Movie Review:

The Legend of Zorro

by Lynn B.

He’s baaaaack! Get ready for lots of action from that hot guy who makes the mark of the “Z”!

It’s 1850 and California is about to become the 31st state. Of course, some baddies have other ideas. Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones return as Don Alejandro de la Vega/Zorro and Elena de la Vega. Their son Joaquin (Adrian Alonso) worships Zorro, thinks his dad is a wimp and has no idea of his pop’s dual identity. Elena wants Alejandro to stop Zorro-ing around the countryside and pay more attention to their marriage and son. If fact, she’s so sick of it that she divorces him and gravitates toward old friend Armand, a rich, French winemaker (Rufus Sewell) who has just relocated to the area.

Of course all is not as it seems. While Zorro is dealing with jealousy and baddie thug Jacob McGivens (Nick Chinlund), Elena finds out that Armand isn’t really making wine but an early version of nitro-glycerin to sell to the South for the upcoming Civil War so he and his secret society cohorts can take over the U.S. and run things as a shadow government. Will the De la Vegas reunite? Will Armand be thwarted? Will lots of stuff blow up? What do you think?

It’s great to see Banderas and Zeta-Jones back in their roles and they seem just as feisty and well-matched as ever. This film is more family-friendly so you don’t see much or any blood and Zorro never actually puts his sword through anybody but he flips around (courtesy of some hot stunts and lots of special effects) like a super hero. Because the film is so PG, it lacks the true, believable danger of The Mask of Zorro. There are a lot more comic moments, including those featuring Tornado, Zorro’s horse who drinks, smokes and does everything but tap dance.

This is Zorro Light with an over-the-top Master of the World kind of plot that reminds me of the old “Wild Wild West” TV series or an early James Bond movie. Gone is the deep, troubled elegance of the Anthony Hopkins character or the consuming anger and mourning of Alejandro as he fought to control his emotions after the murder of his brother. But, is the film fun? Sure. Little Adrian Alonso is great as Zorro’s son who is quite the little swashbuckler and it’s nice to see that Elena has become even more of an adept swordswoman over the years, fighting beside her husband rather than needing to be rescued.

I still prefer the last Zorro film but this is one you can take all your pals to and even be convinced to drag along little sis or bro. Hey, Antonio still looks great in black and Catherine looks regal in all her cool costumes. What’s not to like? And, we’re all set up for the next sequel… in seven years… The Son of Zorro.

This movie is rated PG

Official Movie Web Site - The Legend of Zorro

Pictures courtesy of and copyright Columbia Pictures, 2005