The Mask of Zorro is a 1998 ‘swashbuckler’ move directed by Martin Campbell and featuring Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Now, I don’t expect anyone to have watched the original TV series (I know I watched only snippets here and there) or to have read the books by Johnston McCulley (yes, just like James Bond, there was a series of books that inspired the character), but I think that at least everyone knows about the fictional character. Zorro is basically Robin Hood but set in Mexico and instead of fighting against the king, he fights against the Spanish colonialists; he is the hero of the people and that pretty much covers it.
Bear in mind that I’m not too familiar with the entirety of the lore, but in the movie they add some details and nuances that I personally found quite pleasant. Zorro, the one interpreted by Anthony Hopkins, is already a symbol of revolt and a freedom fighter for the people. Early on he is discovered and imprisoned for twenty years, he then escapes and eventually finds his way to get revenge while also training young Antonio Banderas who will take his place. What is interesting to me is that The Mask of Zorro adds almost a Count of Monte Cristo touch to it. Anthony Hopkins becoming a mentor to Antonio Banderas and teaching him not only how to fight and protect himself, but also how to behave, adopt a façade of nobility when needed, interact with others and be sly and cunning (just like a fox) fits with the story and makes up for some fantastic moments and banter. The movie has good pacing, differentiating between when it needs to be funny and light-hearted, when it needs to be fast paced and action-packed or when it requires to go slow and express solemnity and emotion. I will add that I personally found the acting on point through and through between the calm, confident and wiser portrayal of Anthony Hopkins, the cocky, arrogant and fast-to-arms interpretation of Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones’s strong-willed and passionate rendition.
The theme of legacy becomes an important one: the older generation leaving space to the younger one while watching over it, understanding where the arrogance and impudence comes from but also patiently teaching and staying by its side. It is a used trope, to be certain, one that I would not call refreshing, but still a functional and compelling one. Furthermore, the mask and the cape must be passed on as the symbol of resistance against injustice must not disappeared due to old age and this is something that is akin to some of the best superhero stories out there.
Finally, now that more than 25 years have passed, this is potentially a movie I would like to see as an IP; don’t get me wrong, I am not asking for a remake, I would never want that. But to use the same IP, create a story, use once again Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones as the version of their characters in their old age and write a good story to once again find a new Zorro on whmo to bestow the mask and the cape seems like a winning idea. It could still be an exploration of the theme of legacy and symbolism of resistance, or even have Zorro in his old age needing to take up arms yet again but realizing his limitations given by his age (something in the style of Miller’s The Dark Knight returns). Movie studios hire me, I can help. However, in the name of God don’t make a remake that simply imitates this one; that would be laziness, and laziness in this writing endeavour simply won’t do.
PS: The tango scene featuring Banderas and Zeta-Jones remains iconic and the credits soundtrack by Marc Anthony and Tina Arena (I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You) is a fantastic piece of music.
I would give this movie a 7 out of 10 “pointy end goes into the other man” (on how to use a sword, since it’s apparent that I must clarify).