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A mess from start to finish

First off, Can someone explain Rufus Sewell as a French nobleman to me please?

'The Legend of Zorro' is a perfect example of a movie being made simply for the sake of making money. It's obvious from the get go that very little time has been spent in trying to make this a sequel that both lives up to the original while telling it's own compelling story. On both fronts, it fails miserably. Instead, 'The Legend of Zorro' is merely a collection of tired old gags and visuals that, with the exception of having a few carry over characters, has little in common with it's much better predecessor. While occasionally funny, the hero of 'The Legend of Zorro' too often shares more in common with Jerry Lewis than the sword master he is suppose to be.

The story seems more interested in setting up cheap laughs than trying to develop any real suspense. For instance, almost every scene involving Zorro's supposedly fierce steed, feels like you are watching outtakes of a Mr. Ed episode (at different points in the movie he both smokes a pipe and drinks from a discarded liquor bottle). And don't get me started on the son angle. The number of adventure movies that have successfully incorporated a child into a predominately adult cast can be counted on one hand and 'The Legend of Zorro' is nowhere near adding it's name to that list. Apart from those annoyances, the story is so needlessly convoluted and dependant on such stupidity on the part of everyone involved to add tension, that it's hard to hold back a groan at the mess that is presented on screen. I honestly have to say that the climax of the movie, at least the part that involves the kid, is quite possibly the dumbest scene ever put on film. You may have to watch it a few times just to figure out why he even had to be there (I still don't know).

If you liked the original, avoid this movie as no good can come from watching it. On the other hand, if you haven't, go rent it instead of seeing this mess.

Neal Gillett

{17 votes}

October 26, 2005

Arsalan's Opinion: Almost missed the sequel wagon

I remember the good old days when sequels were not a norm. Zorro came out during a time when Hollywood hadn't figured out that sequels are the quickest and most profitable way of delivering another blockbuster film on time. I usually blame 'The Mummy Returns' for the entire sequel craze. Just as I had closed the basket on Zorro, I heard news of its sequel. The entire idea was dismissed by me though, as barely no marketing was done for it. It was either destined to go straight to video or be delayed.

Behold! The film is being released on time and I for one cannot understand why. TV commercials have just hit the waves and there is barely any theatrical trailer to go by. While the 2 main leads are back, it seems apparent that Mrs Douglas won't be spending much time in this flick much like Salma had a brief role in 'Once Upon A Time in Mexico'.

Expect to see a disaster the likes of 'Analyse That', as this is a sequel to a good movie that no one really wanted to begin with.

Arsalan Ahmed

{25 votes}

October 4, 2005

Stop with the Zorro!!

Can't they leave well enough alone? The first Zorro was basically fun. This sequel was a disaster. It can be summed up by cheesy acting in a film that was WAY too long. It seemed like they tried to fit as much storyline as possible in the amount of time. Much of the film should have been edited out, it was just way too long.

Cute kids are usually my soft spot. In this case, Zorro and Esmeralda's kid was not. He was cute, but could not act for his life.

Please stop! I'm pleading you, No More Zorro sequels!

May Espedido

December 28, 2005

Why The Sequel

Hollywood just seems to be amusing itself creating sequels for every single film which has been created. Now, it makes sense if the first part was a huge success and people want to see the continuation or if it ended up being a cult classic when it was released on video, however, there are some films which do not deserve to be turned into sequels and trilogies, etc. The Mask of Zorro is one of them.

I ask myself what the director of this film told himself as he decided to take this picture. Honestly, how does this film add to the first part. I mean ultimately, it's a sub-par version of the first film which adds nothing more to what we know about the character known as Zorro. The film has a couple of interesting action scenes and stars the lovely Catherine Zeta Jones but other than that, it is a real horrible movie. Honestly, stay away and Hollywood, please stop with the sequels!

