Don Diego: "Do you know how to use that thing?" Alejandro: "Yes. The pointy end goes into the other man." Don Diego: (sighs) "This is going to take a lot of work." Pure diologue gold.
The scene where he jumps from the roof and the horse just fucks off out of the way is one of the most hilarious pieces of physical humour i've ever seen. This is indeed a movie with everything in the right proportion.
He actually broke his foot on that shot. I spoke with him while filming another movie and he told me about it. The leg injury was getting in the way of shooting some action scenes
Almost every scene was beautifully shot and iconic even. Even the opening intro was a wall of text/exposition dump, which I usually HATE, and THAT was beautiful as well!.
There's a great interview with Catherine Zeta-Jones where she was asked if this movie should be cancelled due to the scene where Zorro kisses her without permission and cuts her dress off at the end of the flirt/fight. To which she responded: "I hope not. I think we'll look back at this time like 'remember that time when women lost their minds'?" It's a great interview and I love her and the movie even more than I already did!
@@christiankrueger2330 Portland is fine, they only go after far-right lgbt asians who write unfavorable stories about them, and that's a good thing. Stop with all the fear-mongering.
Hey she's talking sense, a few years from now we'll probably look back on all this cancel culture nonsense and collectively ask what the fuck were people on.
So much this. Wasn't much of anything ACTUALLY funny in this movie, but the some of the slapstick physicality and, as you said, the delivery, is spot on.
Antonio even pulled off an analog special effect when he draws his sword for the final duel with Capt. Love, he angles the blade just so, and directs the sunlight into the camera for a very satisfying lens flare that is just right. So cool.
@@subarnosinha4260 Three! That's all? I seem to recall hearing that he was warned he would not get another attempt because of time. The last one did it, I guess. Very cool just the same.
Maybe it's just me. But despite all the flak the Victorian(?) Era gets, you put a hot, busty woman in a corset? They get dialed up from a 9 to an 11! I mean, to be fair, 100% of the point of the corset is to emphasize the feminine form!
“Mixed with a little bit of Bruce Wayne” It’s funny because Mask of Zorro was one of the inspirations for Batman. Damn even in the theater where his parents die he was watching Mask of Zorro
Another fun facts it that the relationships that Don Diego and Alejandro has, it similar to the relationship that Bruce Wayne and Terry McGinnis has in Batman beyond
@@ghosturiel Maybe in the animated series, it's the Grey Ghost. But in the Frank Miller comics, it's Zorro. (While in "Batman Begins", its "Die Fledermaus".) It's all good.
An amazing moment: At the bar, Zorro (Hopkins) asks the angry brother (Banderas) his name. "Alejandro" he answers. "Alejandro" sighs Hopkins, while looking inside his head for memories of old: Don Alejandro de la Vega was his father's name. Killer script, killer delivery.
Could not agree more! Even if there was nothing else going on in the film, watching the growing feud between Edmond and Fernand is enthralling enough. But everything in that one is solid.
The scene where she is walking down the city street while people are making barrels, loading carts, saddling horses and whatever is pure fantasy. In that day and age, as now, a woman like that would bring all male activity to a standstill.
I'm so very tempted to tie a DVD of this movie to a rock, attach a note saying 'you don't need to humilate the mentor to make the student look good by comparison' and chuck it through Rian Johnson's window.
the scene where elena and don deigo meet in the stable and she talks about her mother, he his daughter... hopkins' facial expressions just reacting to zeta jones - such a magnificent actor, absolute legend.
The scene when he cuts Catherine Zeta-Jones' dress. He cuts it off without cutting her hair. Wow. They won't let you do that anymore! Nor the tango sequence!
@@minarchist1776 Beyond Hollywood magic, with only the very tip of the rapier being sharp and her hair being only attached at one end versus the double ended of her clothing straps, you could say the blade pushed her hair aside while cutting the straps. But we know the truth.
Alejandro and Elena's fight is one of my favorite sword fights ever. They're both competent fighters, both have moments of both being in control and on the defensive, the choreography was great, the flirty banter was adorable and sensual. Seeing a fight between a man and a woman where both are shown to be strong without demeaning the other? Where they both score hits on the other and control the fight? Where they come across as equals not because of contrivance, but because they just are?! Wow, this movie IS old.
Age is relative though. This is a newer movie when you compare it to an old classic such as The Maltese Falcon. As we age, you will find that the older stuff, no matter the subject, is usually better.
He was obviously holding back though, they weren't really equals, he was flirting the whole time. If they made it today, she would be better than him and humiliate him. He'd try to flirt and she'd beat him down to send a strong message: "flirting is NOT okay, men and women should NOT be romantic with each other EVER. Romance is creepy and disgusting!"
@@sup9542 He’s a gentleman. He does not deny her challenge but he won’t harm her either. When you see the glowing look on her face, you realize it was a love scene of sorts, not unlike Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers roller skating dance sequence where he offers her a cigarette at the end.
Interesting where this film came about in time. In an era where the film market was steadily beginning to see the use of computer graphics as the next big thing and set pieces were slowly being consumed by it, Zoro came about and helped remind audiences the greatness of seeing practicality and stunt work take center stage again. I appreciate it for that.
@@cortedemico There was digital compositing throughout the film but it was in service of the story rather than about being flashy, like it was for most 90's movies.
This is one of my favorite movies of all time. To rehash what Drinker said, *everything* works beautifully. The aging mentor and the young protogee have clear motivations, the training montage leads to a well-earned reward, the theme of crossing circles to reach the center pays off, and of course, the classic Hero’s Journey of a protagonist reborn as the best version of himself. I also appreciate how well the story flows. “Zorro” doesn't have silly lines interrupting intense moments, as Marvel has done too often. This film does have whimsical dialogue but it knows to avoid it during sinister moments, such as Captain Love revealing the picked head or Alejandro witnessing the slave mining camp. His eyes are opened to the distress of others and it motivates him to take up the mask for more than revenge. I’d also like to add that if Catherine Zeta-Jones is what brought in the fan boys, Antonio Banderas excited my inner fangirl. At my first viewing, Alejandro looked so scruffy and ignorant that I doubted he could become Zorro. But then I watched how he’d pick himself up off the ground and admired his pluck. By the time he cleans himself up (physically and mentally) and dons the black mask, his Zorro radiates heat, charisma, and energy.
Dunno for other fanboys, but i was there for Zorro. Though, I was an odd millenial that grew up in a christian country household with nothing but old vhs tapes to watch, so Zorro was one of my all-time favorite series to watch as a kid. I didn't even realize when I finally saw this movie that they COULD have screwed it up.
Everyone found that scene charming and fun when it came out and it didn't turn anyone into a rapist. It's unfortunate there are so many people who think stuff like this subconsciously makes men disrespect women. That's the same logic as saying video games make people violent.
They always did before wokeness. After all, it's Sarah Connors who destroys the 1st Terminator in the end, not Kyle Reese. Nowadays, well, we know what became of Sarah Connors nowadays... 😢
@@mariadocarmosobreira8323 yeah despite the sorry state were in now, well always have the Sarah Connors, Ellen Ripleys and Beatrix Kiddos to fall back on 😊
@@michellelewalski Hehe, poor Trinity...always forgotten on these lists. There were a lot of 90s movies that had well written female characters that were all distinctly different from each other
I liked the line (after Antonio smiths a Viking longsword down to the Arab scimitar he's trained for), "Can I give that to my daughter after you're dead?".
Definitely. I saw a couple of low rated movies from the 90s and they were actually quite enjoyable. Today even the low rated movies are overrated compared to the older ones.
