What The Critics Say

"As it turns out, Legend of Zorro is a spirited, though fairly generic, action movie about a guy who habitually abandons his gorgeous wife, puts on black clothes and carries a whip." Robert Denerstein DENVER ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS "Energetic, star- and stunt-powered entertainment." Mark Keizer BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE "Despite its flaws, a swashbuckling, frenetic, fun family film." David Foucher EDGE BOSTON "It's not a perfect movie historically but it is pure fun from beginning to end." Jackie K Cooper JACKIEKCOOPER.COM "The new Zorro is one of the rare films that aim to thrill us while lampooning the adventure genre, and hit both bull's-eyes simultaneously." Colin Covert MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE "The Legend of Zorro is a cheerfully old-fashioned adventure, with a dashing hero and a spirited heroine played by actors who seem to be having fun with their roles. ....there's nothing awkward about the stunts and action sequences, involving improbable backflips, extravagant swordplay and dangerous activities atop steam trains. At these moments, the old-style Saturday matinee movie comes to life again." Philippa Hawker THE AGE ".....there’s enough here to please fans of the first film. The cinematography looks sublime at times, Banderas is as good as ever in his trademark role .... It’s also good to see a film that the whole family can enjoy together - something that’s low on body count, and steers away from the sexually suggestive or dirty natter that so many action-fests incorporate these days." Clint Morris WEBWOMBAT

