The first mainstream Hollywood picture to depict the legendary swordsman in quite some time, "The Mask of Zorro" is a throwback to filmmaking of yesteryear. No more can people complain that "they don't make 'em like they used to," for this exciting, high adventure swashbuckler is easily the most enjoyable and one of the best movies of 1998. Forget the leaping lizards and falling space debris -- this is the movie to see this summer.
Based on the character created by pulp novelist Johnston McCulley, Zorro first appeared on the big screen as portrayed by Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. in 1920's "The Mask of Zorro." Twenty years later Tyrone Power played the masked man who battled the villainous Basil Rathbone, while Guy Williams (from TV's "Lost in Space") played the legendary hero in the late 1950's on TV. Of course, many other versions have come along in the intervening years, featuring a wide range of actors playing Zorro, including Frank Langella, George Hamilton, and Clayton Moore (who later went on to fame as another masked hero, "The Lone Ranger").
Beyond Fairbanks, Errol Flynn also popularized the swashbuckler genre in films such as "Captain Blood" and "The Adventures of Robin Hood," and the "Three Musketeers" films briefly brought them back into vogue decades later. Since then, however, swashbucklers haven't done much -- remember "Cutthroat Island?" -- although "The Man In The Iron Mask" did okay, but mainly because of its post "Titanic" leading man.
This film should change all of that, although today's kids -- who've been weaned on high testosterone-laced, low I.Q. action films -- may initially believe the movie too "quaint" for their tastes. If they, and everyone else give it a chance, however, they'll find that it's as exciting as any of those other "action" films and of far better quality.
Besides the requisite swashbuckling scenes -- which are outstanding in their own right courtesy of consultant "sword master" Bob Anderson, and stunt coordinator Glenn Randall, Jr. and his fabulous team -- the picture succeeds on many levels.
For an action/adventure film, the script by John Eskow, Ted Elliot, & Terry Rossio -- while hardly an Oscar nominee -- is very good. Its multilayered plot, featuring dual revenge stories and the woman who connects the two Zorro's together, is quite compelling and complex for this sort of movie. Working from that script, director Martin Campbell (who also helmed the James Bond flick, "Goldeneye"), has delivered a nice combination of action and straight dramatic scenes, including some effective moments between Don Diego and his daughter, and more fun romantic ones between her and Alejandro.
In fact, it's those performances and the natural chemistry between the characters that really allows the movie to be as superbly entertaining as it is. As the elderly Zorro, Anthony Hopkins ("The Silence of the Lambs," "Nixon") is as good as ever, and it's a pleasure to behold him in a role that's mostly atypical for him (especially when he handles most of his sword and whip action).
The real standout, however, is Antonio Banderas. While he's progressively shown greater signs of brilliance in his roles (from the charisma oozing gunslinger in "Desperado" to his acclaimed performance in "Evita"), this one -- that fits him like a glove -- should put him on the "A" list of Hollywood actors. Deftly balancing physical stunts, self-deprecating humor, and again tons of charm, Banderas plays this role as if the character were written specifically with him in mind.
What makes him and his Zorro character particularly endearing is that he's not the "perfect" action hero. Things don't always go his way, and he's often made to be the butt of several slapstick style jokes. Yet he never gives up, and accordingly improvises a way to get himself out of his latest predicament, all of which makes the character an instant audience pleaser.
One of the film's additional pleasant surprises comes in the form of Catherine Zeta Jones in the role of Elena. Having paid her dues working mainly in British theater and TV, this ravishing beauty is ready for the big time and this film may just be the catalyst to get her there. Instead of simply playing the pretty face or the standard damsel in distress, Jones gives her character loads of spunk as well as complete confidence not only in her beauty, but also her ability to display her wit or physical prowess with a sword.
As the villains, Stuart Wilson ("The Rock," "Lethal Weapon 3") and Matt Letscher ("Gettysburg") are decent, but not outstanding. While Letscher's character isn't developed enough to allow him to do much more than play the stereotypical right-hand man, Wilson has been given enough leeway to make his an interesting character.
Even so, the overall weakness of the villains -- when compared with our dual heroes -- is one of the film's minor problems. While the swordplay/fighting between the good and bad guys is believable, we rarely or truly believe that Capt. Love will actually defeat Alejandro at any given moment. The rule of good drama usually dictates that the better (or stronger) the villain, the better the conflict. Had the filmmakers made the villains just a little more menacing, the film may have been a bit more exciting. That, however, is a very minor point and certainly doesn't distract from one's enjoyment of the proceedings.
A bigger objection involves Campbell's decision to occasionally shoot Jones with an extremely soft focus. While that effect was often used years ago to give women a softer look (or to hide wrinkles), it only serves to be a distraction in an otherwise technically flawless film. The first time it happens you'll think that the projector has lost its focus, but when shots of her are cut with razor sharp images of others, you'll realize, but certainly not understand, what they're doing. Beyond that, the film could have used a little editing (it runs about 2:15), but I'm hard pressed to pick out any particular scenes that should have hit the cutting room floor.
All of that, however, is just some minor nitpicking in an otherwise tremendously entertaining picture. Action fans will love all of the high adventure, and the film's many settings have been constructed to allow for maxim swordplay, as well as acrobatic maneuvers along flagpoles, roof tops, and scaffolding structures. For those who like characters more than action, the leads here are well-drawn creations who dabble in enough drama, romance, and humor to keep the quieter moments interesting.
With plenty of action and adventure, as well as humor and romance to please nearly every sort of moviegoer, this film deserves to be a big hit. Featuring charismatic performances and a rousing score from Oscar winning composer James Horner ("Titanic") -- that may just earn him another Oscar nomination -- this is an outstanding example of how summer "action" films should be made. We thoroughly enjoyed this fabulously entertaining picture and believe you will too. Accordingly, we give "The Mask Of Zorro" an 8.5 out of 10.
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