Some of the flops of the 80s are some of the most amazing movies I have seen, Year of the Dragon, Manhunter, To Live and To Die in LA, Angel Heart and At Close Range are all excellent all of them were box office failures and all of them would beat most of the crap that gets made nowadays.
I think the reason it holds up really well is because, like Raiders of the Lost Ark, it feels like a throwback and homage to the movie serials of yesteryear. There are scenes where it's obvious they're using a stunt double but you don't care because you're invested in the movie, in the characters. I love the stunt-work in this movie and the use of practical effects. It's such a fun movie to watch and you'd think that they'd make it into a proper series but the problem was they waited seven years between this and the sequel. Oh and is it any wonder that Alex Kurtzman co-wrote the screenplay for "Legend of Zorro"?
Horner is not just a superlative composer, but also has an incredible range of emotions. His music spans everything from the coldest, most boyish action themes, to (in this case) the mushiest, girliest romantic tunes!
You know, it’s a damn shame when I get so caught up in enjoying the Drinker’s monologue that I completely forget to smash the like button. So gratifying to hear him speak glowingly about one of my favorite little gems from the 90’s.
"Forgive me father, for I have sinned. It has been three days since my last confession." "Three days?? How many sins could you have committed in three days?! Come back when you have more time!" Was wondering when you'd get to this one. It's one of the only iTunes purchases I have never regretted.
Not forgotten by me, fantastic film. (Best scene: leaves a pistol for one of his enemies to give him an easy way out, only for the weapon to be unloaded......”You didn’t think I’d make it that easy did you?”)
Fun fact about Zoro, the real life bandit who was the inspiration for this character was Joaquin Murrieta. He and his band would often rob pay masters from the local ranches in what is now San Benito county CA, primarily around the town of Hollister. One small town outside of Hollister is called Tres Pinos, a small place of less than 500 people and with an old bar called The 19th Hole. According to family legend, my great great grandfather had a drink with the famous bandit one day after helping him evade authorities, and The 19th Hole is still open today btw. Great BBQ if you’re in the area
@@ChipmunkRapidsMadMan1869 no. sorry. i play this game where you sit around the campfire and someone tells a story and then the next person has to build on it.i guess it is better in person
Martin Campbell is a criminally underrated director who knows how to get out of the material’s way and let it shine without having to prove what a great director he is. The thing I love most about this movie is how every little thing that any character does - whether it’s dance or sword fight or just tearing a poster off a wall - is done with a dramatic flourish that had to have been fun as heck for the actors to do. You’re right, this movie is best summarized as “Fun!”
THIS movie gets Spanish/Latin culture in ways that no other movie since has really captured at all. -This- is the culture of the Dons and the caballeros, and where “macho” really meant being romantic as hell and -proving- it. It’s a Romance Tale in the old school. Dashing heroes, cruel lords, fiery maidens (you’re goddamn right I’d conquer a continent for a Catherine Zeta-Jones) and no apologizing, simpering, supine spinelessness, or awkward dialogue from the men. Gawd, it’s just so good.
It was the first movie seen by me in India. Zorro was amongst my first inspirations in life. My grandpa used yell at me for wearing his towel around my shoulder as a 5 year old in Sirsi during the early 2000s as I ran around the house with a stick and my eyes covered by a mask. The Mask of Zorro was just a sublime experience whether I watch it today as an adult or my memories as a kid.
Another element I love is the friction between Montero and Love. Montero is a villain, but he has his own principles and morals, like when he threatens Elena for an advantage but then admits it was a bluff ("You think I would kill my own child?"). Love, on the other hand, is a monster who simply enjoys abusing his power (whether official or physical) over others, and we see Montero's distaste at working with a barely-chained mad dog.
"I have to teach you one more thing" "Let's go then! What is it?" "Charm" "That is going to take a lot of work!" I love this film for the quick light hearted lines.
I love this flick! It’s a lot like Raiders of the Lost Ark in that it’s a well paced summer blockbuster that builds up its action but has an old school vibe.
Ever since this movie came out it's been one of my favorite movies of all time. Action, drama, comedy, romance, story, all done in a perfect balance. Even the cinematography, music, and sound effects (especially the sword clashing) is phenomenal. Damn near perfect. I'm glad it's starting to get the respect it deserves
Once again another top nostalgic take, Drinker! And you gotta love the holy triumvirate of Banderas films: _Zorro,_ _Desparado_ and, yes, _Puss in Boots._
Re-watched The Mask of Zorro a few years back and man does it still stand up. Martin Campbell was the key - Goldeneye and this were two magnificent fun action movie of the 90s but with genuinely great writing, structure and morality in them too. Goldeneye in fact dealt with the sexist, archaic views of James Bond FAR better than any of the Daniel Cragface efforts. Goldeneye did it properly, tastefully and while keeping faithful to the character.
If you liked this revenge film give "The Count of Monte Cristo" (2002) a watch. With a strong cast including Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, Richard Harris and a baby faced Henry Cavill, it's a film that I can always find time to enjoy.
My favorite adaptation of one of my favorite stories but still disappointing because towards the end it wimped out-- ALL of them, the girl included, betrayed him and in the first hint of the SJW storm to come they rewrote it to make her the victim. Alexandre Dumas was a Frenchman and his women were just as treacherous as the men- they should have respected that.
There was also "The Man in the Iron Mask" (1998), which I think I remember enjoying but I was young at the time - so it might actually be shite if I watch it again now. Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy Irons, and John Malkovich (and a load of french actors). Hugh Laurie is also in it.
My all time favorite movie, I still remember going to the theatre to watch it when I was only 4 years old, I got the VHS for Christmas and watched it over and over and over again, the soundtrack is phenomenal RIP James Horner 😢 I know this movie by heart and every time I watch it again as an adult I feel like a lil kid watching it for the first time with a big smile on my face. It was even cooler when I found out Zorro was an inspiration for my favorite superhero Batman.
@@maisuchan6209 Walt's Zorro was in the late 1950s. His Zorro would become the dad on Lost in Space. Walt loved American history and put it in his movies all over his theme parks. The Disney Co is destroying the man's name and legacy with their treatment of history and even ruining their own products new and old now. No dream lasts forever I guess.
@@TheRadioAteMyTV I heard about a lot of adaptations, but never that one, thanks for the info👍🏼 there's a pretty good TV show from the 90 about Zorro, you should check it out if you have the chance. Yeah, Disney is a complete joke. But times have changed and nothing will bring back it's former glory
I loved the everloving shit out of this movie when I was a wee lad in the 90s, and it never went away. I still find myself quoting it regularly. One of the formative movies of my young and impressionable years - thank fuck. Glad to see it get some well-earned recognition
Being an Argentinian, I can tell you that the original show "El Zorro" Is iconic. It was aired until a few years ago at around noon. Every one knows who El Zorro Is and what he does. It is obvious that a movie made from such a successful show would be good.
I wa a big Zorro fan growing up because they used to replay the 50's TV show on the weekends. My family watched this shortly after it came out and everyone loved it. Then it kind of faded from my mind. With the current drought of good movies I rediscovered this and watched it again with my wife and son and it was such a fun ride. I miss movies like this. Thank you drinker.
Yep. Great cast of actors (and Zeta-Jones is stunning) amazing score and cinematography, and that mine explosion at the climax - with the camera shaking and the animal noises mixed into the audio - pure action movie class 👌
I remember watching as a kid, and thinking Catharine was the most gorgeous, beautiful woman I had ever seen. But also more than just a damsel in distress. I totally agree on it as the classic adventure story, such good themes
I watched this on cinema when I was 10. It was one of the best cinematic experiences of my life. It's still is one of my all time favorites. I'm a sucker for legacy hero stories.