The Inside Story "Nothing stay the same" they always say, so why wouldn't that rule apply to Zorro one would ask. "The Legend Of Zorro" is a prime example of that. This is a different Zorro than we've come to expect. Zorro has become a work-aholic and like anyone who devotes too much time on the job [as opposed to being 'on the job'] he's facing problems at home. It's hell being the citizens hero and everyone makes demands on him. His wife Elana is fed up with his lack of attention and his son Joaquin doesn't get any quality time with his father. In fact, the poor little tacker is so traumatized he hasn't a clue who dad is. Well according to Zorro's wife that is, but then you know how women tend to blow even the tiniest thing out of all proportion. Of course there's nothing worse than coming home from a hard, demanding day at the 'office', hoping the little woman has dinner on the table only to find you're on the receiving end of what seems to be a tongue lashing, but is in facy, a good old fashioned nagging. And then, right at the least inappropriate moment you're called back to the office. Then she gives you the big ultimatum. "Well, make up your mind. Is it your family or the job. Make up your mind. What's it gonna be." With the prospect of unemployment staring you right down the barrel you're done whatever choice you make. So you answer the call and before you know it, you're out on your own. At first it's OK but sooner or later, unless you come to your senses the rot's going to set in. Drinkings a good way to pass the time. You share your loneliness with other patrons at your local Cantina. It only leads to heavier drinking and before you know it, you are no good to anyone. With that in mind you have to feel for Zorro. Then you discover your wife is seeing another man. How much can you take. Gee it must be hell being a super hero, after all, you are just a mere mortal like everyone else. Sure you may possess a few exemplary skills with the sword and a whip, but couldn't anyone do the same with a bit of dedication and hard work? While similar scenario's have been played out in countless relationships from the time of Zorro [1850] through to the 21st century, the one good thing about being a fictional hero in a movie is, you're guaranteed redemption. Yes dear readers, rejoice, Zorro may be down, but not for the count. He'll bounce back I assure you. He'll be back on his faithful steed before you know it and then, watch out you bad guys! What? You think I'm just horseplaying around. Well then. Read on! "Zorro protects the common man. Not many heroes before him did that," says Martin Campbell, director of the sequel "The Legend Of Zorro". "He is really a man of the people. He doesn’t have any special powers or gadgets, only a sword, a whip and his wits. Mind you, there are some pretty extraordinary things Zorro does with those props, but ultimately he is a flesh and blood man, not a digital character like many of today’s superheroes." In fact Zorro's doing pretty good considering he's eighty seven years old. Yes it's true. Zorro was created way back in 1919 by Johnston McCulley for his novel, "The Curse Of Capistrano". Thanks to the magic of Hollywood, he doesn't look a day over fourty five. It seems everyone still likes Zorro [except for a few mean spirited critics over in the good ol' US of A] including producer Laurie MacDonald. "The reason I love Zorro, and think we can all relate to him more, is because he doesn’t have superhuman powers", she said. "He is an ordinary man. Sure, he rides a horse better than most and is expert at swordplay. But essentially, he is like any other man dealing with some very human issues." According to Antonio Banderas [the man who plays Zorro] it goes deeper because Zorro is a "character who is born from the people and gives back to the people. The people need somebody and Zorro is almost like a dream come true, someone who can save them from what they see as unfair and unjust." Boy, sounds like he's describing one of my favourite hero's from the late twentieth century. That no-nonsense, legend of a cop who had his own way of dealing with crims. Did you guess who? Last clue. Born 1971. That's right! Inspector Harry Callahan. A modern day Zorro who, with only his faithful Magnum gave us great satisfaction by giving criminals the right message. "Go ahead. Make my day." But back to "The Legend Of Zorro". Banderas was happy to return to the role once again. He believes the sequel has all the ingredients that made the first one so successful. "There was comedy, which is essential to this type of movie, well developed dialogue, and lots of adventure. Knowing that Martin and many of the people who had worked on the first movie would be returning, I knew it was going to be exciting to do." Catherine Zeta-Jones too was happy to return for the sequel. "None of us wanted to embark on a new adventure if we didn’t think it would have the same magic as the first film," she said. "When we saw that the script had captured that, well, we knew it was just a slam-dunk!" The years have passed by since "The Mask Of Zorro" and as we know Mr & Mrs Zorro did have a bundle of joy, didn't they? Joaquin has grown a little. The choice came down to came down "to two kids, one very talented actor from America and Adrian Alonso," says producer Walter F Parkes. Zeta-Jones says director Martin Campbell uncovered a gem when he chose Alonso for the role. "The adorable Adrian could be the next Marlon Brando if he puts his mind to it. He has that fantastic natural quality where he is not acting, he’s just being," she explained. "It’s hard enough to tell an adult to just be, but with a child it is much harder. The fact that he barely speaks a word of English blows my mind as well. Martin did this kind of Marcel Marceau miming thing with him and it worked beautifully." "Adrian is completely without self-consciousness and has this sense of comedy and timing, which is the most precious gift an actor can have," says Parkes. "I have never seen it before in a child actor." I must say I personally was greatly impressed by Alonso's performance. It is one of the many surprises in store for fans of Zorro, who should 'not' be disuaded from seeing the film. There is plenty of humour, excitement, adventure, swordfighting and another star too. Zorro's faithful steed. He is just so funny. As I said at the beginning, "Nothing stay the same". But who doesn't need a change now and then? Cast & Crew Bytes "THE LEGEND OF ZORRO" stars .......
Antonio Banderas ["The 13th Warrior", "Spy Kids I, II & III", "Frida", "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" and "Shrek 2"]; Catherine Zeta-Jones ["Traffic", "America's Sweethearts", "Chicago", "Intolerable Cruelty" and "The Terminal"]; Alberto Reyes ["The Wait" and "Santos peregrinos"]; Rufus Sewell ["Arabian Nights", "A Knight's Tale", "Extreme Ops", "Victoria Station" and "Tristan & Isolde"]; Adrian Alonso ["Innocent Voices" and "Al otro lado"]; Gustavo Sanchez-Parra ["Matando Cabos", "Cero y van cuatro" and "Vivir 1"]; Nick Chinlund ["Con Air", "Training Day", "Tears Of The Sun" and "The Chronicles of Riddick"]; Mary Crosby ["Last Plane Out", "Tapeheads", "The Berlin Conspiracy" and "The Night Caller"] and Michael Emerson ["For Love of the Game", "Unfaithful", "SAW" and "29th and Gay"] as Harrigan.
"THE LEGEND OF ZORRO" was .......
directed by Martin Campbell ["GoldenEye", "The Mask of Zorro", "Vertical Limit" and "Beyond Borders"]; screenplay by Roberto Orci ["The Island"] and Alex Kurtzman ["The Island"]; costume design by Graciela Mazón ["Desperado", "The Mask of Zorro", "Crazy in Alabama" and "Vertical Limit"]; production design by Cecilia Montiel ["From Dusk Till Dawn", "Crazy in Alabama", "The Mexican" and "Biker Boyz"]; edited by Stuart Baird ["Tommy", "The Omen", "Superman: The Movie", "Leathal Weapon I & II", "Gorillas in the Mist ", "The Last Boy Scout" and "Maverick"]; cinematography by Phil Meheux ["The Long Good Friday", "GoldenEye", "Entrapment", "Bicentennial Man" and "Around the World in 80 Days"] with original music by James Horner ["The Pelican Brief", "The Mask of Zorro", "Mighty Joe Young", "Bicentennial Man", "The Missing", "Troy" and "Flightplan"]. What It's All About 1850, and Californians are voting whether they should become the 31st state of the union. Zorro as always is on hand to ensure nothing goes wrong. It does but he saves the day. Alas, being a hero is causing his marriage to crumble. Forced to leave home, Don Alejandro de la Vega must search his soul. A bottle or two of wine is of little help. When Armand, a handsome French aristocrat takes an interest in his wife Elena, Don Alejandro is not impressed. It's bad enough being seperated from Elana and his son Joaquin but he's not about to be cuckold by this Johnny come lately Frenchman. Anyway, Armand appears too good. Then Don Alejandro witnesses and event which snaps him back to reality. Zorro is abaout to make a comeback and woe be tied anyone who gets in the way of his sword. The Verdict "The sequel to the smash hit "Mask Of Zorro" is a fanciful departure from what many have come to expect in telling the tale of this much loved hero. Too many hours on the job, a marriage in crisis, forced to leave the family house, binge drinking and a loss of respect within friends and the community? Hey, hang on! Doesn't that sound a little too familiar. "The Legend Of Zorro" could have been set in the 21st century but it isn't. It's different but rest assured there are plenty of Zorro trademarks here plus some very funny 'horseing around'. Certainly worth a look at. "The Legend Of Zorro" is recommended viewing." Who's Who?

