The Legend Of Zorro Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
This Fall, adventure begins with a Z.
The Legendary Zorro goes off on another adventure to protect the future of California and its citizens. This time, he fights against evil-doers with the help of his beautiful wife, Elena, and their precocious young son, Joaquin. Alejandro De LaVega is torn between two worlds: his life as Zorro and his life as a family man. After Alejandro once again breaks his promise to stop wearing the mask, Elena leaves him, and soon begins seeing Armand, a haughty French Count. But a mysterious explosion in the desert leads Zorro to believe that there's more to Armand than meets the eye, and our hero is intent on finding out what that is. Little does he know, there are others working to uncover certain truths as well.
| Alberto Reyes | Brother Ignacio |
| Julio Oscar Mechoso | Frey Felipe |
| Gustavo Sanchez-Parra | Cortez |
| Adrian Alonso | Joaquin |
| Nick Chinlund | Jacob McGivens |
| Giovanna ZacarÃas | Blanca |
| Carlos Cobos | Tabulador |
| Antonio Banderas | Zorro/Alejandro |
| Michael Emerson | Harrigan |
| Shuler Hensley | Pike |
| Pedro Armendáriz Jr. | Governor Riley |
| Mary Crosby | Governor's Wife |
| Catherine Zeta-Jones | Elena |
| Mauricio Bonet | Don Verdugo |
| Fernando Becerril | Don Diaz |
| Martin Campbell |
5.70 out of 10 (9048 votes)
Visitor Reviews
I Liked It, But A Change of Setting May Do Ya Some Good
posted on 24 Aug 2009In general I liked the movie, but I would have liked it if they had changed the time period to a later date. But first, let me quickly put down the pros and cons.Proschemistry b/w Alejandro and Elena (Banderas/Zeta-Jones); action sequences; further development of Elena's character; continuity with the first film; the film's unmasking sceneConsanachronisms or historical inaccuracies; plausibility of the plotNow I mentioned that the filmmakers should have moved the film's setting from 1850 to 1861. The current film makes it clear that the Civil War is years away, but I would set this film at the start of the Civil War--1861--for the following reasons.1) Doing so ages Alejandro/Zorro more and makes the issue of him retiring that much more pertinent because of his age. Here Alejandro is still somewhat middle-aged, and moving the story 21 years ahead makes his age a much more relevant issue. I understand that the filmmakers didn't want to feature Joaquin taking over as Zorro at the end of LOZ because they wanted Banderas and Zeta-Jones to come back for a third film. I still think that both of them could still come back for the third film--one where Alejandro is forced to come out of retirement and aid his son Joaquin (the new Zorro).2) This makes the current plot more plausible. As it stands, Count Armand and the society "Orbis Unum" intend to make what will be called nitroglycerin for the South, who will eventually use it. Why not have the society make and try to deliver the explosive for the South who are ALREADY at war with the North? Why do something for a FUTURE conflict?3) The 1861 setting brings another event into play, which could have been the film's plot instead. Count Armand is French. In the early 1860s France, along with the Roman Catholic clergy, backed the ascension of Archduke Maximilian of Austria to the title of Emperor of Mexico. Now they could have taken part of the plot--the manufacture of the explosive--and have that be part of France's oppression of the Mexican people, with France having future plans to take California (a rehash of the first film's plot). France's involvement in Mexico is true historical fact, and they could have instead made a plot involving this.4) The time change would eliminate the historical inaccuracies question that plagues LOZ. Did the Pinkertons exist in 1850? Why is Abraham Lincoln, here a lawyer sent to be a witness to the statehood ceremony, in this movie? Setting the film in 1861 eliminates these questions. The statehood part would be gone, but any presence of Lincoln now makes more sense, seeing as he was President at this time, and I'm sure the Pinkertons existed by this point. Things would "fit" better.So, I enjoyed the film, but I feel that if they had changed the setting to 1861, they could have improved the film. Now, I DO see how this film is somewhat in the "Wild Wild West" vein--using certain methods rather ahead of their time.However, I feel that changing the date to 1861 would have made things work better, or could have given them another good idea for the film's plot.
fun movie with anything special
posted on 22 Aug 2009The Legend of Zorro is no more than a popcorn flick. Many people went to see this movie expecting to see something of a classic, and they couldn't be more than wrong. The Legend of Zorro isn't a pretentious movie: it's just an average adventure movie, with a little bit of everything you expect to find in that kind of movie: great action, fights, some jokes, some romance, some mystery, and a happy ending. Actually, Legend is a correct production, but it doesn't have anything special, anything that will make you go "wow!". The aim of this production is just to provide some family fun, and it accomplish that objective perfectly. Just have fun.
