The Mask of Zorro

REVIEW
Banderas proves he can swash with the best of them in this very entertaining, big-hearted comic adventure which is a fun throwback to the Errol Flynn swashbucklers of the '30s and '40s. Giving the production a bit of added class, Hopkins is the masked avenger in the film's beginning. But years later, he's just getting a little too old for this line of work, and passes the mask onto ne'er-do-well Banderas -- though not without a lesson or two. Eventually, they take on a ruthless governor who is exploiting local peasants. As would be expected, there's lots of swordsplay and action, and quite a bit of comedy which is well-placed. Banderas cuts a fine romantic figure, as does the gorgeous Zeta-Jones who plays Hopkins' daughter, abducted and raised by the first Zorro's adversary.