The Legend of Zorro *** (2005, Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Rufus Sewell) – Classic Movie Review 2317

Seven years on from their The Mask of Zorro hit, Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones are still stupendous as Mr and Mrs Zorro in director Martin Campbell’s welcome 2005 sequel.

Alejandro de la Vega (Banderas) and Elena (Zeta-Jones) now have a feisty little 10-year-old boy, Joaquin (Adrian Alonso). But, quarrelling over whether Banderas should carry on in clandestine activities as the masked avenger, the couple fall out and divorce. Banderas sets off to vanquish a new villain, sneaky French aristocrat Armand (Rufus Sewell), who plots to take over both Zeta-Jones and the new state of California in his role as head of the sinister Knights of Aragon.

Gorgeous looking but over-long, the adventure takes its time to get into top gear. But, when it finally does, it has all the zest and brio of the original, with thrilling swordplay, cheeky humour and fiery acting.

On the downsides, the domestic setting gets in the way of the action at the start, a quarrelling Zeta-Jones appears chilly until it is revealed that she’s actually a Pinkerton agent, the ancient secret fraternity plot is a bit hackneyed, the kid’s very large role in the story is an irritant and there is trouble propelling a none-too-dynamic movie for the first hour or so.

However, there are plenty of upsides too. Phil Meheux’s stunning cinematography, the beautiful production (set designer Cecilia Montel) and the lovingly crafted direction are quite outstanding, though, and the film’s last 45 minutes really do deliver the goods. Pedro Armendâriz Jr also returns from the first film as Governor Don Pedro.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2317

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