Zachary Masoud

December 17, 2005

Kid Zorro

Banderas got into the movie business and became a sex symbol in Spain, then came to America. He is almost fifty years-old and has done over seventy films. A talented actor, he has played a veriety of roles but he excels in playing the Latin Lover Zorro. Martin Campbell is the producer in both Zorro movies, he is also making the next James Bond, in Casino Royale. I liked the Mask of Zorro but the Legende is more comical and very enjoyable. The story held together but was a bit exagerated. I didn't like the fact that Zorro's kid fights along side his father. I found it just takes out the seriousness of the whole movie.

Luciano Santavicca

November 1, 2005

The best Zorro so far.

This is the best Zorro and with Antonio Banderas , how could you go wrong. They gave us an image of a Zorro in this movie, of a man who is also a father figure. His beautiful wife Catherine Zeta-Jones is also a very sexy wife , good partner and a mother. I don't know the little boys name , but he is as good as Zorro. This movie is exciting and funny and the perfect movie for the whole family.

Maria Cecillia Silva

{2 votes}

October 29, 2005

Oh! Catherine!

I just think Catherine Zeta Jones is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen!

For me it doesn't matters that it's almost 8 years or more since "El Zorro" was released, everybody in the cast it's in perfect shape to give life to their characters again.

I mean, the first movie wasn't one of the greatest hits back then, but maybe and just maybe there could be a slight diference on this one.

I'm looking forward to watch this one, if not for the action and adventure, I'll watch it because of plain curiosity.

Ivanna Ruink

October 26, 2005

Action!!!

I have just a thing to say; this movie's trailer was very good. I hope that the movie will be good to. For sure, there will have a lot of action. I hope this second part will be like the first; with a lot of action but funny to.

I wasn't a fan of Antonio Banderas, but I saw some of his films and I changed my mind about him. He was really good in so many films (like Desperado). And I think it won't be different in this one.

If we look about Catherine Zeta-Jones, she's gorgeous. She was excellent in a lot of films (like Entrapment and America's Sweethearts).

For sure, I will see this film on theatre.

Murielle Boucher

October 26, 2005

Zorro - who was that masked man?

Corny title, I know, but it fits. Anyway, I have never seen the first one they did like 7 or 8 years ago but I hear that one made a star out of Zeta-Jones and was a overall fun affair. So I guess I'll be renting that one and watching this one since this movie seems to be generating some buzz and overall good time at the movieplex.

The trailer I saw seemed to take their shenanigans in another misfit adventure. Seems a little formulaic but a good time nonetheless. You've got to take it for what it is. Gonna go check it out after the rental. Ciao.

Angelo Vernucci

{3 votes}

October 26, 2005

Zorro Rides Again

I recently attended an advance screening of this film. I thought that this film was better than

the first one. I was glad that Antonio Banderas returned as Zorro and also that Catherine Zeta Jones returned as his wife.I also thought that the stunts and the action sequences were

well done. I also enjoyed the cinematography and the musical scores. For those of you

who enjoyed the first film, you will not be disappointed with this one.I highly recommend it.

Steve Rodrigues

October 18, 2005

Nothing but stunts and back flips

The first movie was kind of fun in that it had the "Count De Monte Cristo" spin on it in which Antonio is a hapless loser who goes into hiding and is trained by a master swordsman to seek his revenge.

In this film he's already a legend, he's rich and he's having marital problems.

Not exactly a recipe for fun eh?

The whole point in writing an action film is that the hero must always face insurmountable difficulties achieving his goal, or it's just boring.

In The Legend of Zorro, we have the greatest swordsman in California spending the first 10 minutes of the movie doing back flips off buildings and single handedly battling 20 men (armed with guns mind you) and he doesn't even pull a groin muscle defeating them. Where do you go from here?

He loses his mask and his identity is uncovered, but instead of exploring the consequences of this, the bad guys just blackmail his wife in a preposterous sub plot when it would have made more sense to get Zorro himself to do the dirty work.

For the next 2 hours we get snippets of his loveable cherub faced boy wreaking havoc with a slingshot and leaping over abusive priests like Errol Flynn. We have a whole family of ass kicking acrobats!! What ... um... fun?

The movie reminds me of Will Smith's "Wild West" except that it has even less charm is possible.

Catherine Zeta Jones' accent is cringe inducing and her acting isn't much better.

