The Mask of Zorro

If there was ever a movie of my childhood that was the definition of an epic romantic adventure, then The Mask of Zorro is it. Starring Anthony Hopkins, Antonia Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, The Mask of Zorro was probably the first PG-13 movie I ever saw and I remember absolutely falling in love with the story. 

In 1821, Las Californias, orphaned brothers, Alejandro and Joaquin Murietta, watch as their hero, Zorro, rescues several men from death at the hands of the cruel governor, Don Rafael Montero. For years, Zorro, the masked man in black, has been 'the man of the people,' rescuing and defending them from the tyranny of the greedy Dons who subjugate the common people during the Mexican War of Independence. Zorro himself is a Don, his true name is Don Diego de la Vega, an aging soldier who wants to live his life in peace with his wife Esperanza and their baby daughter, Elena. 

However, peace is not what Diego receives. His longtime rival, Rafael Montero arrives to arrest him upon discovering his identity as Zorro. Montero was in love with Esperanza which only fuels his hatred for Diego. When Esperanza is killed, Montero takes Diego's daughter to raise as his own and de la Vega, the former hero Zorro is imprisoned.

20 years later, Diego escapes the prison and unexpectedly runs into a familiar face. Alejandro Murietta. Alejandro and his brother were thieves who were constantly on the run. After Joaquin is killed by the unmerciful American Captain Harrison Love, Alejeandro seeks revenge. Captain Love works under Don Rafael Montero who has spent the last 20 years in Spain raising Diego's daughter. Now Montero has returned to Las Californias bringing beautiful Elena with him, although Montero has withheld Elena's birth as a de la Vega from her.

Both Diego and Alejandro seek retribution for the loss that they suffered from Montero and Love. Diego knows he is too elderly to fight, but he believes with the proper training, Alejandro would make an acceptable protégé. Alejandro's fiery temper and impulsiveness clashes frequently with Diego's old school training. Yet, when Alejandro meets lovely and outspoken Elena Montero, who is being romantically pursued by Captain Love, he begins to understand the worth he must obtain to become the next Zorro. 

A swashbuckling adventure that doesn't overshadow the themes of loss and redemption as well as the passing of one generation to the next, The Mask of Zorro is also humorous and witty, which keeps the story from becoming too dreary. Hopkins and Banderas chemistry as the teacher/student and eventually father/son was well done; every scene they were in was brilliant. 

As with most action/adventure male dominated storylines, there's usually a sole female and her character can either build or destroy the story. Safe to say, Elena de la Vega completely built her own independent character, while being the center-point in the lives of four different men. Catherine Zeta-Jones literally lit up the screen and portrayed Elena as bold, beautiful, intelligent and incredibly kind. Elena is an exceptional heroine and one of my favorite movie characters. 

High stakes and daring deeds are a plenty in this film. Not to mention an exceptional score and absolutely beautiful costumes! The Mask of Zorro is the ultimate historical romantic adventure that never grows old and never dies.