Sony Pictures | 1998 | 136 mins. | Rated PG-13
Zorro, the fictional hero created in 1919 by pulp writer Johnston McCulley has been featured in numerous books, films, television series and other media. Fans of 1950’s television may claim that Disney’s Zorro is the best—after watching Zorro: Season’s One and Two on DVD, I’m inclined to agree. However, in The Mask of Zorro, Antonio Banderas does a good job playing up the more humorous side of the legendary character, while maintaining the heroic quality Zorro fans expect. Director Martin Campbell (Casino Royale), had a real feel for the material, as everything from the performances, sets, scripts costumes, etc, came together to create the best movie about the Spanish Swashbuckler to date.
The Mask of Zorro begins in early 19th century California, just as Spain concedes the territory to Mexican general Santa Ana. Don Diego de la Vega (Anthony Hopkins), who moonlights as Zorro, the crusading hero of the people, is unmasked and brought down by his enemy, the ruthless Don Rafael Montero (Stuart Wilson) – Montero burns down de la Vega’s house, accidentally murders his wife and kidnaps de la Vega’s daughter, Elena, to raise as his own.
Twenty years later, Diego escapes from prison and seeks vengeance on his nemesis, his assassination attempt halted only when his rightful daughter, Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones), arrives by Montero’s side as his own daughter. Later, Diego meets young Alejandro Murrieta (Antonio Banderas,), a depressed and drunk shell of a man, man mourning the loss of his brother who recently died at the hands of Montero’s most trusted underling, Captain Harrison Love (Matt Letscher). Diego recognizes an older Alejandro as one of two brothers who aided him in his last victory over Montero twenty years earlier, and takes him in as an apprentice to succeed him as Zorro.
The Mask of Zorro can only be described as pure fun. Martin Campbell infuses lots of swordplay with a dose of undeniable sex appeal. In one of the most memorable scenes, the Zorro-in-training (Banderas) fights his teacher’s daughter (Zeta-Jones). With kissing in-between swashes and a swordplay zip-tease that exposes a little skin here, and a lot of skin there, it’s great fun to watch. Banderas and Zeta-Jones not only have terrific chemistry, but they each play to the cameras as if they were lovers.
While there’s no denying that the story itself is all too predictable, screenwriters John Eskhow, Ted Elliott, and Terry Rossio make up for it with a very strong script filled with quick and witty dialogue. The film is also help by strong performances from all the principal actors, who appear as though they had a ball making the film. It’s easy to see why The Mask of Zorro was Catherine Zeta-Jones’ break-out role—the beautiful woman caught between the hero and the villain, she is perfectly cast. She has to decide who she trusts and who she loves; she plays the damsel in distress very convincingly. And Anthony Hopkins? He does a brilliant job as the aging hero passing the torch to a younger man.
The Mask of Zorro rides onto Blu-ray with a solid 1080p, 2.40:1-framed transfer. The transfer delivers great detail throughout; the opening action sequence sees a large crowd gathered in protest of Don Rafael Montero, and several overhead and distance shots allow viewers to note every tear in their garments and smudges of dirt on their faces throughout the frame. Colors are vibrant but not overbearing. Several times the image goes a bit soft and murky, but this is the exception to the rule. Black levels do not revert to a shade of gray or drown out fine details, and flesh tones are never problematic. Covered by a thin veneer of film grain and without evidence of any excessive digital manipulation, The Mask of Zorro marks another strong transfer from Sony.
The Mask of Zorro comes to Blu-ray with an impressive DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The opening sequence provides listeners with a rich and full surround sound extravaganza. A raucous crowd cheers and chants, music swells and spills into the room from all around, clanking swords attack with a distinct clarity, and gunshots pound through and reverberate about the soundstage to wonderful effect. Such active, immersive, and clear effects remain, evident in each action piece throughout the film. Dialogue is front-and-center and delivered with absolute clarity.
Subtitles are in English, English SDH, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
The bonus features are a repeat of the 2005 DVD release, with only movieIQ trivia track (for Profile 2.0 Internet-connected players) added.
• Audio Commentary with Director Martin Campbell: Campbell discusses several aspects of making the film, including casting, shooting locations, set design, anecdotes from the set, characterization, choreography, and more.
• Unmasking Zorro (480p, 45:05) is an extensive piece about the making of the film. Not only do we see how this film was made, but we also learn the history behind the character in print and on screen. The piece also examines the strengths of the cast and crew, the actors’ preparations for their parts, the shooting of particular scenes, and the style of the film, the storyboarding process and its importance to the film, James Horner’s score, and more.
• Two Deleted Scenes (480p, 4:50)
• Music Video (480p, 4:51) “I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You” sung by Marc Anthony and Tina Arena.
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