A few years back a film called the "Mask of Zorro" provided fresh film version for Zorro, the legendary swashbuckling vigilante. Ably played by Antonio Banderas, he brought Zorro back into the public's attention.

I can't pretend to remember the first movie, though I do know that it was alright. So I'll concentrate on this movie instead.

This film is set ten years after Zorro's mild mannered alter ego married his love interest (ably played by Catherine Zeta-Jones). Things are not well, as one might have hoped. Zorro is still playing an important role in keeping the peace in California as it votes to join the United States, but his wife wants him to spend more time with his son.

After an argument, Zorro finds himself divorced and doesn't take it very well when Zeta starts dating a rich Count. In one of the more enjoyable scenes in the film we see a very drunk Zorro trying to dance.

There is plenty of action, but it does take a long time for the movie to get going despite a cool opening sequence which shows Zorro retrieving a ballot box from thieves. The storyline was believable and the acting was also, but it unfortunately failed to keep me on the edge of my seat.

see also:
Pirates of the Carribbean: On Stranger Tides, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Ocean~s Thirteen, Tim Burton's The Corpse Bride

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photo © Columbia Pictures.