World's Worst Sequel !!!
posted on 20 Aug 2009Antonio Banderas' first Zorro movie was a delight, comparable to the classic MARK OF ZORRO. However, this sequel is historically inaccurate to the point of making a cartoon buffoon of a traditional hero. As a person of Irish descent and a Christian I am personally insulted that the "bad guy" was depicted as a Christion wearing an Irish cross, and a woman's cross at that! I am extremely annoyed at the lack of imagination at Hollywood's latest stereotypical "bad guy" i.e., the radical , white, scripture quoting, so-called Christian bigot. The only demonstrable bigots left in America are Hollywood screenwriters! In addition, I found the anachronisms in this movie to be worse than those found in the cheapest "B" movie of times past. Some rifles used hadn't been invented yet by 1850 and heroes' wives didn't spend their spare time emasculating their husbands. The Gold Rush of 1849 brought great numbers of American immigrants to California and the Mexican population is confused with that of Texas. And on to the cartoonery-- Why does Zorro look as if he belongs in a Jackie Chan movie? If he is invulnerable to lead bullets, he should have worn armour. After falling from a great height, each "bad guy" bounced back like Wylie coyote. A torturous hot poker resulted in a yowl like the big bad wolf uttered when He hit Bugs bunny's stove. Why could Zorro only slash ropes while the evil characters killed innocent people? This movie did not permit the avenging of the oppressed. If the intent was to soften violence for an juvenile audience, it sadly fails. This movie was an attempt at poorly hidden political correctness and denies the audience another encounter with a great American mythical hero.
Makes up a bogieman for the bad guy
posted on 16 Aug 2009While fighting for freedom is all well and good, fabricating a "confederate" army in 1850 makes the movie seem like it's in a parallel universe. If this were sci-fi that would be OK, but the whole thing was so silly that I couldn't take anything else in the movie very seriously. This was too bad, since the action sequences and the chemistry between Zeta and Banderas was nice. The first Zorro movie also had some historical inaccuracies, but so obscure that it was no big deal. Especially annoying were the typical confederate stooge-types working for the bad guy. I know Hollywood hardly ever gets history right, but rarely does it get history so wrong.
Makes the sign of the ZZZ...
posted on 12 Aug 2009Anyone who enjoyed the earlier Mask Of Zorro would be well-advised to avoid this chore of a sequel.I don't know who was more bored by this worthless farrago - me or the people who made it. We know that Catherine Zeta-Jones is pretty/useless but at least she appeared to be enjoying herself in the original... maybe because she was actually given something to do back then. Here she drifts through the entire film with nothing but a nice frock and a disapproving look. I'll be generous and assume that chief villain Rufus Sewell's perpetual sneer is probably for the screenwriter.The few set-pieces would look hokey in the vintage Zorro TV series, but spread as thinly as they are over two hours and separated by over-egged, repetitive dialogue, they offer meagre pickings to the action-starved.On this evidence, it looks as though Martin Campbell will be the director to finally put Bond to the sword with Casino Royale (since director Lee Tamahori added to the embarrassment of Die Another Day with his cross-dressing antics). Adventures really don't come less adventurous than this.
What happened?
posted on 06 Aug 2009After the spectacular success (both box office and critical) for the first film, The Mask of Zorro, I was very much looking forward to this long-awaited sequel. Considering the fact that it took the filmmakers 7 years to get this one, The Legend of Zorro, off the ground, you would assume that the script would have been perfected, since both Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones decided to reprise their roles. And the score by James Horner is EXACTLY the same score as the first film - since I loved the first film score this one is great but repetitious (there isn't even any new musical themes!). I just hope if they actually do another Zorro, they respect the spirit of the first film. An average 5 out of 10.
Riddled with errors
posted on 04 Aug 2009Why was Abraham Lincoln at the ceremony admitting California as a state? In 1850, he was a lawyer in Illinois. He wasn't elected President for another 10 years.When Zorro is hunting through Armand's library, looking for clues, why is there a map with (at least) 48 states on it? In 1850, there were only 30 states! The map even shows California in it's current state. THE PLOT OF THE MOVIE WAS ABOUT California BEING ADMITTED FOR STATEHOOD!!! Also, if I recall, at the end of "Mask of Zorro", they had a baby GIRL...
