When freedom is a memory and justice is outlawed, the just must become outlaws. The Mask of Zorro is one of the great rip-roaring adventures in ’90s cinema, packed with verve, action, humor and a scene-stealing Catherine Zeta-Jones. Anthony Hopkins plays Don Diego de la Vega, an aged Zorro escaped from prison, who must train a young thief (Antonio Banderas) in the ways of the sword to help seek retribution for those who have been wronged.
“The Mask of Zorro stands as a pointed riposte to those who say they don’t make ’em like that anymore.” – Todd McCarthy, Variety
“The Mask of Zorro has something you don’t often see in modern action pictures: a sense of honor. It also has a lot of zest, humor, energy and swordplay; it’s fun, and not an insult to the intelligence. The film is a display of traditional movie craftsmanship, especially at the level of the screenplay, which respects the characters and story and doesn’t simply use them for dialogue breaks between action sequences. It’s a reminder of the time when stunts and special effects were integrated into stories, rather than the other way around. And in giving full weight to the supporting characters and casting them with strong actors,The Mask of Zorro is involving as well as entertaining. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.” – Roger Ebert
