>> THE LEGEND OF ZORRO
Zorro is back. The alluring crusader seized cinema screens back in 1998’s The Mask of Zorro, the movie that simultaneously earned $250 million worldwide and resurrected the Zorro myth while presenting Catherine Zeta Jones with a career. It’s a case of better late than never as, approximately five years behind schedule, The Legend of Zorro finally arrives.
Antonio Banderas returns as Zorro, the gallant alter ego of Don Alejandro de la Vega, and the flirtatious and swathe hero who charmed the affections of Elena in The Mask of Zorro. Everyone’s favourite Welshie (that is, after Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Max Boyce, Kelly Jones, Rhys Ifans, Anthony Hopkins, Ioan Gruffudd, Colin Jackson, Ruth Madoc, hey, even Charlotte Church) Catherine Zeta Jones, is back in the role that earned her a place on the A-list and a home far from the green hills of home amongst the hills of Hollywood. Mrs Douglas claims the reason she decided to star in the sequel comes down to her thrill at gripping a long, sturdy sword and indulging in some serious swashbuckling.
It is 1850, ten years on from Zorro’s legendary role in establishing peace in California. Having reluctantly promised his wife, Elena, that he will lead a quieter life, he has shed his heroic identity and settled into family life with the couple’s son.
You know there’s going to be a big ‘but’ coming, don’t you? Oh yes. The same conniving forces that previously attempted to keep California from becoming part of the United States have been plotting to unleash a threat that has been 500 years in the making.
It’s time for Don Alejandro to don the mask, hat and cape once more as he takes on the most dangerous mission of his life. It’s going to be a comical and action-packed spectacle as Zorro risks all to save the day.
Pirates of the Caribbean has kept appetites for a bit of swashbuckling high, but will The Legend of Zorro satisfy? Well, promising that familiar winning formula of sword fighting, saucy senoritas and that sizzling Spanish hero, I see no reason why not.
Beccy Matthews