Rating: 
Summary: When Glory, Tragedy, and Destiny Collide
Review: "The Mask of Zorro" is a well-written, old-fashioned swashbuckler, filled with glorious scenes of Mexico, the passionate and romantic music of James Horner , and a marvelous tale about love, loss, redemption, and retribution.
Don Diego De La Vega, so aptly, and elegantly played by Anthony Hopkins, is Zorro, a nobleman who disguises himself in order to fight for justice on behalf of the peasants of California.
On the last day of the tyrannical Don Rafael Montero's tenure as Governor, Zorro appears before the wondering eyes of the two orphaned Murrieta Brothers, Joaquin and Alejandro, as well as a crowd of peasantry to fight one last battle on behalf of the wrongfully condemned before the Dons leave for Spain.
Little does the benevolent Don Diego realize that he is enjoying the last hours of a tranquil home life with his beautiful wife and infant daughter; for his identity is discovered, and along with his soldiers, Don Rafael ( played by a devious Stuart Wilson, who always makes a great onscreen villian), comes to arrest De La Vega. De La Vega's wife, Esperanza (played with joyous and affectionate solemnity by Julia Rosen) who was once courted by Don Rafael, is killed by a soldier while pleading for her husband. The De La Vega's crying infant, Elena, is kidnapped by Montero, the mansion looted and burned, and the unfortunate De La Vega condemned to wallow in the filth of a prison for 20 years.
The story picks up in 1841 with the Murrieta Brothers now wanted bandits working with fellow outlaw, Three-Fingered Jack, played by L.Q. Jones, who has a crafty turn of phrase every so often. A confrontation with the U.S. Cavalry, led by a stiff-haired Aryan Ken Doll of an officer, ironically named Captain Love (Matt Letscher), results in the death of Joaquin Murrieta and his brother's quest for vengeance.
When Montero returns to California and visits the prison to see if his old adversary is still alive, De La Vega realizes that the time for vegeance has come and escapes. The only thing that prevents his immediate revenge is the appearance of his long-lost daughter, played by a stunningly beautiful and spunky Catherine Zeta-Jones.
A chance reunion with Alejandro in a tavern gives De La Vega the means for settling old scores.As Alejandro, Antonio Banderas runs the gamut of emotions from haggard, belligerent, and grief-stricken to snide, playful, funny, diplomatic, and clever.Despite some faux pas, he soon proves himself worthy to inherit the mask of Zorro.
Disguised as Alejandro's valet, De La Vega has poignant moments of grace as he views the stolen painting of his wife, viewing his firey daughter dancing at a party and being the only one in the room who knows her true identity,her confiding her feelings about Don Alejandro to him without knowing his true identity, and her final acknowledgement of her past. We feel that Elena was meant to return to her birthplace to learn the truth and help remedy the injustices of her abductor. She lends herself beautifully to the task.The most sensuous scenes are of her alternately dancing with Don Alejandro and sparring with Zorro.
Audiences can cheer the finale where justice is served. Generally, I would recommend this intensely spectacular film because it is simply one of the most beautiful and intelligent morality tales to have ever blazed across the screen.
Rating:
Summary: Behind the Times, Thank Goodness!
Review: I'm a little behind the times. I've just seen this five year old film on DVD for the first time! This film also is behind the times and thank goodness it is. It brings back many good things about the great action-adventure films of Hollywood's Golden Age without trashing up the film just for sensationalism. This film has too much class to be sensational! There's no foul language or nudity, so I could enjoy it with my 12 year old son. He was enthralled. This movie has tons of action, romance and a large portion of emotion. In short, an escape from the usual action fare. It is easy to get involved in the plot and characters. I would not have believed that Anthony Hopkins who plays Zorro would be so "right" for the role. If I was doing the casting I might have looked elsewhere. I guess that's why I'm not a casting director because Mr. Hopkins is absolutely perfect in this role. Sometimes looks are deceiving in real life too. The stunt work is as spectacular as it could be in a Zorro film. The extra special features on the DVD are great. If you are looking for an action adventure film with a little romance thrown in that the entire family will enjoy, this is your film and it is certainly worth owning. I rented it but now I'm buying it because we all want to see it again! Special mention must be made of the excellent score, truly a work of art in itself. I would like to own the score on CD to play in my car. This is without a doubt the best Zorro movie I've ever seen, or likely to see. I don't think this one can be topped. I give it 5 stars because it is one of the two best films I've seen in the past year.
