The Mask of Zorro

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⭐ 8.0/10

(Originally written by Joseph)

Another movie while I ride this wave of 18th century-ish movies I loved as a kid. I just want to see people fight with rapiers! Unlike the other recent movies I've watched, this one was both my favorite (i dressed as Zorro for like six straight Halloweens) and also the one I've watched the least since I was a kid. I remembered zero events from this movie. I had no idea how it would hold up.

Turns out, not bad! This more plays out as a telenovela which is not my thing at all. But I think it works out here because it's supposed to be funny, so the drama out of left field feels more appropriate. The other stuff works great. The sword fighting is really, truly impressive, as are the stunts, and this almost had the same fun choreography as a Jackie Chan movie. And that's the highest of high praise I can give.

Antonio Banderas is great in this role, as are his white-playing-Mexican costars with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Anthony Hopkins. Also lots of good looks at a beautiful pre-industrial Mexico and lots of beautiful spanish accents to go around.

So yeah, fun, funny, and a passable plot. I had great taste as a kid.

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