My tip of the hat goes for you, my good fellow. Not that many people pick on the fact that, indeed, Anthony and Antonio are the English and Spanish version of the same name. Meaning that Hopkins and Banderas are actually namesakes.
Anthony Hopkins is so awesome in this movie, it's rare you get to see him legit kick ass physically as well as mentally and naturally he brings as much effort to the role as one can expect. I'm just imagining the casting director being like Director: "Okay, we need to cast an older Zorro to play the mentor, who do we have." Crewman: "Well sir, Anthony Hopkins expressed some interest..." Director: "Wait seriously, fuck, hire the man right now." Crewman: "But sir Anthony Hopkins isn't Spanish." Director: "Who gives a shit, he's Anthony fucking Hopkins."
This movie is fantastic and a real personal favourite. A proper old fashioned adventure with a focus on fun and excitement. I really miss this kind of movie sometimes. The characters are charming and witty, and yet despite the film having elements of comedy, it's still sincere and has the characters respond to in universe stakes with an appropriate level of concern, rather than the constant, unflappable quipping that Marvel movies have popularised. Who knows if we'll ever break away from gritty realism and 'subverted expectations' and return to these more traditional, but GENUINE stories.
Love this film, it's in my top 3 most enjoyable rewatches Especially love Elena's character, she's fantastically written and unlike a lot of lazily written women in media she's not a mary sue nor is she a straight up damsel in distress either she's nuanced and complicated as human beings are. Her and Alejandro's fun flirty fight was a perfect encapsulation of the male and female dynamic, not to mention that as far as technical skill prowess she was clearly the better sword fighter but lacked the tools to think outside the box because of her strict noble upbringing where as Alejandro grew up on the streets and was used to improvising. Everything makes sense and feels earned in this movie.
I love how much work the actors put into the swordplay. This feels like something Douglas Fairbanks might've made. Just a ton of hard work and physicality resulting in a wonderfully enjoyable film.
I actually watched this movie for the first time as an adult last year and I was BLOWN AWAY! It had been a while since a movie was just good fun, exciting action, interesting dialogue, hilarious lines/actions, a good story and characters with just enough depth and realism to bring it all together
I haven't watched Mask of Zorro in ages. It's a great movie. Antonio Banderas was the perfect actor to play Zorro. He had charisma and he really looked the part. Antonio Banderas had good chemistry with Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Anthony Hopkins is truly one of the best actors in the world and I cannot believe this was 13 years before he played Odin in Thor and he does a good job playing the original Zorro Don De La Vega. Catherine Zeta-Jones. Man! I know she's a Welsh actress, but she was so convincing playing a Mexican woman and her accent is good. Martin Campbell did a good job directing the movie. The movie was fun. It had good action sequences. Good humour. Mask of Zorro was an enjoyable action adventure comedy. The end credits song "I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You" performed by Marc Anthony and Tina Arena was a beautiful epic song and it was a good song to end the movie on. The sequel Legend of Zorro was good. But, it wasn't great like Mask of Zorro. A shame we never got a 3rd instalment which could had seen Alejandro Murrieta train his son Joquain as the next Zorro. The Mask of Zorro is a fun and enjoyable action adventure comedy. If you enjoyed The Mummy and Pirates of the Caribbean, The Mask of Zorro is for you. That's all I have to say. Go away now!
I have the impression that it's a movie no one took seriously back then. It was light hearted, and as you point out, a bit formulaic. It's very interesting to see that with time, whereas that was your run of the mill action movie back then, since it aged so well, it might become a cult classic
One of my all time favorite movies. Just love love love it. Catherine Zeta Jones was such a babe in this movie and also the fact they used my first name Alejandro for the main character just brings me so close to this movie. Seeing this modern review is amazing thanks Critical Drinker🙏
Agreed whole wholeheartedly, Drinker. I impressed by how well the film makers captured the essence of classic Zorro (eg: Tyrone Power) and even improved on the story telling.
Fun fact zorro is based of a real man the did the same thing there is fair bit if evidence that he existed around the same time. Also zorro in spanish means fox
You really hit the nail on the head "spoilt for choice" I remember giving this a miss because I used to be a bit meh when it came to Antonio Banderas. It is one of those things however, we only appreciate things once they're gone. How good would it be to see a resurgence of quality acting, storytelling and drama. Having modern day script writers being humble enough to take lessons of movies past and creating something worth watching and remembering. Thanks for reminding us of this movie Drinker!!!
Anthony Hopkins is legitimately the finest Zorro we never got to actually see. Ice cold blue eyes and -perfect- swordsmanship. Where Banderas is something of a playful, slightly puppyish young rogue, Anthony Hopkins is a wolf or a panther, eyes on target, movements absolutely controlled and almost machine like. I’m a HEMA guy, so this movie is extra attractive for the sheer gorgeousness of the fights: ALL Spanish Destreza style, all the time... ...-except- for Captain Love, who uses a French/Prussian saber style, again accurate to period because that’s what the US Cavalry used. I LOVE this movie. And then we get to Wales’s other greatest gift to the world: Catherine Zeta-Jones in the Nineties. Before CHICAGO, before even getting checked out by Sean Connery in Entrapment, good GOD she is a thermonuclear /bombshell/ in that tango scene and utterly bleeds feminine charm. She’s smart, she’s sophisticated, she’s compassionate without being hysterically emotional, she’s not comedic or forced to be masculine to prove any of those points, she’s just...a heroine. Who can still hold her own in a fight just as well as her men. Contrast this with Elizabeth Swann circa the end of even the first Pirates movie and you can see what I mean. This is SUCH a “this could never be done today” character it’s physically painful.
Elizabeth is a heroine, but she is forced by the script of the first Pirates movie, and downright encouraged throughout the series, to be deliberately unladylike. She’s not -allowed- to be a damsel. This fits thematically with the tone of the Pirates films (and if you think about it makes her Barbossa’s protege eventually), but it contrasts -strongly- with CZJ’s characterization in this movie. CZJ’s Elena is a high lady from a romance and the pulps, which is what this story needed.
Ah yes, when the protagonist actually had to learn how to fight to be the hero. I miss those days. Alejandro: I've never lost a fight. Diego: Except to a crippled old man just now.
@@jp3813 It's still different, because the characters he plays aren't self taught badasses who were just born that way. He's was almost always playing a character who had been training with a school since childhood that the other students look up to. To that point further, his movies were not pretending to be what they were not. They were movies to show off martial arts choreography and stunt work, and sometimes titties. They weren't trying to be Star Wars. No hostility here, as I am sure you are aware of this, and were just being funny. And I actually think you bring up a good point, We don't have to actually see the character acquire their skills, so long as there is a good explanation for it. Like Rey being powerful because she got retconned as a Palpatine makes sense for her to have power, it's more about her prowess in fighting, and the actual control of said power that was the issue. They tried to back pedal on that in TRoS, but it was just too little, too late.
@@JKurayami So is martial arts a chicken vs egg situation then? Because somebody had to create it on their own first. It's funny though b/c I remember 80s & 90s movies w/ Jackie Chan where he plays a lawyer or chef and it's never addressed why he's a badass fighter at the same time. When you brought up a fantasy franchise (though the video showed Captain Marvel), it reminded me of Harry Potter showing off a natural talent for quidditch despite never having ridden a broom before in his life. Then immediately makes the winning play of his first game.