What a Bad Movie
posted on 04 Aug 2009Why does Hollywood feel obliged to remake every masterpiece and make a sequel for every film that made over a hundred million dollars? The Mask of Zorro which is one of the best action films of the nineties and loads of fun really didn't need a sequel. If they had come up with a good story for it that might have worked but instead they made The Legend of Zorro. The Legend of Zorro is a horrible film, particularly in the plot/screenplay category. Nothing is explained so nothing makes any sense. For instance the film takes place in 1890, but they keep talking about the civil war that America is fighting. Who the heck wrote this? There are many other major flaws that I will not mention now. The film is also horribly directed and acted, it is hard to believe it is still the same Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta Jones. What a horrible movie, one of the worst of the year.
The Mark of a Legend
posted on 25 Jul 2009The legendary Spanish hero Zorro rides again in this long awaited sequel to the 1998 classic. Ten years have passed since Alejandro was recruited to replace the famous legend clothed in black. Now he is married to his predecessor's daughter Elena and has a son Joaquin (Adrian Alonso) but his life is not so content. Elena is neglected and worries that her husband and son are drifting apart and when Alejandro abandons her in the middle of argument to play the hero Zorro again she has enough and months later Alejandro is stunned to find his wife has sought a divorce. Determined to let to let her come to her senses Alejandro bides time in signing the papers convinced it is a test. His theories are shattered however, at a wine tasting ceremony he sees his wife on the arm of the handsome young Count Armand (Rufus Sewell) he is heartbroken to find that Elena has moved on and is a budding relationship with Armand and he goes out of his way to show him up. But as the relationship between Armand and Elena blossoms and marriage is discussed a startling revelation forces the de la Vegas back together to protect California and save its dreams of joining the united states. Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta Jones shine as the warring partners in the film but the main star of the show has got to be young Adrian Alonso who is just superb as Joaquin de la Vega, the young son of Alejandro & Elena. This sequel is not to be missed and look out for some funny anecdotes form Tornado Zorro's Horse.
Zorro and Family - Fun and Entertaining, but it's definitely a sequel
posted on 25 Jul 2009The wonderful Catherine Zeta Jones and Antonio Banderas reprise their roles as Elena and Zorro and are joined by their characters' son Joaquin (Adrian Alonso) in this fast-paced adventure set at the time of California's incipient state-hood. Alejandro's heroism is destroying his family in more ways than one, and the very fabric of 19th century Californian society is also being challenged by a threat of organized terrorism. Zorro, his wife and child must all pool their resources to fight threats to their family and their homeland.If this sounds like heavy stuff, don't be fooled, this is a lighter film, which feels a bit more like Shanghai Noon than the original Zorro. The stunt-work and sword-fighting are entertaining, over-the-top and not to be taken seriously.Martin Campbell, who appears to have matured into a very competent studio director (despite some questionable early efforts) does a very nice job with the directing,and the cinematography and editing are fine. The acting is all good - across the board. And if you happen to rent the DVD, you will definitely enjoy the extras which are nearly as fun as the movie itself.The film's greatest weakness is, not surprisingly, its script. Like most WGA scripts, the script comes across as having been written by committee, in an ad-hoc manner, and without much forethought or a central premise. The dialog is sometimes very weak, and the film is driven less by exposition and plot than audiovisual momentum. If not for the cinematography, acting talent, directing, and editing, this could have been a total wash-out.Recommended for fans of the original who can keep their expectations in check, and light action fans.
Too much buckle, not enough swash.
posted on 21 Jul 2009One of my favourite entries in Roger Ebert's book of movie clichés states that any movie with the word "legend" in the title will fail to live up to its title; "The Legend of Zorro," though not a stinker, pretty much follows that rule to the letter.This way-too-belated sequel to "The Mask of Zorro" brings back Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones and director Martin Campbell, but forgets to bring along the passion, high spirit and sense of adventure that made the first movie such fun; Zorro may now be a husband and father, but it's not the presence of the kid that makes the movie a disappointment. In fact, young Joaquin is so spirited that "The Legend of Zorro" might have benefited from being a look at Zorro third generation, since the man in the mask didn't start protecting fellow Californians until he was an adult - following the boy on an adventure, stuff like that. (That his action scenes are actually MORE exciting than his dad's reinforces this impression.) Unfortunately scriptwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci fluff the movie by awkwardly blending domestic problems - even unto divorce! - with what's basically a spy plot involving smoothie Rufus Sewell, making the movie sometimes seem like a bad episode of "Alias" minus Jennifer Garner (especially in an extended sequence with Mr. and ex-Mrs. Zorro sneaking around at Sewell's house, and in the climax on a runaway train). The movie might have helped from Kurtzman and Orci pretending they were back writing for said show or even "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" and gone for broke, but they don't; it's pretty unexciting for most of the time, and while the movie's sense of humour is a help sometimes, more often it just causes groans.SPOILER FOR THE CLIMAX.And as for the train finale, while FX Luddites may be pleased to see the train is a miniature rather than CGI, in this day and age there is no excuse for its fiery demise (complete with that of the villain) to be so obviously a miniature. Even if it is by WETA's Richard Taylor. (And hands up anyone who predicted that CZJ would make a joke about "The drinks are on me" - the evil scheme involves nitroglycerin in wine bottles.) END OF SPOILER.Zorro's son and the monk who plays Alfred to Zorro's Batman enliven the movie, and Antonio Banderas also gives more than he gets - but while it's ultimately an okay way to kill two hours, when it's over nothing sticks in your mind the way Zorro singlehandedly wiping out a group of men on horseback in the first movie does. Where there was spirit and a desire to pass on the torch, now there's squabbling. Ironically, it fits that "The Legend of Zorro," like the first movie, was executive produced by Steven Spielberg - it spends too much time Amblin for its own good.
