Flashback Friday: The Mask of Zorro (Campbell, 1998)

Robin Hood. Django. The Lone Ranger. These are just a handful cinematic heroes who have appeared in a multitude of films and sequels, oftentimes having very little to do with one another (besides the central hero himself). These movies, popular in the 1940's and 50's, brought repeated heroes that captivated audiences back to the big screen. Another popular hero was the character of Zorro, a Californian vigilante who protected the people and fought against the corrupt Spanish who ruled over them. In the late 1990's, the character of Zorro returned to the movies, in the form of a man who would become one of Spain's most prominent actors. It eventually became one of the best swashbucklers in the better part of two decades. Today on Flashback Friday, we're putting on The Mask of Zorro.

The character of Zorro was created by pulp writer Johnston McCulley in 1919, and since then has become a staple of film, television, comic books, and novels. Much like Batman and Robin Hood, he fights for the greater good, the poor who otherwise cannot defend themselves. His secret identity is Don Diego De La Vega, a Spanish nobleman living in California. In The Mask of Zorro, Don Diego is played by Anthony Hopkins, who had long desired to star in an action flick. The role was originally written for Sean Connery, who after months of stalled development had to leave the project.

The Mask of Zorro had a troubled start, with Steven Spielberg initially spurring interest in the idea in 1992. After the script was written, the film was passed along to several directors who all dropped out to pursue more stable pictures. Robert Rodriguez, the at-the-time much discussed director "cheap" movies, was eventually hired in 1995 due to his ability to work under a tight production budget. He brought Antonio Banderas, the star of his own El Mariachi and Desperado, to play the titular character.

However, when Rodriguez refused to budge on lowering the budget, TriStar asked him to leave. With Banderas still attached to star, the studio turned to Martin Campbell to direct. Campbell was fresh off his success on the James Bond film Goldeneye, and he agreed to direct The Mask of Zorro instead of the next Bond movie, Tomorrow Never Dies.

The Mask of Zorro furthers the tale of Don Diego De La Vera (Anthony Hopkins), who at the beginning of the picture decides to retire from his life of heroism, and settle down with his wife and baby daughter. However, a series of events leads to his imprisonment, and bent on seeking revenge against the corrupt Don Rafael Montero (Stuart Wilson).

Years later, Alejandro Murrieta (Antonio Banderas) and his brother live their lives as successful thieves, but during one botched heist Captain Harrison Love (Matt Letscher) ambushes and kills Alejandro's brother. Fueled with rage and eager for revenge, Alejandro comes across the path of Don Diego, who soon identifies himself as the hero once known as Zorro. Don Diego agrees to train Alejandro to be the next Zorro, so that each may exact their destinies.

Meanwhile, a beautiful woman named Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones) captures the eye of Alejandro. Zeta-Jones was introduced to American audiences in The Mask of Zorro, and quickly earned her title as one of the world's most beautiful women. She is greatly talented as an actress, able to integrate heavy dramatic emotion, comedy, and physical prowess into her performance. She herself credits this movie as her breakthrough film.

Martin Campbell again proves himself as a capable action film director, because he can combine emotion with the action. The sword fights and horse chases are a ton of fun. The drama scenes are just as amusing, with lots of humorous dialogue and situations, as well as touch of heart, too. In fact, the party scene may just be the best part of the movie. But above all else, this is an action flick, and in that regard it doesn't fail.

The Mask of Zorro works because it is a mindless swashbuckler, yet has a fairly decent plot. It's highly entertaining to watch, despite the near two-and-a-half hour runtime. Some '90's touches none-withstanding (the hero emerging from the fog in the first frame, and slicing the iconic "Z" into the screen; the subdued sexuality; lots of largely unnecessary explosions; the "poppy" end credits love song), the film is a lot of fun.

So, pick up your sword, fire up your Netflix Instant queue, and get ready to have some good old-fashioned fun.