If you’re looking for something with the swashbuckling adventure of The Mummy, filled with charismatic performances and thrilling action, then look no further than The Mask of Zorro, currently streaming for free on Pluto. The 1998 film is a reboot of the classic movie serial hero, who first appeared on the big screen in the 1920s and became a pop culture phenomenon. Antonio Banderas has never been more charismatic as the title character, trained by the original Zorro, played by Anthony Hopkins. Throw a young Catherine Zeta-Jones into the mix, and you have all the ingredients for an action-adventure classic, which may have been the inspiration for an animated hero.
‘The Mask of Zorro’ Recreates an Icon for a New Generation
Set in 19th Century California, The Mask of Zorro follows the story of Alejandro Murrieta (Banderas), a reckless outlaw who is recruited by Don Diego de la Vega (Hopkins), an aristocrat who fought as the masked hero Zorro until he was captured and imprisoned by the corrupt Don Rafael Montero (Stuart Wilson). Alejandro is taught the skills and responsibilities of Zorro by the newly-liberated Don Diego, so that the pair may exact their revenge on Montero and the ruthless Captain Love (Matt Letscher). Alejandro complicates matters when he falls for Elena (Zeta-Jones), Don Diego’s daughter who was taken from him as an infant and raised believing Montero was her father.
The film was directed by Martin Campbell, known for kick-starting the Bond franchise twice with Pierce Brosnan’s debut, GoldenEye, as well as Daniel Craig’s first 007 adventure, Casino Royale. The British filmmaker frames the movie very much like a Bond adventure – glamorous locations, daring escapes, and seduction are all at the heart of what makes it so entertaining. Just as Campbell’s Bond films revamped a decades-old character for modern audiences, The Mask of Zorro feels like a renovation for a Hollywood institution.
Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones Make a Great Team
Having made his name in European cinema, Banderas broke through as a leading man in Hollywood as a gun-toting musician in 1995’s Desperado, bolstered by strong supporting performances in Philadelphia and Interview with the Vampire. As Alejandro/Zorro, he is both a folk hero and a performer. Disarming his opponents with a flourish and a smile, it’s easy to see how he can continue the enigmatic legend that has been passed on to him. Such a hero needs a romantic interest who is more an ally than a damsel in distress, and Zeta-Jones’ Elena matches Alejandro move for move, forming a bond through their secret vulnerabilities.
They do, in many ways, mirror the chemistry of Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in The Mummy, and why they have become such an enduring on-screen couple over the years. The combination of a rough-and-ready scoundrel and a more refined heroine makes for some crowd-pleasing moments, such as their initial face-off where each of them show off their sword-fighting skills. When combined with the presence of a legend like Hopkins, who provides a link to the previous films as well as an idea of the character’s legacy, and you have a trio that light up the screen.
‘The Mask of Zorro’ Led to Banderas’ Iconic ‘Shrek’ Character
The Mask of Zorro led to a sequel, The Legend of Zorro, in 2005, but perhaps the biggest mark of its legacy would come in the animated world. Banderas was cast as Puss in Boots in the sequel Shrek 2, and the characterization of the seductive, adventurous fantasy character was heavily influenced by the actor’s performance as Zorro. The hat, clothes, and carving his signature with a sword all mirror the legacy of the live-action character.
It would prove to be a great choice, as Banderas would play the role in two more Shrek sequels as well as two Puss in Boots spin-off movies. At this point, to an entire generation, he is arguably more famous for playing the charming feline than he is for playing Zorro. However, those looking for the origin of that success need only look back to 1998 and the movie that started it all. When you see Banderas leap and slice his way to justice, you can see the live-action roots of Puss in Boots forming.
Zorro may yet ride again in the future, with an adaptation of the Django Unchained and Zorro crossover comic reportedly being developed by screenwriter Brian Helgeland. For now, however, Antonio Banderas remains the most recent occupier of the famous mask, propelling himself to action stardom and making the kind of movie that merges Hollywood’s past and present.