comment for Zorro 2
posted on 19 Jul 2009I've watched this movie and i think it's really excellent ! Even my small siblings love it ! The actions in this movie are really great and the all the actors acted very well. I truly admire the director of this movie because he has used lots of techniques for this movie like suspense, humour, happiness, sadness etc.The part where McGivens attacked Gulliermo and his family, I really cried out because it was so sad. And when i started watching the movie, i guess all of us will think that the two men who kept following Zorro n his family are bad guys who worked for McGivens.But they are actually the agents. this shows that the director has planned everything so well that there are no parts that make viewers confuse. I really enjoyed this movie and i thought of watching it another time because it was so nice to watch. Zorro's son, Hoaquin was cute in this movie and it was so funny to see him being so naughty in school. he fought really well just like his father. they way Zorro fought was so macho n i really like it. Elena is so beautiful n she fought very well too. for the bad guys in this movie -McGivens, Armand etc., they acted really bad n made the viewers hate them and this is what people called good actors.Lastly, this movie is really nice to watch and i'll keep recommending this movie to all my friends.
okay, but unbelievable
posted on 11 Jul 2009Zorro is decent- The acting is almost perfect and the dialogue is average. Zorro's son's use of words is "modern" (including words not used in 1850) but is inserted for comic relief. One thing that really irritated me was the ending explosion. The "test" nitroglycerin explosion Zorro saw in the woods left a humongous crater with fires all around. When the entire shipment of nitro explodes it makes a much smaller explosion. Zorro, of course, dives behind a rock wall that appears out of the blue. This escape from imminent danger is very unbelievable and occurs throughout the course of the film. The action in this movie was not that incredible. ("The Incredibles" had cooler moves) Zorro flips, dives and rolls but it its hard to believe and it looks very CGI. Overall, the acting is superb and the script is funny and entertaining... if you overlook the incredibly "comic-book" style plot. Bjb, signing off.
A little disappointing
posted on 21 Jun 2009'The Mask of Zorro' from 1998 was charming, funny, contained some great action scenes and showed us a chemistry between Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, an actress not that well known back then. Now that movie has a sequel, 'The Legend of Zorro'. It is much less charming, is only remotely funny, has greater but also less plausible action scenes and separates Banderas and Zeta-Jones, now one of the leading ladies in Hollywood and an Oscar-winner. On the bright side, they do have a kid together, Joaquin (Adrian Alonso), who is too smart and knows too much about fighting, but is one of the nice things in this movie.So the story deals with the separation of Banderas, who of course is Zorro, and Zeta-Jones, who is Elena, their kid who hardly sees his father although he sees enough of Zorro (strange that a kid that smart does not recognize his own father behind a mask), some villains including McGivens (Nick Chinlund) and Armand (Rufus Sewell), who happens to be dating (if that is the word) Elena. Why they are villains I leave for you to discover although it is not that important anyway. They have to be there for the action scenes and that Elena is seeing one of them is a plot device to give us some twists and turns. The problem is that even those twists and turns are as predictable as they can be, making sure we do not really care about the story.There are some things that save this movie though. The action scenes are not plausible but they entertain and at least the sword fights are not completely edited away. There is some real choreography here. Banderas still makes a nice hero, Zeta-Jones still is a nice leading lady, it is just too bad they are not the team they are supposed to be. Also the jokes have their moments although they seem misplaced. Zorro's horse is turned into his sidekick and although it gives us laughs, the scenes around him are really only there for the laughs.In the end 'The Legend of Zorro' feels like a disappointment because it is compared to 'The Mask of Zorro'. If this was the first movie I think I would have liked it a lot more and was just hoping for a better sequel. Now this is the sequel, which is entertaining enough, but that is the best I can say.