@@jp3813 For the entire history of Martial arts, yes. But the people first inventing it were probably not good at it either. They were probably proficient brawlers, but poor conductors of turning it into art, I am sure it took a few generations to get the math, and pressure points, and weak parts of the human body nailed down. As for martial arts movies where real people are doing real choreography and stunts, that's really the bigger point of those movies, to display the talent. The story is something there to get us from scene to scene. And at times we are treated to stories that are just as good as the action. Like a 80's B action movie, like Comando. Dumb as hell in premise and plot, awesome in explosions, muscles, and bullets. I also don't really like the first two HP movies that much. And overall I find the series to just be ok. I think the world building is fantastic though, and that part is what keeps me interested, despite only watching the movies once, and never reading past the third book.
Hopkins does an excellent job as Count "Pierre" Bezukhov, in BBC's "War and Peace", from back in the day. BBC did a reboot recently, committing to less than half the run time, kinda like having 20-minute Star Trek episodes with a different cast (if it was animated, maybe that would work) and leaving out the plot, but leaving in the lasers and photon torpedoes.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
Remember when the Mentor teaches a New Protagonist how to carry his Legacy without Humiliating them.
Those were the good days. Before the Dark Times...before the Mouse Empire.
That really does hit hard with how pitiful movies have become
Pepperidge Farm Remembers
@@mish375 And the evil Emperor KK.
The film itself humiliated him making him a bumbling idiot for most of the runtime.
Don Diego:
"Do you know how to use that thing?"
Alejandro:
"Yes. The pointy end goes into the other man."
Don Diego:
(sighs) "This is going to take a lot of work."
Pure diologue gold.
German Longsword Master Dobringer: Yes, he's got it, exactly.
"Yes, you would've fought very bravely and died very quickly" cracks me up 😂😂
Literally my number one Movie Line of all time. 😂
Love that line!
A line borrowed by Aria Stark when she got "Needle."
God, Zeta-Jones was almost supernaturally beautiful in this thing. Swords fights were great too.
Yes, in the movie when we first see her I can't help holding my breath. She's absolutely angelic.
Didn't care much for this movie when I saw it in the theatre, but I do remember catching my breath at the sight of Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Salma Hayek must've been busy
One of the hottest of all time PERIOD.
Peak Catherine Zeta Jones. It was a short peak, but what an epic peak it was.
The scene where he jumps from the roof and the horse just fucks off out of the way is one of the most hilarious pieces of physical humour i've ever seen. This is indeed a movie with everything in the right proportion.
He actually broke his foot on that shot. I spoke with him while filming another movie and he told me about it. The leg injury was getting in the way of shooting some action scenes
Almost every scene was beautifully shot and iconic even. Even the opening intro was a wall of text/exposition dump, which I usually HATE, and THAT was beautiful as well!.
"...we are trying to dance!"
"You were trying, she was succeeding."
Love that scene!
There's a great interview with Catherine Zeta-Jones where she was asked if this movie should be cancelled due to the scene where Zorro kisses her without permission and cuts her dress off at the end of the flirt/fight. To which she responded: "I hope not. I think we'll look back at this time like 'remember that time when women lost their minds'?" It's a great interview and I love her and the movie even more than I already did!
She's 100% right.
Remember that time in Russia when a Women's march sparked the Bolsheviki revolution and the misery that followed? Let's hope it doesn't get THAT bad
@@christiankrueger2330 Portland is fine, they only go after far-right lgbt asians who write unfavorable stories about them, and that's a good thing. Stop with all the fear-mongering.
Hey she's talking sense, a few years from now we'll probably look back on all this cancel culture nonsense and collectively ask what the fuck were people on.
@@insensitive919 yeah its ok as long as you don't make waves and say all the right things to the mobs of land whales blocking traffic.
"I thought you were tied up?"
"That is because you are stupid".
The lines were delivered just right as well.
So much this. Wasn't much of anything ACTUALLY funny in this movie, but the some of the slapstick physicality and, as you said, the delivery, is spot on.
Lol, one of the best lines ever!
I love that line lol
@Jacen Grey *DOGGO*
Still my standard reply when someone starts a sentence with "But I thought...".
This movie can be described in one word
FUN
something sorely lacking in entertainment today
@@XBullitt16X agreed
What is this "fun" you speak of? ;o)
@@solarsailer4166 I see you've been watching too much modern Hollywood
Awesome, is the word for me!
Antonio even pulled off an analog special effect when he draws his sword for the final duel with Capt. Love, he angles the blade just so, and directs the sunlight into the camera for a very satisfying lens flare that is just right. So cool.
Yes. Such a cool thing. He executed that perfectly in his 3rd attempt.
@@subarnosinha4260 Three! That's all? I seem to recall hearing that he was warned he would not get another attempt because of time. The last one did it, I guess. Very cool just the same.
Looks even more magnificent in full 4K HDR
An instant classic. I love how it's bookended by both Zorros telling stories to their infant children. Back when setup and payoff was a thing.
Definitely a quality movie, and Catherine Zeta Jones is just super HOT.
So hot it hurts!!!!
Also the other movie around that time she did with Sir Sean Connery was great.
Maybe it's just me. But despite all the flak the Victorian(?) Era gets, you put a hot, busty woman in a corset?
They get dialed up from a 9 to an 11!
I mean, to be fair, 100% of the point of the corset is to emphasize the feminine form!
@@orarinnsnorrason4614 I think it was called laser ass.
EL FUEGO!!!
“Mixed with a little bit of Bruce Wayne”
It’s funny because Mask of Zorro was one of the inspirations for Batman. Damn even in the theater where his parents die he was watching Mask of Zorro
Thought he was watching the Grey Ghost
@@ghosturiel nope, he was definitely watching Zorro
Surely, he was watching Mark of Zorro?
Another fun facts it that the relationships that Don Diego and Alejandro has, it similar to the relationship that Bruce Wayne and Terry McGinnis has in Batman beyond
@@ghosturiel
Maybe in the animated series, it's the Grey Ghost.
But in the Frank Miller comics, it's Zorro.
(While in "Batman Begins", its "Die Fledermaus".)
It's all good.
One Important thing about this movie is the Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones chemistry on screen, is simply amazing.
Facts
And she’s a smoke show.
@@chadmerrell2951 indeed!! My wife and I always agreed that Banderas is a great Zorro thanks to Catherine.
And then Michael Douglas came and swept her up.
@@chadmerrell2951 well she’s Welsh what do you expect!
An amazing moment: At the bar, Zorro (Hopkins) asks the angry brother (Banderas) his name. "Alejandro" he answers. "Alejandro" sighs Hopkins, while looking inside his head for memories of old: Don Alejandro de la Vega was his father's name. Killer script, killer delivery.
Banderas’ delivery of “pointy end goes into the other man” still cracks me up
Wait, so that's where that line came from? It's amazing what one can forget in 20+ years
@@InfernosReaper Didn't Arya Stark say the same line? When her dance teacher asked? Don't know if it was in the books, or just tv invention
@@fobusas - I heard something similar to it in bootcamp in '83
Count of Monte Cristo is an excellent compliment to this movie.
Another gem, I agree!
First or second one?
Also princess bride.
Could not agree more! Even if there was nothing else going on in the film, watching the growing feud between Edmond and Fernand is enthralling enough. But everything in that one is solid.
Great comment, I agree, another great movie as well, thanks!
And its free to watch on RUclips!
Catherine Zeta-Jones is still a beautiful woman.
Back in the day, she was sizzlin' hot.
that barn scene...wow
The scene where she is walking down the city street while people are making barrels, loading carts, saddling horses and whatever is pure fantasy. In that day and age, as now, a woman like that would bring all male activity to a standstill.
This was the movie that started my puberty thanks to her
Damn, she was absolutely gorgeous!
