‘THE MASK OF ZORRO’: ONE OF THE FUN & CLASSIC 90S ACTION MOVIES

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Combining more than one storyline but in a fun way, this 1998 adaptation of The Mask of Zorro is, I think, widely considered a favorite.

The Mask of Zorro (1998)

Under the leadership of wealthy Spanish men who have little care about or for them, the people of California have only their spirit. Led with a thirst for vengeance, Don Rafael Montero (Stuart Wilson) sets elaborate traps where ordinary citizens become victims so that he may capture and kill the bandit known as Zorro. The only man to care about the people and their plights he’s often helping them. On this day, Zorro encounters a snag or two, but returns home to his wife and infant daughter relatively unscathed where he lives as Don Diego de la Vega (Anthony Hopkins). His bliss is short when Juan finds his home and takes everything from him.

Some twenty years later, Alejandro (Antonio Banderas), an unpolished but wanted bandit, watches as his brother dies at the hand of a cruel soldier. When he meets again with his once childhood hero Zorro, Alejandro and Vega both have reason to want revenge, and both have plans to take it.

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I cannot remember the first time I would have seen this but do know it’s been many (many) years since I’ve watched the film. When it popped up on a streaming service, I decided to watch it and see if it was quite as I remembered. Turns out, it’s not. Honestly, while there is plenty of adventure that leans into being campy with its styling, The Mask of Zorro is pretty good. You have the right plot to set up a story of good vs evil and a cast that is rather fun to watch engage with each other and play off of one another.

Not only is Antonio and Anthony among them, there is also Matt Letscher and Catherine Zeta-Jones. A solid lineup that makes the movie watching experience more fun. The entire atmosphere is good and I like the fact that this is a period drama that feels more like its era than some movies. What’s even more fun about this is that it’s a cool combination of The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers.

There’s cool swashbuckler scenes and I love the whole “infiltrate” your enemy plot. Antonio plays this part well and it’s fun to watch the banter between him and the leading lady. Dated in some ways, The Mask of Zorro is just a good time that is nearly impossible not to enjoy.

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Content: a PG-13 rating includes some minor innuendo. There’s a “seductive” dance sequence and later, a sword fight that turns sensual; the sword “slices” her clothing and she ends up in her undergarments. There’s violence and we see a severed head in a jar. Off scree, someone chops off body parts, and there’s several sword uses. There may be some profanity.

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