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The Legend of Zorro  (2005)

Plot Summary

Don Alejandro de la Vega, aka Zorro (Antonio Banderas), and Elena (Catherine Zeta Jones) have been married for 10 years and have a young son called Joaquin (Adrian Alonso). It's 1850 and the people of California have a chance of becoming part of the United States but there is political unrest as there are those opposed to the union. Zorro is called upon by the local people to help them by letting them to vote to become citizens of the United Sates as they wish.

Elena is fed up with Zorro's double life of family man, and crusader for the people. She feels that he puts others before his own family. Zorro has a dilemma, he feels that he has a responsibility to the people but he doesn't want to let his wife and son down. Meanwhile their son, like his father, appears to be leading a double life…

The Legend of Zorro
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Review

I had high expectations for this film having seen the trailers which promised adventure, excitement and fun, and in fairness, as promised, there is plenty of swashbuckling sword-fighting. Some of the stunts, which don't rely on computer generated graphics, are impressive. There is even some nice funny moments. However, in spite of what sounds like a fun movie I was extremely disappointed with it. There is no avoiding the 'been-here-before' feeling to the movie with nothing new or original being introduced. Another problem is that the plot is unnecessarily complicated but instead of being intriguing it's just a bit silly at times.

Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones look great and help lift the movie a little but it is probably the little boy Adrian Alonso who plays Zorro and Elena's son Joaquin who steals the show as far as performances go.

Bottom Line: Some fun moments but not nearly as good as The Mask of Zorro.  No need to make a trip to the cinema - wait for the DVD.

Reviewed by Sharon Swift, Premier Movie Reviews 2005.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:  ANTONIO BANDERAS:  Once Upon A Time In Mexico,  Shrek 2 (voice).  CATHERINE ZETA-JONES:  America's Sweethearts,  Chicago,  Intolerable Cruelty,  Ocean's Twelve,  The Terminal.  RUFUS SEWELL:  A Knight's Tale.

 

Genre: Action/Adventure

Director: Martin Campbell

Certificate: The Legend of Zorro was rated PG by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. may be watched by unaccompanied children of any age but Parental Guidance is recommended.

Violence = moderate. Drugs = none. Sex/Nudity = none. Language = none.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: The Legend of Zorro

~ Main Cast ~

Antonio Banderas

 Catherine Zeta-Jones

Rufus Sewell

Nick Chinlund

Adrian Alonso

RATING

ONLY IF YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO

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