@@AndreNitroX LOL! XD
I'm so very tempted to tie a DVD of this movie to a rock, attach a note saying 'you don't need to humilate the mentor to make the student look good by comparison' and chuck it through Rian Johnson's window.
Do it!
i'll help.
Do it! We'll give an alibi if you get caught
I doubt he would get the message.
@@madwolf He would just get THE MESSAGE from his lady boss...
the scene where elena and don deigo meet in the stable and she talks about her mother, he his daughter... hopkins' facial expressions just reacting to zeta jones - such a magnificent actor, absolute legend.
Agreed. He conveys more in reacting than almost any other actor alive.
The scene when he cuts Catherine Zeta-Jones' dress. He cuts it off without cutting her hair. Wow. They won't let you do that anymore! Nor the tango sequence!
I'm still wondering how Zorro could cut her dress, but not her hair. Seems to me that some of the laws of physics were temporarily bypassed. :-)
I laughed when that happened, i rewatched it just a few wknds ago. Its a very Airplane/Men In Tights/Top Secret Zucker Bros moment
@@minarchist1776 Beyond Hollywood magic, with only the very tip of the rapier being sharp and her hair being only attached at one end versus the double ended of her clothing straps, you could say the blade pushed her hair aside while cutting the straps. But we know the truth.
That is why they should do it right now because of are defiling nature and there are a few directors that would do that just to prove a point.
@@michaelplowman8674 applied physics + film critique = Scholarly
_"Do you know how to use that thing?..."_
_"Yes!.......The pointy end goes into the other man!"_
I prefer Red’s version. “Yeah, you pull the trigger.” Ohh what a wonderful character.
*Arya Stark liked that*
Well, he wasn't wrong.
Alejandro and Elena's fight is one of my favorite sword fights ever. They're both competent fighters, both have moments of both being in control and on the defensive, the choreography was great, the flirty banter was adorable and sensual. Seeing a fight between a man and a woman where both are shown to be strong without demeaning the other? Where they both score hits on the other and control the fight? Where they come across as equals not because of contrivance, but because they just are?! Wow, this movie IS old.
My father has me train with the best swords masters....
Elaina
Age is relative though. This is a newer movie when you compare it to an old classic such as The Maltese Falcon. As we age, you will find that the older stuff, no matter the subject, is usually better.
@@windborne8795 it has nothing to do with age. This is a great Passing Of The Torch movie.
He was obviously holding back though, they weren't really equals, he was flirting the whole time. If they made it today, she would be better than him and humiliate him. He'd try to flirt and she'd beat him down to send a strong message: "flirting is NOT okay, men and women should NOT be romantic with each other EVER. Romance is creepy and disgusting!"
@@sup9542 He’s a gentleman. He does not deny her challenge but he won’t harm her either.
When you see the glowing look on her face, you realize it was a love scene of sorts, not unlike Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers roller skating dance sequence where he offers her a cigarette at the end.
Plus Hopkins learnt how to do the using a whip to put out candles trick for real. Proper dedication.
Bullshit, this movie is LEGENDARY. Not only in my family, but all over Germany. Not a single one of us who doesn't celebrate it.
Alejandro's struggle to be patient is so palpable, Banderas really sold how hard it was for him to keep a lid on his anger.
Not only that, he had to smile in the face of his brother's killer, laugh at his jokes and even stare at his beheaded corpse being pickled in a jar.
Catherine Zeta Jones as “Elena” is what we named our daughter from this movie.
What a fantastic film!
Beautiful name❤️
@@lucialu833 Thank you!
did the same myself
You named your daughter "Catherine Zeta Jones as Elena?"
@@discoduck3785 no, we named her Elena
I used to dress up like Zorro for Halloween when I was a child.
Oh those were the days.
I dressed up as the zorro once for Halloween too even though I'm a girl, but he's such a badass :p
You were appropriating Latinx culture, you monster !
Me too, but 60 years ago. Shows you the lasting power of the character.
Shit, me too!!! But not just for Halloween, my mom gave me a homemade Zorro costume and I wore it all the time!!!
Me too and I was a little girl, born 1952!
Interesting where this film came about in time. In an era where the film market was steadily beginning to see the use of computer graphics as the next big thing and set pieces were slowly being consumed by it, Zoro came about and helped remind audiences the greatness of seeing practicality and stunt work take center stage again. I appreciate it for that.
i think there was a CGI moment when he put his mask on up close. still wasn't distracting, though.
@@cortedemico There was digital compositing throughout the film but it was in service of the story rather than about being flashy, like it was for most 90's movies.
This is one of my favorite movies of all time. To rehash what Drinker said, *everything* works beautifully. The aging mentor and the young protogee have clear motivations, the training montage leads to a well-earned reward, the theme of crossing circles to reach the center pays off, and of course, the classic Hero’s Journey of a protagonist reborn as the best version of himself.
I also appreciate how well the story flows. “Zorro” doesn't have silly lines interrupting intense moments, as Marvel has done too often. This film does have whimsical dialogue but it knows to avoid it during sinister moments, such as Captain Love revealing the picked head or Alejandro witnessing the slave mining camp. His eyes are opened to the distress of others and it motivates him to take up the mask for more than revenge.
I’d also like to add that if Catherine Zeta-Jones is what brought in the fan boys, Antonio Banderas excited my inner fangirl. At my first viewing, Alejandro looked so scruffy and ignorant that I doubted he could become Zorro. But then I watched how he’d pick himself up off the ground and admired his pluck. By the time he cleans himself up (physically and mentally) and dons the black mask, his Zorro radiates heat, charisma, and energy.
Dunno for other fanboys, but i was there for Zorro. Though, I was an odd millenial that grew up in a christian country household with nothing but old vhs tapes to watch, so Zorro was one of my all-time favorite series to watch as a kid. I didn't even realize when I finally saw this movie that they COULD have screwed it up.
The scene were he cuts her dress to pieces is golden. Scenes like that will never show up again.
yes they will thankfully it will be more like the greatest actor of our time, brie larson cutting down some men to pieces.
It was a funny and cheeky scene. Of course it wouldn't be allowed today!
It will but only after HOLLYWIERD loses so much money they abandon the insane ideology of wokeness...I'll give it five years at best ten at worst.
Good and fun movies will come back after feminists are taken out of the gene pool.
Everyone found that scene charming and fun when it came out and it didn't turn anyone into a rapist. It's unfortunate there are so many people who think stuff like this subconsciously makes men disrespect women. That's the same logic as saying video games make people violent.
Imagine that..movies having male AND female characters you can actually be proud of 🙂
They always did before wokeness. After all, it's Sarah Connors who destroys the 1st Terminator in the end, not Kyle Reese. Nowadays, well, we know what became of Sarah Connors nowadays... 😢
@@mariadocarmosobreira8323 yeah despite the sorry state were in now, well always have the Sarah Connors, Ellen Ripleys and Beatrix Kiddos to fall back on 😊
@@michellelewalski Also Trinity from the Matrix.
@@mish375 yeah I noticed the irony when mentioning the golden trinity and not mention trinity 😂
@@michellelewalski Hehe, poor Trinity...always forgotten on these lists. There were a lot of 90s movies that had well written female characters that were all distinctly different from each other
"Remember when movies were fun..."
Yeah, yeah I do! Now it's like sitting through a social science lecture, minus the science.
God, this is bang-on, mate! 😂
Great performances, well written characters, entertaining and fun. What more can you want?
Side note, Catherine Zeta Jones was so stunning.
The late 90’s, when you could find a great movie to go to every weekend.
13th warrior was another highly underrated Antonio Banderas movie.
