With: Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Adrian Alonso, Rufus Sewell, Michael Emerson, Alberto Reyes, and Julio Oscar Mechoso

RATING (0 TO ****): **

Well, where should I start? Just about everyone I have talked to who has seen this film has told me they were disappointed. I could not get them to give me a real answer as to "Why" they were disappointed they just said they were. Of, fine for them.
The film is a sequel to the first Zorro film, taking place some ten years after the end of that movie. Don Alejandro de la Vega (Antonio Banderas) and his beautiful (Catherine Zeta-Jones) wife live together with their young son, Joaquin (Adrian Alonso). Before I go further, let me say that young Joaquin deserves his own film. The kid is a great shot with his slingshot and his acrobatic skills would be the envy of anyone. Of course, I don't know how much was done by a stunt double, but still in all the boy is talented and has a future in front of him, if he just stays away from Paris Hilton and drugs. He was the best thing in the movie, next to Catherine Zeta-Jones that is.
After Alejandro and Elena have a fight, Vega moves out of the house and spends the next few months drunk and just partying. During this time, Elena has begun seeing a Frenchman named Armand, played by Rufus Sewell with a strong interest in helping the South win an upcoming war with the Northern states.
Seems he has discovered a very powerful explosive and plans on using it to bring victory to the Confederate States.
I won't go into how this is done. Using a bigoted, religious madman names McGivens (Michael Emerson), Armand is forcing the peasants off their land by any means necessary, including murder.
As the story progresses, we discover what Elena is really up to and watch as young Joaquin begins to see his father in a brand new light.
Yes, the film is one long stunt film but so what? Did you go to the movie expecting to see Shakespeare? I didn't, I went for some good old-fashioned escapist fun. And the hope to see Catherine Zeta-Jones come out of a river or something soaked. In a white gown. But, I digress.
The stunts are best when they are so over the top as to be unbelievable; like jumping on a moving train while still on your horse, fighting off dozens of bad guys while hanging to a scaffolding with one hand, jumping, spinning, twisting and finally one scene still on that train where Zorro and Tornado, his horse, are about to have their heads removed by a tunnel. Zorro comes up with a great way to save them both. And it is one of those moments where you find yourself holding your breath, even though you know things are going to be fine.
Jones plays her part just fine until a moment occurs when she has to run away from a dinner table. For some reason this scene just didn't fit with her character. I think instead of running, she would have picked up a knife and tried to fight her way out. Not a big thing, I just was not happy with that part of the film.
Now, problems and yes, there were a couple. First, Armand has a map that shows the continental 48 states. In 1850 long before some of the states entered the U.S. or the territories were staked out or named.
Also, I don't think they Confederate States were in any shape to be planning war in 1850 since they only existed between 1861 and 1865. But, I guess the director needed a villain and who better then psychotic religious nuts and bigoted white men, right?
Thank the celluloid gods that no one else on the planet is evil. I mean, what would the world do for villains without the Christian religion and white men?
The Legend Of Zorro runs just over 2:10 minutes, and is rated "PG" due to scenes of violence and action, some rough language and would be acceptable for kids around 10 and up.
And now, before I close out I would like to offer a big welcome to the new manager of the Modesto Regal Cinema. His name is Matt and he comes to the theater from Stockton where he worked at the Holiday 8 Cinemas at 6262 West Ln. You might remember my comments about this unit from my "Venom" review a couple of weeks ago. Did you read it? Well, go on I can wait.
"I met her on a Monday and my heart stood still, they do Run Run, the do Run Run."
Ah, your back? See what I was saying? Nice, clean with employees that were very well trained and courteous. I expect to see great things starting to happen in Modesto in the next few months.
Good luck to you, Matt.