Big debt at the story line!
posted on 17 Jun 2009The sequel for the first movie - the legendary Mask of Zorro upgraded to a "U.S.A. hero". It's the same common idea about the threats at the address of Unated States of America. I think it could be found something different! It's a little bit out of fashion, don't you think? I just don't get it - how to destroy something like a country? Sooner or later the colonists would form another state instead. Well, in rest is pretty good! Both Banderas and Zeta-Jones were at the expected highs. The brave Zorro fights against bad guys, hurting (killing) no one in battles! It's a difference between cutting the enemy with a sword in a fair fight and immobilizing him for a explosion - you don't get with dirty with blood on your hands, right? I think maybe because this would crumple a political image of the man wearing the mask of Zorro - in the end he got pretty close to circle of politicians ...as Zorro! (ready to unmask himself in front of everyone)
Sucked same way as Star Wars
posted on 30 May 2009First thought it was bad acting, but after consideration I'd say it was cheap directing that kept Legend of Zorro from being a great movie. It expertly had a bit of everything that makes an awesome movie, and was really refreshing because of the historic and human aspects.But it was just all thrown together, just one scene after the other until it was done. The weight/drama/authenticity of the marital tensions and wonderful humor wasn't allowed to occur. It could have been so easy, taking just a little more time to linger on an important scene, letting the drama unfold a bit. But apparently it wasn't considered important; all scenes just were treated the same.It's the same thing that ruined the new Star Wars movies. I agree it was a terribly amusing movie, and still pretty good family fun. But it could've been great. Think X-Men - those didn't need blood & guts either. It was rather distracting, smacking my forehead over and over : ) If you don't notice the difference, I wonder why you'd bother writing reviews.
Trite garbage
posted on 14 May 2009I want to start out by saying that the first Zorro was a decent movie, with good chemistry between the stars, fine action, and a reasonable plot. This movie misses the mark entirely. The movie pretty much starts with him throwing a hat at a villain knocking him off his horse. This could happen I guess, but it looks more like he was hit by a bowling ball, and not by a hat. The little kid is annoying. Having him taunt the bad guys with clichéd crap like, "you want a piece of me" is awful. Following this by having him kung-fu fight them, even worse. By the time the movie is over anyone with an IQ over 60 will probably hate all the characters involved. The movie is bad in all the ways thoughtless sequels are. If I had three wishes one of them would be that this director never got work again.
i enjoyed this movie
posted on 12 May 2009I really liked this movie.Antonio Banderas played Zorro better in this film than he did in the mask of Zorro. I really liked how we saw Catherine Zeta-Jones do more action and get into the movie better. Adrian Alonso played the son of Zorro with great Zorro like comedy and action.This movie had great action and passion. The villain's idea to take over the world was great.The bar of soap was a genius plan but Zorro wouldn't let that happen.I really thought that the would not get back together and it was a wonderful movie for the family.
Pathetic
posted on 02 May 2009This movie - as opposed to others, including the Mask of Zorro movie - is pathetic. The action is repetitive and lacks bite. Most disturbingly, though, the faces of the actors now almost seem frozen. Maybe you noticed that the facial expressions of the actors hardly ever change. Banderas manages to mostly smirk wryly. Zeta Jones has no impact on the total feel of the movie at all; what makes her acting contribution stand out is that she has her eyes open all the way. The bad guy Armand walks around with two facial expressions: one being an ever- smirking face and widely open eyes - with sometimes the other angle of the mouth dropping too, making it a 'scared' look. This movie should have been called "Everyone is Wearing A Mask".
Zorro's back again, better than ever!!
posted on 30 Aug 2009Zorro returns to our screens with everything that you wanted from him when you sat in your cinema seats. Charm, charisma and chases! Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones are reunited in this sequel and they did excellent together, just as they did in 1998! This time though, they don't have Diego De la Vega watching over them, it is up to Alejandro and Elena to sort out their problems, as well as everyone else's.This film leaves you smiling when you leave, and you can't forget it! Antonio and Catherine are excellent, Rufus Sewell puts on a French accent and sometimes returns to his character somewhat in 'A Knight's Tale'. However the person who really made this film amazing was 11 year old, Adrian Alonso who plays Joaquin; Alejandro and Elena's son. The cheeky boy has all the moves, charm and accent to make you love him! Go and see this film before it's too late, it's best to see it on the big screen than renting it!