Antonio Banderas Catherine Zeta-Jones Adrian Alonso Alberto Reyes Rufus Sewell Julio Oscar Mechoso Gustavo Sanchez Parra Nick Chinlund Giovanna Zacarias Carlos Cobos Michael Emerson Shuler Hensley Pedro Armendariz Mary Crosby Mauricio Bonet Fernando Becerril Xavier Marc Pepe Olivares Alexa Benedetti Tony Amendola Brandon Wood Alejandro Galán Leo Burmester Rayo Rojas Raúl Mendez Mar Carrera Pedro Altamirano Silverio Palacios Philip Meheux Matthew Stirling Pedro Mira

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Zorro/Alejandro Elena Joaquin Brother Ignacio Armand Frey Felipe Cortez Jacob McGivens Blanca Tabulador Harrigan Pike Governor Riley Governor's Wife Don Verdugo Don Diaz Don Robau Phineas Gendler Lupe Father Quintero Ricardo Constable Col Beauregard Polo Attendant Ferroq Marie Salon Owner Head Jailer Lord Dillingham Stoker Abraham Lincoln

Directed by Martin Campbell Screenplay by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman Story by Roberto Orci/Alex Kurtzman/Ted Elliott/Terry Rossio Character created by Johnston McCulley Produced by Laurie MacDonald/Walter F Parkes/Lloyd Phillips Original Music by James Horner Cinematography by Phil Meheux Film Editing by Stuart Baird Casting by Pam Dixon Production Design by Cecilia Montiel Art Direction by Tomas Owen Set Decoration by Jon Danniells Costume Design by Graciela Mazón Run Time 130 minutes Rated M [AUST] Copyright ©2005 - Columbia Pictures - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2005 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved