Opened: July 17, 1998

Directed by: Martin Campbell

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stuart Wilson, Matt Letscher, Tony Amendola, Pedro Armendáriz Jr., José María de Tavira, Victor Rivers, Diego Sieres, William Marquez, L. Q. Jones, Julieta Rosen & Maury Chaykin

In a time before ethnically correct casting, The Mask of Zorro was a great action film with exciting moments from start to finish.

After Don Diego de la Vega (Anthony Hopkins) foils a plan to capture him set up by corrupt governor Don Rafael Montero (Stuart Wilson), his life is quickly destroyed. Years later, Diego trains the young Alejandro Murrieta (Antonio Banderas) as his successor.

Banderas is the perfect Zorro. By combining his comedic skills with suave flair and impressive fencing, you get a protagonist with a great development arc. Hopkins, Wilson and Catherine Zeta-Jones couldn’t be casted today, but all fare well.

The film contains non-stop actions with multiple scenes making you gasp from shock. Even though you know it’ll turn out fine, it still makes you anxious.

Final say: A Zorro we can all root for. ★★★★☆