I really love that movie, but it feels like they weren't entirely sure how to deal with the third act.
@@arisucheddar3097 probably time/money production crunch, was the feeling I got from it.
Oooo I forgot about 13th warrior… man that was a gritty and dark action adventure .
I liked the line (after Antonio smiths a Viking longsword down to the Arab scimitar he's trained for), "Can I give that to my daughter after you're dead?".
That's an awesome movie.
I'd like to see the Drinker's take on the Count of Monte Cristo with Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce. Like Zorro it's overlooked IMO.
My favorite story.
I agree. Another well-written, thoughtful swashbuckler with respect for its original material and actual character development.
@@johnjamele And Jim Caviezel (Hollywood's most underrated actor) in the lead role
One of my favorite movies. I love the casting so much and it respects the original story so well.
That film is one of the few times when the adaptation is as good as the book.
I love that film, it was a swashbuckling adventure.
It was a true classic and still is. It took elements from the old TV series while being it's own thing. Beautiful
@@TSPH1992 Indeed and it was fun.
I suspect that many of the “flops” from the days of old are passable movies compared to the blockbusters of today.
Definitely. I saw a couple of low rated movies from the 90s and they were actually quite enjoyable. Today even the low rated movies are overrated compared to the older ones.
It was the same with videogames. Looked crude but so many ideas and so much charm.
Some of the flops of the 80s are some of the most amazing movies I have seen, Year of the Dragon, Manhunter, To Live and To Die in LA, Angel Heart and At Close Range are all excellent all of them were box office failures and all of them would beat most of the crap that gets made nowadays.
Give 'Cutthroat Island' a shot
true that. I thought this movies sucked at the time..but now...meh...
I think the reason it holds up really well is because, like Raiders of the Lost Ark, it feels like a throwback and homage to the movie serials of yesteryear. There are scenes where it's obvious they're using a stunt double but you don't care because you're invested in the movie, in the characters. I love the stunt-work in this movie and the use of practical effects. It's such a fun movie to watch and you'd think that they'd make it into a proper series but the problem was they waited seven years between this and the sequel.
Oh and is it any wonder that Alex Kurtzman co-wrote the screenplay for "Legend of Zorro"?
"How much eyeliner should we put on Anthony?"
"Yes."
hey, if it makes his eyes look great...
James Horner’s score is outstanding as well. In fact, I think I’ll give it a listen right meow.
Did... did you say meow?
You have a good day meow!
Excellent soundtrack!
This is what I came here to say. Glad it's top comment.
Horner is not just a superlative composer, but also has an incredible range of emotions.
His music spans everything from the coldest, most boyish action themes, to (in this case) the mushiest, girliest romantic tunes!
The scene when Zorro jumps of the roof and the horse moves away is one of my favorite scene of all times. I cry every time i see it :D :D :D
You know, it’s a damn shame when I get so caught up in enjoying the Drinker’s monologue that I completely forget to smash the like button. So gratifying to hear him speak glowingly about one of my favorite little gems from the 90’s.
"Forgive me father, for I have sinned. It has been three days since my last confession."
"Three days?? How many sins could you have committed in three days?! Come back when you have more time!"
Was wondering when you'd get to this one. It's one of the only iTunes purchases I have never regretted.
The count of Monte Cristo with Guy Pearce and Jim caviezel, now that is a forgotten classic.
That movie was actually more boring and with a slow pace then Mask of zorro
Not forgotten by me, fantastic film. (Best scene: leaves a pistol for one of his enemies to give him an easy way out, only for the weapon to be unloaded......”You didn’t think I’d make it that easy did you?”)
The swordplay in both these movies were great.
Pino yeah it’s slow but more methodical than action adventure like zorro.
What are you talking about? That movie is more well-known and beloved than Mask of Zorro, despite Zorro being the superior film by far.
Fun fact about Zoro, the real life bandit who was the inspiration for this character was Joaquin Murrieta. He and his band would often rob pay masters from the local ranches in what is now San Benito county CA, primarily around the town of Hollister. One small town outside of Hollister is called Tres Pinos, a small place of less than 500 people and with an old bar called The 19th Hole. According to family legend, my great great grandfather had a drink with the famous bandit one day after helping him evade authorities, and The 19th Hole is still open today btw. Great BBQ if you’re in the area
Oh yea, Alejandro was the brother. I did the same but got the names reversed
Holy shit! There was a real “Zorro”?!
and the bandits impoverished the town so they had to sell their clothes and that is how hollister brand began
@@real5609 seriously?
@@ChipmunkRapidsMadMan1869
no. sorry. i play this game where you sit around the campfire and someone tells a story and then the next person has to build on it.i guess it is better in person
I forgot how fantastic this movie is. The 90s has alot of forgotten jems.
Meet the Robinsons - lost classic.
Omg thank you for covering this!! Freakin LOVE this movie. 90s action stuff was so great. Like The Mummy. Sigh. I miss those days
"There is a saying, a very old saying. When the student is ready, the master will appear."
I always loved this Movie. Kinda sad we need to cross this valley of suck to remember how good these movies actually where.
Martin Campbell is a criminally underrated director who knows how to get out of the material’s way and let it shine without having to prove what a great director he is. The thing I love most about this movie is how every little thing that any character does - whether it’s dance or sword fight or just tearing a poster off a wall - is done with a dramatic flourish that had to have been fun as heck for the actors to do. You’re right, this movie is best summarized as “Fun!”
THIS movie gets Spanish/Latin culture in ways that no other movie since has really captured at all. -This- is the culture of the Dons and the caballeros, and where “macho” really meant being romantic as hell and -proving- it. It’s a Romance Tale in the old school. Dashing heroes, cruel lords, fiery maidens (you’re goddamn right I’d conquer a continent for a Catherine Zeta-Jones) and no apologizing, simpering, supine spinelessness, or awkward dialogue from the men. Gawd, it’s just so good.
@@emanueliratliff4263 What's with the strikethroughs? What are you trying to get across?
@@DPMusicStudio I tend to forget that RUclips’s comments turn hyphens into strikethroughs rather than emphatic italics.
@@emanueliratliff4263 didn’t know that!!! Thanks for responding.
Catherine Zeta Jones was a straight up Goddess.
One of the most beautiful women I have ever seen on screen.
It was the first movie seen by me in India. Zorro was amongst my first inspirations in life. My grandpa used yell at me for wearing his towel around my shoulder as a 5 year old in Sirsi during the early 2000s as I ran around the house with a stick and my eyes covered by a mask. The Mask of Zorro was just a sublime experience whether I watch it today as an adult or my memories as a kid.
Another element I love is the friction between Montero and Love. Montero is a villain, but he has his own principles and morals, like when he threatens Elena for an advantage but then admits it was a bluff ("You think I would kill my own child?"). Love, on the other hand, is a monster who simply enjoys abusing his power (whether official or physical) over others, and we see Montero's distaste at working with a barely-chained mad dog.
"I have to teach you one more thing"
"Let's go then! What is it?"
"Charm"
"That is going to take a lot of work!"
I love this film for the quick light hearted lines.
Chaotic Good versus Lawful Evil. Classic.
I love this flick! It’s a lot like Raiders of the Lost Ark in that it’s a well paced summer blockbuster that builds up its action but has an old school vibe.
The music is great in this too!
Ever since this movie came out it's been one of my favorite movies of all time. Action, drama, comedy, romance, story, all done in a perfect balance. Even the cinematography, music, and sound effects (especially the sword clashing) is phenomenal. Damn near perfect. I'm glad it's starting to get the respect it deserves
Once again another top nostalgic take, Drinker! And you gotta love the holy triumvirate of Banderas films: _Zorro,_ _Desparado_ and, yes, _Puss in Boots._
Hahaha
Now days they wouldn’t “allow” Anthony Hopkins to play a Spanish nobleman
Or CJZ a Spanish woman.
yes it would have to be a black woman.
