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The Mask Of Zorro (1998)
Rating: 7
Dir: Martin Campbell
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Main Players: Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Story: Masked hero saves the peasants from the evil governor of the land and gets the girl, who happens to be the governor's daughter, but she's really Zorro's daughter (the original Zorro); and this new Zorro has his own score to settle.
Comment: This could have been a really average movie. This could have been a really bad movie. Even with Hopkins and Banderas, I was prepared for that possibility. But then, Zeta-Jones came onto the screen and I just went along for the ride. And what a ride ...
Sword-fights, comedy, great acrobatics, dancing, one-liners, James Horner with a score to show off, a legendary actor, and another with charm oozing out of every pore and a devastatingly beautiful leading lady. WHAT COULD GO WRONG ? Almost nothing.
Other than the fact that it felt like a really cheap movie with perhaps the most horrendous title song as the love theme, nothing at all.
The first thing that strikes you about this movie is the fact that it does not try to be realistic. Therein lies its strength. It reminded me of the classic Burt Lancaster movie "The Flame and The Arrow" (1950); all fun and no pretensions. Like that movie, there is a tragedy here also; but because there are, in fact two, yes two (2), Zorros, two tragedies are needed: the death of wife by accident - somewhat, and the cold-blooded murder of a brother. Other similarities include the swing from chandeliers, one man against, oh, about a garrison of the most out-of-shape soldiers, some great acrobatics, and a really satisfying finale.
If I'm forced to highlight the failings of this movie, then I would include these elements: Clichéd situations, simple characters, and a really bad love theme - yes, I really hate the song 'I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You' - not only does it NOT have the movie's flavour, its title is too long, the singers lifeless and ... oh it's simply BAD.
If you can overlook this (you will), then you'll be in for a great time. This is what the cinema is supposed to be: Fun, for the family and satisfying. Beautiful people on the big screen making us dream ... making us want to be there with them.
Conclusion: For a fun time with the family, WATCH THIS.
Desperado (7) - Antonio Banderas (1995)
Silence of The Lambs (6 1/2) - Anthony Hopkins (1991)