I really liked the first film but this has none of the charm unless you think that scenes of a horse smoking a pipe are hilarious.

The bad guys can kill Zorro's friends, they can kill his priest (sort of), they can try to kill his wife and his child and all that they ever get in terms of retribution is kick in the ass or a bonk on the head with his sword hilt. If they do die then in stereotypical Hollywood fashion it has to be because their clothes get snagged on something or they are impaled by their evil invention.

Truly terrible.

James Harrison

{2 votes}

October 18, 2005

The film still looks like fun...

Ok, you might not say the first Zorro film was an instant classic or the perfect movie but you'd have to admit that it was still fun to watch. The elements of action and swashbucklin were there and you don't find that in too many movies nowadays (besides of course Pirates Of The Caribbean). After seeing The Mask Of Zorro, you really can't imagine anybody besides Antonia Bandera in the role

You have the two main actors back plus the original director from the original, it's true that it still might not guarantee a hit but from the trailer, it still seems to promise that you will still have good a time with the film...

Chau Ngoc Levan

October 16, 2005

Very good

I don't think anyone was more right for this part than antonio. Catherine did an excellent job. she looks the part. and put in a great act. i'm glad the sequel is being finally made if there was to be one done. they aren;t getting any younger. the saving climax Zeta Jones and fight scene of zorro and villain stand out in this flick. if you like an hispanic guy in a tight black suite, with a cap, mask and hat...and an excellent display of swordsmanship and action...i recommend this film.

Ger Madden

{6 votes}

October 4, 2005

Zorro - a second time?

Why does everyone think Antonio Baderas and Catherine Zeta -Jones will be so great in this flick?. Antonio - I can't ever understand a word he's saying! And as being the masked avenger, it will be even tougher for me to understand anything he plans to say. I guess this movie would be fun one to watch. But sometimes, sequels aren't always the best route to take. You can't dry out a movie further than it can go. AFter that, it just gets pointless and boring. Catherina Zeta Jones also hasn't been too great in her past films. Other than th epart that these two will look good together, I don't really know what else they are banking on.

Meghna Patel

{10 votes}

October 1, 2005

Another re-made flop?

I don't understand the need for filmmakers to keep rehashing tired old ideas, especially when they already did it several years ago and they were reaching for a storyline then.

They're bringing back the aging duo of Antonio Bandera and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Admittedly, I'm not the biggest fan of these two, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that they have both past their primes. Banderas should probably stick to voice-acting (Shrek 2) and older father-figures(Spy Kids, 2, 3D). Catherine Zeta-Jones' career has been short but stuffed with films (she's averaged more than 1.5 per year). She hasn't exactly peaked my interest, and she certainly hasn't grown more talented (or attractive) with age.

Much of the writing/directing staff are returning for this second modern installment so the Zorro's Legend should have much the same mood and feeling as his Mask.

Craig Smith

{7 votes}

September 12, 2005

Liked The Mask of Zorro

There's a differing of opinion between myself and those who have commented on this film and it's predecessor: I liked the Mask of Zorro. I thought it was a throwback to all those early action-adventure pics from the 1930s and '40s, kinda like the Indiana Jones films. Anthony Hopkins was great as usual, Antonio Banderas was good as a thief turned hero, and the introduction of Catherine Zeta-Jones to North America left me speechless. Therefore, it is with great anticipation that I look forward to the Legend of Zorro because the director and much of the cast of Mask of Zorro return. Contrary to what anyone else says, I think this'll be good.

Basil James

{13 votes}

April 5, 2005

Pre-emptive critique of...LEGEND OF ZORRO

1998.

In case you're wondering, that's the year Hollywood's modern version of THE MASK OF ZORRO came out and officially introduced the world to the future Mrs. Michael Douglas herself, Catherine Zeta-Jones. In case you're also wondering, she's the only reason this movie is even happening.