Sean Connery played a Spaniard in the first two *Highlander* movies, and I didn't hear anybody complain!
I'm a bit surprised there have been no attempts to cancel the pair of them.
Apparently their first choice was Sean Connery
@@grantorino2325 It was hinted, that he was actually from Egypt. Suggesting the piramids time.
"the pointy end goes into the other man" super progessive.
Well it IS June...
@@heathj9403 😂
I used to dress up as Zorro and re-enact this movie while it was playing.
“That’s the second time I’ve shot that man while he was flying through the air” - Cpt Love
i guess there was nothing further on down the trough
Re-watched The Mask of Zorro a few years back and man does it still stand up. Martin Campbell was the key - Goldeneye and this were two magnificent fun action movie of the 90s but with genuinely great writing, structure and morality in them too. Goldeneye in fact dealt with the sexist, archaic views of James Bond FAR better than any of the Daniel Cragface efforts. Goldeneye did it properly, tastefully and while keeping faithful to the character.
The movie best known for seamlessly blending a striptease and a swordfight.
What is a strip tease but a sword fight where no-one get's stabbed?
@@christiankrueger2330 great comment 😂👍
"The movie best known for seamlessly blending a striptease and a swordfight"
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon ?
If you liked this revenge film give "The Count of Monte Cristo" (2002) a watch.
With a strong cast including Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, Richard Harris and a baby faced Henry Cavill, it's a film that I can always find time to enjoy.
That film was so good I got the original book to read.
My favorite adaptation of one of my favorite stories but still disappointing because towards the end it wimped out-- ALL of them, the girl included, betrayed him and in the first hint of the SJW storm to come they rewrote it to make her the victim. Alexandre Dumas was a Frenchman and his women were just as treacherous as the men- they should have respected that.
That movie was a bit boring
There was also "The Man in the Iron Mask" (1998), which I think I remember enjoying but I was young at the time - so it might actually be shite if I watch it again now.
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy Irons, and John Malkovich (and a load of french actors). Hugh Laurie is also in it.
Zorro ruined that movie for me
My all time favorite movie, I still remember going to the theatre to watch it when I was only 4 years old, I got the VHS for Christmas and watched it over and over and over again, the soundtrack is phenomenal RIP James Horner 😢 I know this movie by heart and every time I watch it again as an adult I feel like a lil kid watching it for the first time with a big smile on my face. It was even cooler when I found out Zorro was an inspiration for my favorite superhero Batman.
Pray Disney doesn't come over after it. (Walt did an EXCELLENT job with Zorro, but Walt is very dead.)
@@TheRadioAteMyTV was that the TV show from the 90s? I gads no idea it was Disney's! How times have changed
@@maisuchan6209 Walt's Zorro was in the late 1950s. His Zorro would become the dad on Lost in Space. Walt loved American history and put it in his movies all over his theme parks. The Disney Co is destroying the man's name and legacy with their treatment of history and even ruining their own products new and old now. No dream lasts forever I guess.
@@TheRadioAteMyTV I heard about a lot of adaptations, but never that one, thanks for the info👍🏼 there's a pretty good TV show from the 90 about Zorro, you should check it out if you have the chance.
Yeah, Disney is a complete joke. But times have changed and nothing will bring back it's former glory
I loved the everloving shit out of this movie when I was a wee lad in the 90s, and it never went away. I still find myself quoting it regularly. One of the formative movies of my young and impressionable years - thank fuck. Glad to see it get some well-earned recognition
Being an Argentinian, I can tell you that the original show "El Zorro" Is iconic. It was aired until a few years ago at around noon. Every one knows who El Zorro Is and what he does. It is obvious that a movie made from such a successful show would be good.
I love how Old Zorro's amazing disguise was shaving his beard. It was absurd but it worked because Hopkins is kind of a God at this.
Great movie. The only word that describes Catherine Zeta-Jones in that movie is:
Luminous.
Love this movie! Martin Campbell is a badass director. Great action, acting and Zeta-Jones is hawt asf🤩
I wa a big Zorro fan growing up because they used to replay the 50's TV show on the weekends. My family watched this shortly after it came out and everyone loved it. Then it kind of faded from my mind. With the current drought of good movies I rediscovered this and watched it again with my wife and son and it was such a fun ride. I miss movies like this. Thank you drinker.
Anthony Hopkins is in it ♥️ it is good. Only seen it about 20 times. Never gets old.
One impotant thing to take: every hero character in the movie has clear motivation to do hero things.
That time when movies used to be entertainment rather than lectures. Boy I miss those days.
This is why I like Godzilla movies. No bullshit, just some giant monsters wrecking a city.
Yep. Great cast of actors (and Zeta-Jones is stunning) amazing score and cinematography, and that mine explosion at the climax - with the camera shaking and the animal noises mixed into the audio - pure action movie class 👌
I remember watching as a kid, and thinking Catharine was the most gorgeous, beautiful woman I had ever seen. But also more than just a damsel in distress.
I totally agree on it as the classic adventure story, such good themes
Marina
This is one of those flicks that people actually forget how great it really is. I am so glad you put this one back in the spot light.
I watched this on cinema when I was 10. It was one of the best cinematic experiences of my life. It's still is one of my all time favorites. I'm a sucker for legacy hero stories.
Anthony, Antonio... this is getting out of hand! Now there's two of them!
😂
It's a shame the love interest wasn't played by Antonia Zeta Jones, they could have gone for the trifecta
And suddenly an extra called Anton shows up
My tip of the hat goes for you, my good fellow. Not that many people pick on the fact that, indeed, Anthony and Antonio are the English and Spanish version of the same name.
Meaning that Hopkins and Banderas are actually namesakes.
Anthony Hopkins is so awesome in this movie, it's rare you get to see him legit kick ass physically as well as mentally and naturally he brings as much effort to the role as one can expect. I'm just imagining the casting director being like
Director: "Okay, we need to cast an older Zorro to play the mentor, who do we have."
Crewman: "Well sir, Anthony Hopkins expressed some interest..."
Director: "Wait seriously, fuck, hire the man right now."
Crewman: "But sir Anthony Hopkins isn't Spanish."
Director: "Who gives a shit, he's Anthony fucking Hopkins."
This movie is fantastic and a real personal favourite. A proper old fashioned adventure with a focus on fun and excitement.
I really miss this kind of movie sometimes. The characters are charming and witty, and yet despite the film having elements of comedy, it's still sincere and has the characters respond to in universe stakes with an appropriate level of concern, rather than the constant, unflappable quipping that Marvel movies have popularised.
Who knows if we'll ever break away from gritty realism and 'subverted expectations' and return to these more traditional, but GENUINE stories.
Yes, modern MCU Bathos bullcrap that Joss Whedon obnoxiously popularized throughout the 2010s onward...
Love this film, it's in my top 3 most enjoyable rewatches
Especially love Elena's character, she's fantastically written and unlike a lot of lazily written women in media she's not a mary sue nor is she a straight up damsel in distress either she's nuanced and complicated as human beings are. Her and Alejandro's fun flirty fight was a perfect encapsulation of the male and female dynamic, not to mention that as far as technical skill prowess she was clearly the better sword fighter but lacked the tools to think outside the box because of her strict noble upbringing where as Alejandro grew up on the streets and was used to improvising. Everything makes sense and feels earned in this movie.
Oddly enough, I watched this movie a few times and it reminded me a lot of the formula for modern superhero movies
It displays the hero's journey in a really fun way
It is an inspiration for some.
I love how much work the actors put into the swordplay. This feels like something Douglas Fairbanks might've made. Just a ton of hard work and physicality resulting in a wonderfully enjoyable film.
I actually watched this movie for the first time as an adult last year and I was BLOWN AWAY! It had been a while since a movie was just good fun, exciting action, interesting dialogue, hilarious lines/actions, a good story and characters with just enough depth and realism to bring it all together
One of my favorite movies growing up!!
I haven't watched Mask of Zorro in ages. It's a great movie. Antonio Banderas was the perfect actor to play Zorro. He had charisma and he really looked the part. Antonio Banderas had good chemistry with Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Anthony Hopkins is truly one of the best actors in the world and I cannot believe this was 13 years before he played Odin in Thor and he does a good job playing the original Zorro Don De La Vega. Catherine Zeta-Jones. Man! I know she's a Welsh actress, but she was so convincing playing a Mexican woman and her accent is good. Martin Campbell did a good job directing the movie. The movie was fun. It had good action sequences. Good humour. Mask of Zorro was an enjoyable action adventure comedy. The end credits song "I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You" performed by Marc Anthony and Tina Arena was a beautiful epic song and it was a good song to end the movie on. The sequel Legend of Zorro was good. But, it wasn't great like Mask of Zorro. A shame we never got a 3rd instalment which could had seen Alejandro Murrieta train his son Joquain as the next Zorro. The Mask of Zorro is a fun and enjoyable action adventure comedy. If you enjoyed The Mummy and Pirates of the Caribbean, The Mask of Zorro is for you. That's all I have to say. Go away now!
I have the impression that it's a movie no one took seriously back then. It was light hearted, and as you point out, a bit formulaic. It's very interesting to see that with time, whereas that was your run of the mill action movie back then, since it aged so well, it might become a cult classic
Question: Is The Mask of Zorro any good?
Answer: Catherine Zeta-Jones.
QED
One of my all time favorite movies. Just love love love it. Catherine Zeta Jones was such a babe in this movie and also the fact they used my first name Alejandro for the main character just brings me so close to this movie. Seeing this modern review is amazing thanks Critical Drinker🙏
90's and early 00's had some of the best blockbuster we will ever see. We didn't know how good we had it.
Agreed whole wholeheartedly, Drinker. I impressed by how well the film makers captured the essence of classic Zorro (eg: Tyrone Power) and even improved on the story telling.
Fun fact zorro is based of a real man the did the same thing there is fair bit if evidence that he existed around the same time. Also zorro in spanish means fox
He’s based off of the Murrietta brothers, who were real and also in this movie.
@@spenser9908 and people say history isn't interesting
That's interesting. I always wondered what a "zorro" was.
Not really....he was probably based on an irishman who went to California in the 1700s (not joking).
@@isaacxcii4289 maybe or he was based of many people from that area who knows for sure
You really hit the nail on the head "spoilt for choice" I remember giving this a miss because I used to be a bit meh when it came to Antonio Banderas. It is one of those things however, we only appreciate things once they're gone. How good would it be to see a resurgence of quality acting, storytelling and drama. Having modern day script writers being humble enough to take lessons of movies past and creating something worth watching and remembering.
Thanks for reminding us of this movie Drinker!!!
Oh, Catherine. My first celebrity crush. This movie set it off.
Anthony Hopkins is legitimately the finest Zorro we never got to actually see.
Ice cold blue eyes and -perfect- swordsmanship. Where Banderas is something of a playful, slightly puppyish young rogue, Anthony Hopkins is a wolf or a panther, eyes on target, movements absolutely controlled and almost machine like.
I’m a HEMA guy, so this movie is extra attractive for the sheer gorgeousness of the fights: ALL Spanish Destreza style, all the time...
...-except- for Captain Love, who uses a French/Prussian saber style, again accurate to period because that’s what the US Cavalry used. I LOVE this movie.
And then we get to Wales’s other greatest gift to the world:
Catherine Zeta-Jones in the Nineties.
Before CHICAGO, before even getting checked out by Sean Connery in Entrapment, good GOD she is a thermonuclear /bombshell/ in that tango scene and utterly bleeds feminine charm. She’s smart, she’s sophisticated, she’s compassionate without being hysterically emotional, she’s not comedic or forced to be masculine to prove any of those points, she’s just...a heroine. Who can still hold her own in a fight just as well as her men. Contrast this with Elizabeth Swann circa the end of even the first Pirates movie and you can see what I mean.
This is SUCH a “this could never be done today” character it’s physically painful.
What's the issue with Elizabeth Swann?
Elizabeth is a heroine, but she is forced by the script of the first Pirates movie, and downright encouraged throughout the series, to be deliberately unladylike. She’s not -allowed- to be a damsel. This fits thematically with the tone of the Pirates films (and if you think about it makes her Barbossa’s protege eventually), but it contrasts -strongly- with CZJ’s characterization in this movie. CZJ’s Elena is a high lady from a romance and the pulps, which is what this story needed.
Ah yes, when the protagonist actually had to learn how to fight to be the hero. I miss those days.
Alejandro: I've never lost a fight.
Diego: Except to a crippled old man just now.
You wouldve fought bravely and died very quickly
Hopkins was just perfect
Did you not like Bruce Lee movies? They usually just skipped the learning part.
@@jp3813 It's still different, because the characters he plays aren't self taught badasses who were just born that way. He's was almost always playing a character who had been training with a school since childhood that the other students look up to.
To that point further, his movies were not pretending to be what they were not. They were movies to show off martial arts choreography and stunt work, and sometimes titties. They weren't trying to be Star Wars.
No hostility here, as I am sure you are aware of this, and were just being funny. And I actually think you bring up a good point, We don't have to actually see the character acquire their skills, so long as there is a good explanation for it. Like Rey being powerful because she got retconned as a Palpatine makes sense for her to have power, it's more about her prowess in fighting, and the actual control of said power that was the issue. They tried to back pedal on that in TRoS, but it was just too little, too late.
@@JKurayami So is martial arts a chicken vs egg situation then? Because somebody had to create it on their own first. It's funny though b/c I remember 80s & 90s movies w/ Jackie Chan where he plays a lawyer or chef and it's never addressed why he's a badass fighter at the same time. When you brought up a fantasy franchise (though the video showed Captain Marvel), it reminded me of Harry Potter showing off a natural talent for quidditch despite never having ridden a broom before in his life. Then immediately makes the winning play of his first game.
@@jp3813 For the entire history of Martial arts, yes. But the people first inventing it were probably not good at it either. They were probably proficient brawlers, but poor conductors of turning it into art, I am sure it took a few generations to get the math, and pressure points, and weak parts of the human body nailed down.
As for martial arts movies where real people are doing real choreography and stunts, that's really the bigger point of those movies, to display the talent. The story is something there to get us from scene to scene. And at times we are treated to stories that are just as good as the action.
Like a 80's B action movie, like Comando. Dumb as hell in premise and plot, awesome in explosions, muscles, and bullets.
I also don't really like the first two HP movies that much. And overall I find the series to just be ok. I think the world building is fantastic though, and that part is what keeps me interested, despite only watching the movies once, and never reading past the third book.
Hopkins does an excellent job as Count "Pierre" Bezukhov, in BBC's "War and Peace", from back in the day. BBC did a reboot recently, committing to less than half the run time, kinda like having 20-minute Star Trek episodes with a different cast (if it was animated, maybe that would work) and leaving out the plot, but leaving in the lasers and photon torpedoes.