The Legend of Zorro

The first film was one of the most entertaining adventure film of recent times, with perfectly chosen leads in Banderas (Shrek 2s Puss-in-Boots) and Zeta-Jones (then a nobody), an accomplished and intense action director in Campbell (who did GoldenEye and is set to do Casino Royale), good balance of swashbuckling action, passionate romance and amusing comedy, with a great soundtrack to boot. In fact, the same fast, chaotic hand-claps and foot-taps start off this movie. It’s been years since the story last ended, Alejandro and Elena now have a kid, their marriage is beginning to look unstable, and the great Zorro is actually contending retirement. He doesn’t know his son and his son doesn’t know his legend.

The Inciting Incident that stops that from happening is the arrival of Frenchman Armand, who is involved in a dastardly plot which involves utilising some super-weapon to prevent California from joining the Union and destroy the inferior races, Zorro and his people. Can Zorro stand aside while all this is happening? Can an alcoholic keep away from alcohol? (Yes is a perfectly probable answer, but then there would be no movie) The action sequences are just as fun as the last one. The opening sequence sees Zorro handling a dozen armed men; and then there’s a runaway train sequence hinted at in the trailer. Alejandro’s son Joaquin manages to steal many of the scenes from his Papi. If there’s anything to complain about, it’s the horse becoming the not-exactly-needed comic relief and the fact that efforts were made to make sure the film stayed in PG territory.

Not quite as great as the first one, which admittedly set standards very high, but if you wish to experience again the passionate Mexican myth that was Zorro with his sword and Z-marks and want something light and stress-relieving, this is well recommended.

Sebastian Ng