One Line Review: It’s a safe bet to say that ‘The Mask of Zorro’ is the best film of 1998. Cutting edge.
Youtube Trailer The Mask of Zorro
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones
Director: Martin Campbell
Release Date: 17 July 1998
Introduction
On this day, The mask of zorro made its way into the theatres of Hollywood for the first time ever. It’s a safe bet to say that it made itself a pretty big success by hitting $250 million in U.S. only. Let alone the worldwide collection. So, why this movie was Iconic, and what it has to offer to us? Let’s look.
Iconic dialogues from this movie
Don Diego de la Vega: You have passion Alejandro and your skill is growing. But when to Montero’s world I must give you something which is COMPLETELY,..beyond your reach.
Alejandro Murrieta/Zorro: Ah yes? And what is that?!
Don Diego de la Vega: Charm.
Alejandro Murrieta/Zorro: And what is that?….
Don Diego de la Vega: [chuckles] Convince Montero that you’re a gentleman of stature,…and he will let you into his circle.
Alejandro Murrieta/Zorro: Me?…..A gentleman?……Hmm..This is going to take a lot of work.
Don Diego de la Vega: [blows a puff of smoke] Yes…
Critic Reviews
“The Mask of Zorro” rises above the banal Hollywood action film due to the fine performances of Anthony Hopkins and Antonio Banderas as the old and young Zorros.” Common Sense Media
Plot Summary
In the prison when Zorro receives the news of the return of his sworn enemy Montero, He escapes and returns to his old headquarters and trains a drunk boy who had no hope for life to be his successor. Montero on other hand uses the daughter of Zorro, who he raised as his own, to win against the Zorro and to rob the big gold deal in California.
A promising film and why it was an Iconic Release
It is not the modern film that is Hollow, meaningless and an insult to intelligence. The Mask of Zorro shows its real self with its quality screenplay, dialogue delivery, super acting performances, and of course a ton of swordplays.
When I was editing the ‘I, Robot’ article my friend bombed into my room without knocking. (India. It is what it is). He asked me if I have something to eat, apparently coma he was having midnight pregnancy cravings. Anyways, I went to the kitchen to grab some snacks, and by the time I came back to my room, he already had my laptop into his lap and was sitting relaxed like a Duke. Surprisingly he was reading my article. He immediately asked, “why are you praising an old and obsolete film of the 2000s? You can have 10 times better shit than that on Netflix.”
It hurt me. A bit. But It was a valid question. I explained to him the concept of the iconic release of the day and why I praised the movie. You si technology changes every hour or maybe every minute (if you know how silicon valley work). The thing you enjoyed yesterday might get old tomorrow but it certainly cannot change the greatness you felt about having that thing yesterday. Like this film, it was an icon of a promising film during the year of its release. It might be old today. But, that cannot undermine the greatness it bought during its time. We address that greatness in the iconic release of the day. We address and remember the nostalgia. This film had everything to enjoy about. It was great. It is great. It will be great.
The fusion of action, story, chases, nostalgia, and swordplays
The film had an abundance of action and chases. It is like fast and furious but with horses, a Terminator but with swords, and The Die hard but in an open world.
The story is worth dying for. Not literally, though. The characters have a depth and a strong arc of their development in them. I once saw the History ® documentary of Genghis Khan. It was very accurate and brutal. I got the same vibes from this film. Maybe because I’m really into ancient history films. Or Maybe because this film is worth dying for. Again, not literally.
Conclusion
Mask of Zorro was the OG of its time. It does not matter how irrelevant it is according to today’s standards. By this logic, Every MCU and DC film will end up in trash cans 5 years later. What matters is the greatness it created. That what We talk about here.