Rating:
Summary: An awesome movie
Review: The Mask of Zorro is a superb action movie. It's a great tail to introduce Zorro to a younger generation. It's the first film to actually have a hispanic play the role. It's the first blockbuster hit for one of the most beautiful woman in the world. The Mask of Zorro tells the tail of Diego. A man that was Zorro who is imprisoned for 20 years. He gets out of jail and finds a young man Alejandro who is also out for revenge. Diego trains him and teaches him out to fight. It's then that Alejandro and Diego go and get there revenge against the men who hurt them. Antonio Banderas(Alejandro) is awesome. This is the best movie he has ever done. He plays Zorro to perfection. He puts the Spanish Rico Suave swagger on stage. You fall in love with the character. He does such a great job. Anthony Hopkins(Diego)is awesome too. It's one of his best roles ever. I like seeing him play a sane good guy. Hopkins is one of the best actors of the last 25 years. Diego is a good character and I don't think anybody buy Hopkins could have pulled him off. Catherine Zeta Jones is hot in this movie. She is such a beautiful woman. She's one of those flawless ladies that you could stare and admire all day. She plays Elana well and leaves every male jealous of Banderas. If your a guy you can watch the movie for her alone. I have to give personal thanks to the producer Steven Spielberg for discovering her and casting her. I love the swordplay in the movie. It's great to see a film that doesn't rely on CGI and other special effects. All the swordplay is done well with great choreography. You could watch the movie for that alone. I love the score that James Horner wrote for the film. He is one of the best in the business. The score accents the movie so well. I love the spansih trumpets. This score really got screwed at the Oscars. The love theme is a beautiful song as well. I love this film. It's the best swashbuckling film since the 30's and 40's and could be argued as the best ever. Everybody should see this movie. It's a great tail of love and revenge that will leave you entertained and breathless. You'll love it. I've never heard of anybody that didn't.
Rating:
Summary: Neat-o
Review: This movie is super fantastic! I thought it was going to be a serious movie but it had a lot of wit in it. This movie has a spectacular cast. Anthony Hopkins is great in every role he plays. This just proves that he doesn't only have the persona as a cannibal. Antonio Banderas was the perfect men to play the part of the new Zorro. Not only was he smashing he portrayed a great hero. Catherin Zita Jones was just beautiful. Yeah, this is chock full of violence, love and humor. It is one of my favorites.
Rating: 
Summary: madamx
Review: it`s beautifull movie and i`m looking to find it. it had good actor and editor.
Rating:
Summary: Old-Style Hollywood Rollicking Adventure
Review: Great stunts, super swordfights, a nasty villain and a hero you really care about. This is grand movie-making of the old school but with today's technology. Catherine Zeta Jones looks gorgeous and I can just see that creepy Michael Douglas watching this movie (and "Entrapment") hatching his evil plans. Of course she married the guy and turned into a complete "look-at-me-I'm-wonderful" priss, but that's another story. Antonio Banderas is good as Zorro but if only he didn't pout. I hate it when he pouts. Sir Anthony Hopkins, as the aging original Zorro, is.... as always... SUPERB! Highly recommended. I'm glad I bought this.
Rating:
Summary: M for Murrieta
Review: Antonio Bandaras, as Alejandro Murrieta, does very well in this adventure tale of the Mexican hero Zorro. Supporting roles from Anthony Hopkins, Don Diego de la Vega and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Elena Montero, are superb. A story of adventure, sacrifice, and revenge make a delightful movie that harkens back to swashbuckling Errol Flynn movies.
Bandaras as the protege to Zorro his mentor, Anthony Hopkins, does the best acting I have seen him do to date. He carries off being a dirty bandit/rogue/aristocrat/hero very well. Great support from Stuart Wilson as the evil Don Rafael Montero and Matt Letscher as Captain Harrison Love his brutal henchman. A good deal of comedy keeps the story from being to dark. This is one the whole family will sit down to watch. The superbit picture is extremely sharp and the sound is first class. The additional disc contains many extras. This is a great addition to any video library.
Rating:
Summary: Zorro RULES!!!
Review: Yesterday i first saw this fabulous movie. And i think it's great!!The whole idea of one man - Zorro - who is a hero not because of some weird superpower, but because of his fighting scills, and of his charm, is absolutely NOT what you see in Hulks, Spidermans, and all those movies. I don't want to write a whole poem about it, but Zorro is the BEST!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Fairbanks Would Approve
Review: Anthony Hopkins is the real Zorro and Antonio Banderas is the young bandit he grooms to take his place and to fight against the Don responsible for the death of his wife and the taking of his daughter. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Hopkin's daughter who has been raised as the Don's child. The three stars are all excellent, bringing both their dramatic capacities and a comic touch to each character. The story is engaging, with amusing dialogue and interplay between the leads. The action is well staged and punches up the story. All in all, it's great entertainment and a well made film. I suspect Douglas Fairbanks and Tyrone Power would have approved!
Rating:
Summary: Loved It
Review: I really enjpyed this movie! It wasnt a chick flick but it had enough romance to keep us women interested. It was a great action packed movie with tons of great DVD extras
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