Antonio Banderas has more than overcome whatever limitations he has as an actor and become a solid performer in movie after movie (ok, so some of those movies were stinkers but he was at least trying to improve his craft) whereas Catherine Zeta-Jones has managed to glide by on her looks more and more without significantly deepening her performances. Once in a while she'll get a director that pushes her into being a solid actress but mostly she's been playing variations of the same haughty ice queen with the pornstar body for some time now. If anyone needs or wants this movie it's her. Hey, the gal needs her screentime even if it is in a substandard project.

The statute of limitations on sequels long ago expired for ZORRO. The first movie was a glossy ghost of what a ZORRO movie should have been like so I can't imagine who thought this would be a sound investment.

They should have saved the money and just made a videogame with it.

Pedro Eggers

{39 votes}

October 4, 2004

I still enjoy watching Zorro!

I use to watch Zorro when I was a kid. Many years have passed, and I still enjoy watching this story. In this case, the plot, and pacing of the movie was well constructed. The actors are quite convincing in their respetive characters, so much that you end-up profundly drawn into the story. It was a definetly worth the time I've spent on my couch!!

Valerie Augier

March 5, 2006

Zoro

the movie was boring and there wasn't alot of action.There was a poor story line and I was so dissapointed.There was no real moral to this movie and the love scenes was week.There wasn't enough drama either.I wouldn't watch it again.

Maryam Richardson

December 30, 2005

Zorro

Antonio Banderas was made for this movie. Watching him move, talk gave me shivers. I think that he is such a great actor. He is sexy, good to look at and listenning to him talk makes me happy. His acting is not bad either and this movie is good. I am not much of a person who likes these kind of movies, but he makes it worth while to watch. There is a good storyline, actors are great.

Louise Lacroix

{1 vote}

December 28, 2005

Legend of Zorro

Great movie it had the whole audience involved, laughing, awwing,and tossing you back in your seat with ouch cos of good (you can feel it) scenes.

Didnt know if I would like it as I find sequels tend to fade with expectations of the first.

This is a definete good to see movie.

Sue Kartzmark

{1 vote}

October 24, 2005

Why not

The first movie was good and full of action so obviouslythere was going to be a sequel. I dont see why people are surprised by this fact, a lot worse movies have made lot worse sequels. You can't expect too much depth in this sequel, as long as there is going to be action and a decent storyline be happy. There are very movies that you should expect very good sequels from these days. When there's a sequel to deuce bigalow there is no way you can complain about this sequel. It should be a good movie full of action and just take it as that, an action movie.

Ritesh Patel

October 22, 2005

Z is not for Zorro

Thats right, Z isn't for Zorro its for Zero, as in how many people who are going to see the film. I saw the Mask of Zorro and that was great and i loved it, but for each good turn they have to make a bad one. Theymade this "Legend of Zorro" sure it has Catherine Zeta-Jones but thats the only thing going for this film.

My opinion is wait for the DVD to come out then see the movie, cause if a person even goes to see it they will make more and never stop.

Kyle Harvey

{1 vote}

October 4, 2005

Zorro 2?

They had an interview the other day with Banderas and Jones about Zorro 2 and I just didn't get this feeling that they were really into it. Actors usually sell their movies well but in this interview neither actor looked like they had a passion for this sequel. That doesn't make me feel great about the sequel.

Sam Truglio

{1 vote}

June 18, 2005

Why bother?

Is there really a reason to make this movie now? The last one they did barely had anything to do with the Zorro I grew up with. They had Anthony Hopkins playing him and Banderas was his apprentice who just took up the mask. Catherine Zeta-Jones is beautiful but as an actress she's just not that good so it's probably smart to use her in an action movie like this instead of a big drama. They waited too long to make this sequel.

Juana Cabezas

{6 votes}

January 7, 2005

Hated the First Zorro Film

I'm really surprised that they have made another Zorro film because the first one was really bad and it was not an adventurous film at all. I have a feeling that people will tune out from Zorro 2 because they are tired of hearing about Zorro and he's antics about saving the world.

I find that Antonio Banderas is not really that good an actor and is in the movies because of his good looks. If you really want to watch this film, go ahead but don't say that I didn't warn you.

Carmela Sicurella

{6 votes}

September 6, 2004

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