Mask of Zorro

The bar has been raised for action movies! I first got this movie thinking I would not like it. I was rapidly proven wrong. Mask of Zorro has everything, great direction, imaginative script, excellent cast and stunts like you wouldn't believe. The story starts with the last run of the first Zorro played by  Sir Anthony Hopkins. He is captured by his arch enemy and sent to rot in prison. Years later he escapes and plots his revenge. He finds a child that once helped him now grow to manhood played by Antonio Banderas who has a score to settle with the henchman of Zorro's enemy. Hopkins trains Banderas to be the new Zorro. Added into this plot is the grow child of Hopkins played by Catherine Zeta-Jones, raised by Zorro's enemy as his own daughter. The action starts at the very beginning of the film and carries on throughout. The stunts are great. I have been watching action movies for years and I was impressed. This movie reminds me of the classic Errol Flynn films of the forties.

The DVD is the way to go with this film. Letterbox is the only way to fully appreciate the many sword fights in this movie. This way you can see both fighters at the same time. The pan and scan version is pall by comparison. The video is clear and without any faults. The sound, WOW. The explosions, gunshots and even the whip comes alive. This movie will test your Dolby 5.1 speaker system to it's fullest. There are also some interesting added features to enjoy.

All in all, get this one if you want two hours of non-stop action, romance and drama. It has something in it for every member of the family.