony Hopkins are a most welcome group of actors in a genre too dependent on special effects. With Zeta-jones' good looks (hard to believe that she isn't hispanic), Hopkins' great acting, and Banderas' style, Zorro brings to the screen what many summer movies lack -- true substance. While the movie is "overdone," it is a fantastic throwback to Hollywood's better era.

Rating:
Summary: Fun is always good, and this film is the best kind of fun!
Review: I had an absolutely great time at The Mask of Zorro- okay, maybe a couple of great times:) In any case, it's been a long time since I came away from a movie feeling this genuinely satisfied. Normally I'm not into the whole genre of hero-goes-in-and-carves-up-the-bad-guys, but I loved this. True chivalry, adventure, love, and excitement win with me every time.

Rating:
Summary: Identificable con almas rebeldes y aventureras
Review: Después de Guy Williams, es la mejor representación que he visto del hombre de la máscara negra y la "z" como insignia. La historia es sensacional: Un "zorro" que ya viejo (Anthony Hopkins) transmite su sabiduría y habilidad a un joven ladrón (Antonio Banderas), para que, casualmente, ambos puedan realizar una venganza personal y compartida: la -siempre reutilizable-muerte de un ser querido. Añadamos a la trama, el robo de la hija del antiguo zorro, por parte de su peor enemigo A diferencia de otras versiones, en esta no todo es de color de rosa para los héroes de la película, quienes ante la adversidad, tienen que tomar sabias y duras decisiones, sin importar las consecuencias. Me encanta la elegancia y sabiduría del personaje de Antony Hopkins; la astucia, sagacidad y rebeldía del de Antonio Banderas, y la seguridad y autosuficienciade del de Katherine Z Jones (La hija de Don Diego De la Vega -Hopkins-). Las escenas de persecusiones y combates con espadas son mis favoritas; comparables con las que aparecen en la película "The princes bride". Definitivamente, es una película entretenida de principio a fin para aquellos que tenemos un alma rebelde y un corazón aventurero.